The Cultural Significance of Sarees in India

An ethnic saree is more than a piece of cloth or stylish garment, it is an emotion. A feeling that rises above fashion and finds a special place in the heart of every woman. For a bride, the saree becomes a sacred garment whereas for a mother it embodiments grace as she nurtures the family. For a working woman, it symbolises professionalism and during festivals, it is worn for the vibrant celebration.

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention with reference to saree weaving clusters states that it “undoubtedly distinguishable as the Indian woman’s traditional attire and is essentially a valuable Indian contribution to the world’s cultural heritage and diversity.” Whether you celebrate saree as an art form, cultural heritage or traditional values, they occupy a profound space in the Indian landscape. 

Follow along for a deep dive into the world of ethnic sarees, where each fold is worth adoring:-

What makes Ethnic Sarees Special? 

Central to our motherland, India, these traditional sarees are deeply rooted in our culture. It has been borrowed by several other cultures in various forms and styles. For instance, the ethnic saree has been redefined by several designers, resulting in the birth of saree gowns. Another fascinating invention that you might love is the saree skirts, where the pallu is stitched to the bottom in a fashionable manner.

Be it the zari borders of the Banarasi saree to the mythological scenes printed on the Baluchari saree from Bengal, ethnic sarees are truly charming. Let us share with you why these cultural sarees are so dear :  

• They are a chapter of history that has been woven over centuries for us.
• We love them for their versatility! Worn at our homes, workplace, festivals and even in contemporary fashion shows.
• Reflect unity in diversity where each part of India is represented by their saree.
• Cotton, silky or chiffon, you decide what you feel comfortable in.
• The colours are special for us and hold spiritual meaning.
  

The Art of Weaving in Ethnic Saree Making

The beauty of the Indian landscape lies in the diversity with each region showcasing different weaving methods. The very act of weaving allows us to continue age old customs and keep the handlooms alive. While machinery does have its advantages, it has ruined our artisanal quality. Nonetheless, weaving styles such as the Patola weave from Gujarat and the Kanjeevaram weave from Tamil Nadu impress us, to this day.

An important aspect that many of us overlook is the role of weaving techniques in the saree folds. In this case, the material that we use and texture directly impacts the flows and folds of the saree. If the weaving technique in your saree is bad then the whole structure and pleats are at risk.

The Craftsmanship and Wondrous Art

At Moora, we embrace slow fashion to create the best of sarees for our lovely customers. Many traditional sarees are created by rural artisans from all over India who give it their all. We take pride in our ethnic sarees that are made using techniques such as hand block painting and Dabu printing.

Did you know that a single Paithani saree can take around six months or even longer to create? The silk threads for the body and borders are interwoven separately, making it a labor-intensive process. A similarly intricate technique is used to create a Kalamkari saree, where artists use a pen and follow a meticulous 23-step process to achieve the perfect colors. Such meticulous tasks are only a part in making a good ethnic saree that stands out from the rest of the crowd.

Cultural Significance of Ethnic Sarees Across Generations

Just like a painting that is worth a thousand words, each saree tells its own story. In the Hindu culture, Red Banarasi sarees and Kanjeevaram are worn during weddings. We witness how the saree becomes a sign of respect during puja/worship, when the women cover their heads with the pallu. 

Anindita Chatterjee in her analysis opines that the saree “has been reborn as a popular cultural wear due to globalization and social media.” We notice the same developments when the saree is used to bridge the gap across generation, emerging as a symbol of womanhood. In festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja and Navratri, these sarees again become an important part of our Indian society, making the celebrations more joyous.

Why Choose Moora for Your Ethnic Sarees?

Despite the enormous popularity of the ethnic saree and regional diversity, we often find people opting for low quality and mediocre pieces. The problem does not lie in you, rather the poorly mass produced, inauthentic options that ignore traditional craftsmanship. Our ladies carry their heart on their sleeves without compromising on style.

Here are 3 reasons to choose Moora today to upgrade your saree game : 

• Unmatched quality : All of our sarees, whether made from Mulmul Cotton, Chanderi Silk Cotton or Maheshwari Silk Cotton, are crafted meticulously by artisans and not cheap machinery.
• Sarees for everyone! : We understand that sarees can be very subjective in nature and thus, offer a riot of choices. From festive and Indigo to contemporary and vintage, we have them all in our vast collection created just for you.
• Authentic techniques : Ethnic sarees with authentic hand block painting and Dabu printing that echo excellent craftsmanship.
  

The cultural sarees that you are looking for are right here with many hand block printed cotton and chanderi silk options available. Explore our curated collection and flaunt your elegance with pride.

CONCLUSION

We can conclude that ethnic sarees are not just garments but a symbol of Indian heritage. They are ingrained in our society, acting not only like a fashion statement but holding spiritual significance. Each region in India offers its own unique saree styles, showcasing their artistic expression.