Passapalli Ikat Saree

I have worn this Passapalli Ikat saree here before. This stunning saree is woven in Sambalpur. It has double ikat. It is evident from its Passapalli motifs. You can also see lotus and some birds in the aanchal. It has small checks which are very tedious to weave through tie and dye ikat technique. The colour is gorgeous Cerulean blue.

Sambalpuri Saree

Sambalpuri saree is an Odisha weave. This Bandha saree has a Jhoti design. I had worn it here before. I think the previous styling was better than this one. A Sambalpuri saree is a traditional handwoven ikat or sari or saree (locally called sadhi) wherein the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving. Sambalpuri sarees are known for their incorporation of traditional motifs like shankha (shell), chakra (wheel), phula (flower), all of which have deep symbolism, but the highpoint of these sarees is the traditional craftsmanship of the 'Bandhakala', the Tie-dye art reflected in their intricate weaves, also known as Sambalpuri "Ikkat". In this technique, the threads are first tie-dyed and later woven into a fabric, with the entire process taking many weeks. These sarees first became popular outside the state when the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi started wearing them. The Sambalpuri sari is made from fabric woven on a hand-loom and is popular throughout India. Sambalpuri fabrics reflect an original style of craft known as Baandha. Traditionally, craftsmen created Baandhas with images of flora or fauna or with geometrical patterns. More recently, new types of Baandha depicting portrait, landscape and flower pods are being designed

Odisha cotton saree

As I wrote in my previous post here, if I am repeating the saree at least twice in a year, it is a success.  Because we women have two problems- that we do not have enough sarees and that we do not have enough occasions to wear our new sarees.  There are some sarees lying in our wardrobe, waiting to be worn for years. I am guilty of having innumerable brand new sarees, with tags on, that are waiting to be worn at the right occasion. I am a saree addict. 

I do not understand how women of my age, dress identically like their daughters and take pride in that. The bandage dresses, the off shoulder tops, the cigarette pants, the distressed jeans do nothing to flatter them any which way. They are not elegant or classy. They ooze oomph and objectify women but certainly do not make her look regal and royal. Shopping for sarees is so therapeutic. You choose sarees from different states and the choices are innumerable even within the same state. Then getting them ready- fall, pico, blouse, etc is like a festivity, like a marriage function happening at home with a lot of hustle and bustle. Sometimes we go to a shop with friends and relatives in tow and feel the fabric and choose the sarees that salesmen show by draping on themselves or on us and modelling. The other times we visit online websites and scroll through each and every piece before adding them to our shopping cart. Whichever way it happens, having a new saree is always a reason to celebrate and rejoice. 

 This saree was worn previously here.

These pictures are of Mommyland and I am seen with my gorgeous mom. 

Train journey in a saree

If I am repeating the same saree at least twice in a year, it is a success. It means I am valuing them, using them, cherishing them and getting full use of them. I had worn this saree here earlier with a completely different styling. Looking back, I also feel that the style is evolving.

I really wanted a train picture in a saree and recently, I got the opportunity to have one. Travelling in a saree is comfortable, unlike what many women believe. I just made sure that I wore a simple cotton saree to travel on a train and not any fancy one. Before boarding the train, I made a quick stop at the Delhi Crafts Council to shop for some exquisite sarees.