Saree Part Two

The first Saree I ever bought, Completed!
The Girls all Fancy

Scott's Idea to make a Triangle Formation _ The Guys
*Scott is a cheerleader for VA Tech

Summer SIP 2011 Group = Family

Finally got the saree pieces back in one piece and I was anxious to try on this decorative tablecloth. So my next door neighbor, Meg, and I decided we would give it a shot. Upon first try I could barely move. I stumbled upstairs to my resident area director and she stifled a giggle while ushering me to the corner to help me put it on properly.

The time came where I had to seriously wear the Saree and this was during our cultural night/goodbye dinner to the Nordic students. All of us crowded in one of the international girls' rooms while my resident director with pins in mouth and hand, waded through the vast amounts of cloth on each girls' dress.

In the end I think it turned out pretty nicely, and we enjoyed a nice night of jokes, storytelling, great food, dressing up, and going out afterwards in the city.

Saree Style

Saree

Is it time for a new wardrobe?? I definitely thought so looking around me and seeing all the locals wear beautiful garments like the one above called a saree. They also wear elaborately designed long shirts or almost dresses with tights and scarfs (these can be called salvar kamis or kurtas). Never really having any of my own saree, I knew I had to get one and what better place than, well, India?

There is a process to getting the saree. Essentially this garment is a piece of cloth as long as a tablecloth, and its a one size literally fits all type deal because you are supposed to just wrap it around your body until it snuggly fits you. There are many different styles and some are more conservative than others, but in all, the effect is that of a prom dress.

Unique. That is one word to describe the plethora of sarees I see every day; the one my professor wears to class boasting of an elegance and intelligent demeanor, the one the local woman wears while carrying a jug on top of her head, the elaborate, flashy ones with all the gems and designs that the young girls wear to look fashionable, the simple ones the elders wear that emit a conservative attitude, and the one I too will be wearing within the next few days.

Shilparamam is the birthplace of my saree adventure. This is the craft village marketplace where I bartered for the fabric, obtaining it for a meer 500 rupees, or $10. The fabric was a beauty with bright orange flowers, peach stems and curly q's, and in its entirety a deep teal that looks like perfection against my skin tone. Little did I know I would need about ten more pieces to complete the entire garment and that these pieces would have to be specially tailor made to my measurements.

Getting a saree is an entire process and consumed my entire afternoon today. But it was definitely an experience learning what elements make up this traditional indian dress. From the thick cotton fold at the bottom, to the petticoat underneath the skirt portion, to my favorite, the half blouse that is styled as elaborately as you wish, the saree is truly designed as an exhibition of beauty. No saree is the same. I look at each girls and gasp with awe and delight; "That is soo pretty, oh wow this one is soo unique...ahh I love the color of that one". I have begun a habit now of photographing my favorite ones.

Although mine is more of a daily wear or casual wear saree, it is still extremely pretty. It has just the right amount of contrasted color and it is also bedazzled with silver gems/beads. The tailor will be cutting the neck in an almost heart shaped v neck line with a contrasting teal sleeve. The back is going to be a broad low v with teal lace in an elaborate border pattern. It all sounds exquisite so I am anxious to see the outcome of this traditional indian dress. All this will be done in two days at the cost of no more than 200 rupees or $4 = DEAL.

Moral of story: Shopping must be done in India and Sarees are the "it" item to purchase.

Priyanka