Kanchipuram is the oldest city of India and traces its history to 2nd century BCE.
Today's topic is Kanchipuram Saree - A perfect topic for Diwali 2021.
Wishing you all a very happy Diwali !
A glimpse of my Kanchipuram Trip in December 2016.
Kanchipuram located in the state of Tamil Nadu is known for different reasons today other than Mulberry Silk.
The December 2004 Great Tsunami that occurred in South Indian Coast unearths a lot of granite sculptures that belong to the 7 Sea Shore rock temples built in 725 AD, which today belong to the group of monuments of the "Sea Shore Temple".
From the December 2016 Trip.
The Sea-Shore temple located on the Mahabalipuram beach that overlooks the shore of "The Bay of Bengal".
The beach on which the Sea-Shore Temple stand.
The 2004 Tsunami has dug up many granite sculptures on this Sea-Shore.
According to the Ancient Mythology and the Vedas ; Gods and Goddess did not wear silk made of Silkworms ; The Master Weaver Of Gods "Sage Markanda" is known to have woven Silk Tissue From Lotus Fiber for the Gods.
Kanchipuram Silk Weavers are the Descendants Of Sage Markanda.
Kanchipuram Silk is made by pure mulberry silk thread and Zari.
The patterns of the saree are being taken from Sculptures of Temples and reproduced on silk sarees in the form of Peacock, Elephants, Leaves, Mangoes and various Spiral designs.
Earlier the saree was made in 9 yards and now keeping the practicality in mind it is also available in 7 yards.
Earlier the saree was made in 9 yards and now keeping the practicality in mind it is also available in 7 yards.
I have explored a new way of draping a saree.
This is a mix of Maharashtra Normal + Karnataka Warrior Women style - MY OWN STYLE STATEMENT.
Each draping style is an assertion of self-expression. This style is making me feel at my sensual best.
Presenting you Tillana ; one of the last item of Bharatanatyam Margam Syllabus.
My outfit is a KANCHIPURAM DESIGNER SAREE !
I want to inform you all that Kanchipuram designer saree's are also available.
Designer wear have 40-50% Mulberry Silk.
Original Song !
Now lets explore the Saree Revolution in India.
As humans we have come a long way with respect to evolution ; and women A LONGER WAY. Women today are enjoying "MOBILITY" which was "UNHEARD" about 200 years ago.
During the pandemic the mobility and outdoors have reduced ; Confined to 4 walls of home today we women and also men know and have the first hand experience of what it feels like not to be allowed to go OUTDOORS.
In the Women Empowerment Phase of 19th century with the increase in the mobility of women outdoors the sister in law of Rabindranath Tagore - "Jnanadanandini Devi" reinvented saree in the way we continue to wear today. Jnanadanandini Devi added Blouse and Petticoat to Saree. The 9 yards were reduced to 6/7 yards. The style came be known as NIVI DRAPE.
Jnanadanandini Devi Tagore ! She was married to Satyendranath Tagore the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore.
Today Women in each part of India have their own way of draping saree keeping in mind comfort and convenience which resulted in tying saree high ; wrapping it around loosely and tightly ; and sometimes looping in between legs.
However the innovation of the women of Tagore family - NIVI DRAPE eventually galvanized the entire nation.
A Kanchipuram designer saree with a NIVI-DRAPE most common across India.
Jnanadanandini Devi Tagore is the best example to prove that - "The Indian women have the ability to constantly change and reform themselves without losing INNER CORE".
"Indian women have the capacity to imbibe the best from other countries and progress continuously without losing the INDIAN CORE".
I wear shorts at home during summer and i also wear shorts for Hiking-Outdoors. I prefer to wear a saree for wedding and other occasions.
However some women want to venture into PRE-NIVI DRAPE ERA.
I have seen many women confessing with a HINT OF PRIDE that THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO WEAR A SAREE? and i find it very DISMISSIVE of our culture and heritage. This is not TRANSFORMATION. There are women who find immense ego in mocking the age old saree tradition.
Evolution of women should not happen at the COST OF INDIAN CULTURE.
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