6 Things About The Marathi Saree That We Bet You Didn't Know About

Marathi sarees have a very grand and celebrated history and the authentic Marathi sarees are known to be very auspicious for the newly-weds in the Marathi culture. Maharashtrian women always don an authentic Marathi silk saree for the wedding and other festivities to pay their respect to the Marathi culture. Today we are unveiling all the amazing yet hidden facts about Marathi saree. To know more! Just read along.

1. The Origin

Image Courtesy: Amruta Khanvilkar's Instagram

Marathi saree, also known as Nauvari saree, has a very rich heritage and the original thought behind the invention of this drape is the most liberating feeling ever. Nauvari saree got this name because of its length of nine yards.

2. The Ultimate Need

During the war times, just to showcase their calibre and to strengthen their physical capabilities, Marathi women invented this dhoti like saree draping style. The ancient Marathi women wanted to accompany their husbands and fathers to fight against foreign intruders. To make their attire look like a comfortable trouser, they invented this unique saree draping style. A tradition Marathi saree derives this essential thought that, if need be then our home-maker, the mother can transform herself into an instant warrior to protect her loved ones.

3. The Aesthetics

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When it comes to aesthetics, Marathi saree have witnessed many substantial changes yet somehow it manages to retain the original grandeur. The fabric has gone through a dramatic transformation from cotton to silk. What started as an essential need became a source to reflect great culture and vogue!

The original Marathi saree was very limited with colour options like blue and green and now it is duly evolved and comes in many cheerful and rich colours like pink, orange, bright yellow and gold to depict the rich and luxurious Marathi culture. Even the embroideries have sobered down with time.

4. Style Guide For Marathi Saree

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Like the draping style, Maharashtrian women are very specific about the kind of jewellery and makeup that goes along with their nine yards of perfection. Marathi saree looks best with gold Maharasthrian jewellery. Classic gold necklace sets are a great deal in Maharashtrian culture. They love to style their Nauvari saree with gold, nose pin, necklace, earrings, bangles and Kamarband (a classic gold belt).

Marathi women have an undying love for Gajra and mogra flowers. Nothing pleases Marathi women more then a bunch of mogra flowers laced around their low-buns in the back. A half-moon style Bindi and hands full of green bangles are also very essential in Maharashtrian culture.

5. Types Of Draping Marathi Sarees

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Different women from the Maharashtrian community have their own take on the draping style of a Maharashtrian saree. Like the older women form the community still follow the traditional Marathi saree draping style. The modern Marathi women have a contemporary version of their Marathi saree draping and then there is Koli style Marathi saree draping from the regions of Goa, and Pheswai Marathi saree draping style is also very substantial for the Marathi culture.

6. Types Of Marathi Sarees

The most sought after Marathi saree is the "in vogue" Paithani silk saree (looks best in Pheswai style draping). Kholapuri silk saree is the most commonly worn saree in Marathi culture( looks best with dhoti drape, the contemporary one) and then there is Banarasi silk saree, the royal silk saree along with Uppada silk saree.

a. Contemporary Maharashtrian Style Saree Draping 

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This is the more convenient version of traditional Marathi saree. It is better to know as dhoti style saree. This amazing style of saree draping has a very rustic and countryside feel to it. The best part is no underskirt is required for this saree draping style yet the beginners can use a pair of cycling shorts as an under the cloth. To know the draping style, just follow through:

i. Start by draping the saree around your waist. Keep the rest of the saree on your right and leave a length of one yard on the left side. Now pick two ends and tie them around the middle of your waist(while leaving one-yard length on the left). Now pick the lower end of that one yard and tuck it into the back, going between your legs.

ii. Pick the un-tied portion from the right side and start making five to six pleats and now tuck those pleats in the middle waist, facing left.

iii. Grab the pallu and make four to five pleats. For the crisp look, you can secure the pleated end of the pallu with a safety pin. Now bring the pallu in the front going through the back and place it over the left shoulder. Now you can re-do your shoulder pleats nicely and Voila! Your Marathi saree is ready.

b. Tradition Marathi Saree Draping Style

Image Courtesy: Rohini Karkade's Instagram

Traditional Nauvari saree draping is still very similar to how it was once invented. Many older ladies in Maharashtra still drape this type of Marathi saree. This draping style brings them closer to the heritage and values of Marathi culture. To know the draping style, just follow through:

i. First of all, drape your saree along your waist leaving a considerable amount of fabric on the right side. Take the left end of the saree and tie it towards your right. Secure it with double knots.

ii. Take the width of the saree along the pallu and start making neat pleats. Drape them around right to left and back to front. Place the pleated pallu on the left shoulder and secure it with a safety pin.

iii. Drape the inner border tightly around the bust line, take it around the back and tightly tuck that on the left side.

iv. Now start making pleats from the loop of fabric. Start from right and while doing so, leave the fabric for one pleat on the left. Turn the pleats towards the right side and wrap the pleats with the saree edge we spared. now pull some inner fabric from the centre waist and pull it over the pleats and twist the inner fabric to secure the pleats safely.

v. Stretch open your legs and divide the centre pleats into half. Grab the mid fabric edge and take it to the back through between the legs and tuck it into the centre back and make neat pleats.

vi. We are almost done, just secure the shoulder pleats and voila! We are through with your Marathi saree.

c. Peshwai Marathi Saree Draping Style

Image Courtesy: Chiranjeet Kakade Photography

Peshwai Marathi saree is strictly worn by women from the upper-class brahmin community. They take great pride in preserving and the depiction of their rich heritage through their saree draping style.

This saree drape is also known as Brahmini Saree Style. The basic saree drape is very similar to the traditional Marathi saree, the only difference is the front pleats. To know more about the saree draping style, follow through:

i. While diving the pleats, leave more portion to the right and less on the left and now pick the edge and tuck it in the centre back portion.

ii. Now come back to the front lower pleats and grab the edge from the right leg and while making a curvy shape, tuck it to the left side and voila! You are done.

Marathi culture is very rich and their heritage has a very big place for its special Marathi sarees and the equally fascinating draping styles. We hope after reading this article you will understand the importance and auspicious value of Marathi saree and culture and the importance of their silk sarees.

Look out for our saree vendors to find the right drape for you.

Written by Nikita Sharma