The sari unravels in face of practical concerns

Sensuous and glamorous for sure, but whatever happened to the casual comfortable saris?

A scan in offices, local ladies compartments, at bus stops, and it’s somewhat obvious that women at large are giving in to the more commute-friendly salwar kameez.

Is it more of a choice, a fallout of the practical concerns of modern working women who find the sari cumbersome, or is it a mix of both?  

Designer Anna Singh says it’s a ‘phase’. “More women are working now. Also they now have the money, freedom of choice, and accessibility to more clothing options than they did seven to eight years back,” she reasons.  

One of the oldest Indian sari brands, Nalli, which started as an exclusive sari shop in 1928, today stocks dress materials and readymade garments besides saris. “The number of women wearing saris as regular wear is declining, especially in metros. The work culture has changed, both partners are working,” says Bala Murukesan, vice-president, Nalli.

Sneha Mehta, 30, bank executive and mother of two, likes to flaunt her thin-bordered crisp cotton saris to work. But she admits that wearing a sari throughout the week is not feasible. “Mumbai is so hot for most part of the year, managing a sari becomes an issue. And monsoon means potholes and filthy roads, which make washing and maintenance of saris a problem,” she says.  

“Women have been wearing saris and working in the fields. But the young career-minded women are always up, about and moving. They find saris to be something which restricts their mobility,” explains designer Ritu Kumar.  

The projection of saris as an ultra glam garment has also taken the sheen away from its simplicity. Pre-stitched saris for an evening party; or the net, chiffon and jersey variety draped naval down paired with a fancy blouse and a mermaid-fit petticoat, all conjure up an image of a garment which is too stylistic to be worn casually.

“Now saris are associated more with sensuousness than grace, but you are at the risk of being branded a ‘behenji’ too,” says Menaka Rai, 21. The youngster often wears a sari to work. “I don’t mind travelling by train from Borivli to my office in South Mumbai in a sari,” she adds.  

Neela Shinde, managing committee member of Paramparik Karigar, an organisation that works with Indian artisans, craftsmen and weavers, puts the time required to drape a sari an issue. “A woman needs to get used to wearing a sari and it needs to be draped in a certain way. There is a certain degree of time management to the garment as against slipping into a trouser or salwar kurta,” she says.