Celebrating the saree’s timeless elegance

Across cultures and generations, the saree has symbolised grace, versatility and resilience, making it a treasured emblem of identity for women. Deeply rooted in Indian culture, it is worn in various styles across the country. Nepali women prefer the saree for formal occasions, while the Kandyan saree of Sri Lanka has a unique draping style. The garment holds an enduring appeal in the Sindh region of ­Pakistan, the Indian Malaysian ­community and Bangladesh.

From L: Bharati Saravanan, Vinita Venkatesh and Puneeta Sridhar.

To honour this rich legacy, World Saree Day is observed annually on December 21. The day’s significance includes honouring artisans whose craftsmanship breathes life into the garment, while also promoting handloom weaving. The day is a tribute to heritage, creativity and the unifying spirit of tradition.

Rotary clubs of RID 3234, Chennai, commemorated this day with a vibrant event titled ‘Emwrap’, conceptualised by Bharathi, wife of DG N S Saravanan, and Punita, wife of PDG J Sridhar. “We came up with this idea during a brainstorming discussion on engaging Rotary Anns and women Rotarians,” said Bharathi.

At the event, Vinita Venkatesh shared her love for sarees, recounting how the collections of her “mother and mother-in-law inspired her to cherish the six-yard wonder.”

Kamala Ramakrishnan, past International Inner Wheel president, provided an overview of South India’s rich handloom legacy, exploring the intricate beauty of ­Kanjivaram, Uppada, ­Pochampally and Dharwad silks. Lavanya ­Srinivas, a storyteller and NIFT Chennai associate, highlighted the growing popularity of the indigo dye and its appeal among millennials.

The showstealer of the event was the ‘thematic Saree Fashion Walk,’ featuring 18 teams of women from 18 Rotary clubs. Each team styled their sarees to reflect the diverse cultural heritage of India’s states. A fascinating highlight was the recreation of Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic paintings. “This blend of old and new allowed the women to not only honour Varma’s legacy but also reimagined his art for a contemporary audience,” noted Bharathi.

Adding to the festivities were stalls showcasing sarees and jewellery by budding homepreneurs, along with a live demonstration of handloom weaving experience by Kalaiyarasi, a weaver from Erode. Women weavers from Kancheepuram were honoured, and 100 sarees were donated to Thuli, an NGO supporting underprivileged communities.

A Saree Zumba session had the delegates groove to upbeat music, blending fitness with the elegance of the six-yard drape. The energy was infectious, leaving everyone inspired to celebrate the saree’s enduring legacy.

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