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Bengali saree
India’s fashion statement changes every day. Indian culture is changing over the years and flowing
towards modernization. We can observe some decent changes in Indian fashion from the Vedic ages to
the age of globalization. Bengali saree fashion is one of them. Not only women's but men's
fashion also changes according to the era they have been crossed. Bengal is basically called the “abode of culture”.
Here the people are the perfect mixture of their tradition and modernism. Like other states in Bengal also, though people are modifying themselves as per requirement, they never forget their roots to carry forward. Whether It’s about Rabindranath Tagore or their famous sweet dishes or their favourite festival Durga puja, you can see the accurate blend of tradition and modernism together. From time to time they have the saree draping style changed, as per requirement, and people from all over the world are very curious about how to wear saree.
Types of Bengali saree-
Bengali sarees are world-famous. These sarees are suitable for all ages of women. It depicts the rich
tradition of Indian handloom work. In the ancient ages, the wavers were woven into all the sarees by their hand and it takes a long time to finish one saree. It is very hard work too. But now gradually they also became modern and use updated Taant machines. The sarees are mostly famous for their unique threadwork and the clear skilful fine woven style. Mainly there are two types of sarees– silk and cotton.
Let’s check out the fantastic different types of Bengali saree-
1) Baluchori-
This type of saree is silk woven. It is known for depictions of
mythological scenes of Ramayana and Mahabharata on the pallu of the saree.
This saree also has three different categories-
a) Baluchori with Resham threads.
b) Baluchori with bright Meenakari work.
c) Sonachari saree woven with bright silver and golden threads.
2) Taant-
This type of saree is woven with cotton threads, which can be distinguished for its lightness and transparency. Different districts of West Bengal have a different style of Taant saree. These types of sarees are the identification of Bengali saree these are very comfortable, and mainly made for daily use.
3) Murshidabad Tussar Silk-
This type of saree is woven with soft silk treads. Different bright colour designs printed and painted on
the saree.
4) Bishnupur Silk-
This type of saree is of rich silk sarees that have a soft, smooth texture and drapes
beautifully. These sarees are lightweight; pure silk sarees come in a variety of colours with
traditional and modern designs and motifs as well.
5) Mulmul Cotton-
This type of saree is woven with very fine soft thread cotton saree. Various designer
themes are printed on these sarees. Very comfortable to wear.
6) Dhaniakhali cotton saree-
This type of sarees also carries the Bengali saree tradition. These sarees are
made of soft cotton thread. Very soft light weighted and easy to carry.
7) Garode saree
It is another product of Murshidabad silk. These types of sarees are very gorgeous. It is woven with golden zari on the saree border. It is specially made for different occasions. The combination of red and white Garode saree is the iconic traditional saree in Bengali saree collection.
8) Batik saree-
The origin of ‘batik’ is from Java, Indonesia. It is a wax-resist dyeing. Though the Bengali wavers didn’t do it, they use the techniques most to make the sarees. It is a very popular saree in Bengal. So it blends in Bengali saree tradition. In every piece of clothing, whether it is silk or cotton batik print is a popular choice.
9) Begumpur cotton saree- in modern Bengali saree tradition another name is coming in light i.e.
Begumpur saree. It is a cotton saree. These are mainly soft subtle sophisticated loosely woven sarees.
The classic wavers of Begumpur sarees introduce the different types of unique border styles called
Naksha par, Matha par, Ganga-Jamuna par, etc.
10) Kantha saree- Kantha is basically called a blanket in Bengal. The housewives use to make Kantha
for winters. They stitch Kantha by joining two old sarees with running stitching style. Many excellent
designs can be observed in those kanthas. Kantha is an amazing example of simplicity with
gorgeousness. Gradually it became the tradition in Bengalis. By the time wavers use this stitching
technique for woven sarees. Various types of hand-made designs are portrayed all over the sarees. In
cotton and silk, both the Kantha stitch is available.
Bengali Saree Style
Saree is a very common outfit in India for women. All over the Indian women wears sarees by
following their state’s style and tradition. And it changes over time also. The look of Bengali sarees also
has been changed in different ages. The saree draping style also changes. In the medieval ages, there is
no concept of blouse and petticoat. At that time women don’t go out of their house, so they the urge of
the blouse and petticoat never felt. They just wrap the saree on their body. After the foreign influence
came to Bengal and women started out to go out for schools and other purposes, they slowly started to
feel the necessity of those. By taking the inspirations from ‘Parsis,’ Bengalis also started to make big
size blouse to cover their upper portion and gradually stared to use petticoat also. This style spread not
only in the women of Bengal but also in India.
Bengali saree draping style-
Bengali saree draping style is a unique style. People from all over the world are very eager to know
how to wear Bengali saree. One of the most recognizable saree draping styles is the Bengali style.
Unlike the modern-day saree draping style, it has a box pleat at the front. The pallu comes from back
to front on both sides. Traditionally a bunch of keys was tied with the pallu thrown over the right shoulder. The most important woman in the household did this and as it was a great matter of pride to enjoy.
So without wasting time let’s learn how to wear saree of Bengal step-by-step.
Step 1: tuck the saree along the waist and turn around to cover the body one full circle before tucks it in
again, just below the navel.
Step 2: After that, make a broad pleat; make folds placed on the right. Make sure that the pleat falls at
the end of the right leg. To enhance the look the box pleat needs to do with little care.
Step 3: While tucking the box pleat below the navel, it makes sure that the bottom of the pleat is made
in a way that it levels with the ground before you tuck it inside. In the Bengali saree draping style, this is
very important.
Step 4: Hold the box pleat of the saree with both the hands then flatten and stiffen the front of the saree
to get a neat and clean finish to it.
Step 5: Once the formation of the box pleat is done and it is tucked in, remove any additional crinkles
or wrinkles in the saree and achieve a smooth finish.
Step 6: in this step, hold the pallu around both the ends of the saree and pleat it again in a slender way.
After that, use cloth pins to keep the pallu in place and put it right over the left shoulder in a gentle
manner so that the pleats will be not disturbing.
Step 7: After pleating the pallu, set the front part of it straight aligned to the body and make sure it also
touches the ground. To prevent an annoying fall and for safety, keep it a few inches above the ground
or wear heels.
Step 8: The pleats of the front and the pallu should align in a straight line parallel to each other to
adjust the plating of the pallu of the bosom area without creating any wrinkles in a coordinated manner.
Step 9: Take off the cloth pins now from the pallu that has been already positioned on the left shoulder.
Stretch the right border of the pallu to the chest and tuck the end of the pallu at the right side of the
hip in an orderly way.
Step 10: Now undo the clips of the pallu and bring the back end of the same stretched towards the right
end corner of the pallu. Tie-down the corner with a key ring.
Step 11: Take the corner of the pallu that just brought forward to the right side of the body and gently
flips it over the right shoulder. The ornate key ring is not only for decoration it also helps to hold the
pallu on the shoulder.
Step 12: Adjust the front pleats of the saree in neat pleats and pin it in places wherever it. The finished
the look is going to be just outstanding.
So with the help of this some easy 12 steps, the Bengali saree can be worn easily. It is admitted that on
gala occasions the Bengali saree draping style is very attractive and most fashionable too.
