How to Wear a Tamil Brahmin Sari

You can wrap a sari in a number of different ways.

Women belonging to the Brahmin caste in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu often wrap their saris in a manner known as Madisar-style. Madisar-style wrapping requires a traditional 9-yard (27-foot) sari, longer than most saris in contemporary India. Though sari wrapping may seem complex, you can easily learn the technique in a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Traditional 9-yard (27-foot) sari
• Sari petticoat
• Sari blouse

Instructions

1. Put on your sari blouse and sari petticoat. Holding the sari lengthwise, begin wrapping the sari around your waist, starting at your left hip and working clockwise across your stomach and around your back. When you reach your left hip again, stop. Hold the excess sari fabric in your left hand. Use your right hand to hold the sari against your stomach to keep it from slipping off.

2. Tie the upper corner of the sari in your right hand to the upper portion of the sari that's gathered in your left hand, as if you're tying a bow.

3. Bring the sari fabric that you're holding in your left hand across the front of your body. Tuck part of the upper portion of the sari fabric into your waistband near your right hip.

4. Pleat the sari three times, beginning at the end that's tucked into the right side of your waistband. Each pleat should be as wide as your stomach. Tuck the top of the pleats into your waistband.

5. Pull the sari fabric backwards between your legs and tuck it into the back of your waistband, allowing the remaining fabric to fall back toward the floor. Pull the rest of the sari counterclockwise toward the front, wrapping around the right side of your body. Tuck a bit of the top of the sari fabric into your waistband to keep it secure.

6. Throw the remaining portion of sari over your left shoulder. The fabric should dangle down your back.

7. Bring the end of the sari counterclockwise around your body, wrapping around your right side and the front of your stomach. Tuck the end of the sari into the left side of your waistband.

References

• Nilacharal: Madisar in Easy Steps
• Indus Ladies: 10 Steps to Wear Madisar
• Amma's: Fashion