B. The 9-yard Lodhi sari

Bring the mundanai in front from under the left arm. Fold it about half-way towards the outside (the "good side" and the pallav come on top). Hold both layers of the folded mundanai about 8 ins (± 25 cm) lower than the upper border and fold the upper part horizontally towards the outside.

Tuck each edge of this fold as far as possible in the back.

The edge of the pallav and the beginning of the mundanai should go under the left arm and the vertical fold under the right arm.

However you drape the mundanai, once the drape is finished, take the upper border as it passes on the right shoulder and pull it over the forehead so that the sari covers the head.

The longest sari requires 9 yds. It is somewhat reminiscent of Tamil Brahmin saris (see pp. 25-7), but is truly unique.

Hold the upper corner of the mundi on the right side of the abdomen and pass the upper border around the waistline counter-clockwise. Once the upper border is back in front, roll it with the upper part of the mundi over the abdomen to secure the closing.

Take the lower border after it has come around the legs and bring it up loosely, while pushing the upper border to the right. The lower border should fall over the feet then go up to the closing where it is firmly tucked in.

This way, you should have both borders falling down after being tucked in the closing over the abdomen.

Take the sari from this point and pass it between the legs. Pull it up as much as possible while adjusting the cloth covering the legs. Tuck the whole sari in the back, just as you would do for a Tamil Brahmin sari (see p. 26).

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Take the upper border after it is tucked in the middle of the back, pass it forward between the legs and hold it in front on the left side. It should come in front from between the legs in the reverse.

Take the lower border after it is tucked in the middle of the back, pass it forward between the legs and let it fall in front on the left side. It should come reversed from between the legs.

Hold the upper border in front on the left and let the sari fall straight. Fold it towards the right so that it comes with the "good side" up. Stretch a portion of the upper border horizontally in front of you. It should be long enough to go all around the waistline.

Hold it at each end and pass the left side (coming from between the legs) under the left arm and tuck it in the back.

Pass the right side (the beginning of the mundanai) under the right arm and tuck it in the back.

This way, a portion of the sari falls straight around the legs, with an opening in the back. On the left there is a fold of the sari and on the right the beginning of the mundanai.

Take the upper border after it has been tucked in the back, pass it loosely over the right shoulder, over the forehead, over the left shoulder and across the chest.

Pass the upper border of the pallav under the right arm and tuck the knotted upper corner of the pallav in the middle of the back.

The pallav should fall in front, from under the right arm to over the left hip, not unlike a Cujarati sari but in the opposite direction.

The mundanai falling from the head over the back hides the opening in the back.