...In A Saree

Illustrated and Written by

Mira Kalidindi

Growing up, I always thought that the Telugu saree was truly iconic. I’ve seen my mother, and my grandmother drape the fabric onto them, and I longed for the day I would be able to wear a saree.

It became a symbol of reaching womanhood.

When I put on a saree, I imagined a sudden transformation of how I looked at myself.

From a girl, to a woman.

Occasionally, I still feel like a little girl. One who still has not figured out who she is, in an ever-changing world. Donning a saree today, makes me feel a little surer of myself, a little more confident.

ge le to l co d o use es t r s ri . We ctu a S al pi s. ng de ing lve i r g a e m ea a bi tak urs r W s oy o Va er a f w enj o da ak n m na me u S Ho

It was stand my confide nt day ard fa rew -1 I felt l ike a g ell. It’s fun 2th rown ny bu t up bold a nd ele , beautiful, gant.

Shub Graph hangi Pand e ic Des ign St y udent

When my cousin and I used to practice wearing it when we were kids, we were so excited!

Komal Solanki Textile Design Student

� lt. rst u fi 6. ad n the s 1 s a a r n stom ke t fo I w i a “L re i en ar u m er C h o u w ak m I w me iv am i S t h a d ilp un Sh , So er nd

u Fo

I felt beautiful. Amma still reminds me about how long I spent in front of the mirror adorning myself!

Bhumija Naidu Fashion Design Student

el T w ega her lik ea nc e e rs e w is a Ia a cq sar hen cer ui ee m ta Te M re , a y in xt e d ile gh th nd mo De a M e If m si o sa el gn ha m t e.

St n u de

nt

I’d say I felt in cre ecstati c and p dibly seudo grown up!

Sunory Du Journa tt list

Tuck one end of the 6 metres and begin your transformation.

Pleat them graciously, arranging all your worries in order.

Every woman has something looking over their shoulders, you need a pallu for that.

Tuck the worst ones away and the rest flows down to the ground.

Circle your pall and toss it, blinding those looking down on you.

Don’t forget to secure it all with safety pins.

Keeping them all put together.

Gather the excess in front of you, all your thoughts that never let you go.

Now show off!

A composed woman no matter how complicated it may be.

lue l va n a t en ow ntim as its e s eh sa t. e ha h drap ed to i e r Sa t. Eac ttach to i vibe a v ada aY r van esigne a h B D tile Tex

Stories of amazing women in my life and I get to add my stories to theirs by wearing their saree’s.

Sanchitha Sathyadas High School Student

It’s t tru he on cha ly m e ga r rac oul ter d to ment i you eve stic fit y s r-s o-m and ou, yo can ur any sty wa le it Fas Dipti ys. in hio Mr in ntr alini epr ene ur

nE

Saree to me means a fulfillment, a dream realised, an age attained, a strand which can bind future and past generations.

Pranuthi Sathyadas Homeschooling Mom

The most common version of draping a saree uses six metres of fabric.

Some cultures use more and have their own way of donning it, having its own significance.

I see the saree as a significant part of Indian history and a rich cultural heritage.

I have seen sarees passed down my ancestry.

A tradition where the mother passes on her sarees to her daughters.

To me, a saree is a symbol of versatility and substance.

So if you feel overwhelmed, take a break, put on a saree and see yourself transform into an empowered version of yourself!

Thank you!

Praveen John Prof. Dietmar Spoerl Hof University