There are close to a hundred different ways to drape a saree. One of the most popular saree drapes today is the ‘Nivi’ drape. The simple drape involves wrapping the saree around the waist, while one end of the pallu is left hanging over the left shoulder.
The Nivi saree can be traced back to ancient times when the blouse was given a skip with the Nivi drape. Tribal women and fisherwomen wore the saree like a pair of shorts that offered free movement. The Nivi saree draping style hails from the Deccan region of Andhra Pradesh. The person who truly discovered the Nivi drape was Jnanadanandini Devi, an influencer, also known as the sister-in-law of Rabindranath Tagore.
To drape the saree in Nivi style, you will need.
- Blouse or crop top
- Petticoat or shapewear
- Your favorite saree
- Safety pins
- Accessories of your choice
- Confidence
Nivi Saree Drape – The Unique Drape Story
There are so many ways of wearing the six-yard of elegance. It’s a pity we don’t try the hundreds of different forms of wearing the saree. If you want to try the Nivi drape saree here is how you can do it.
Step 1: Establish the Mermaid Saree Silhouette
The basic saree silhouette of the Nivi saree draping is a beautiful mermaid shape that keeps the pleats in place and makes the saree draping style comfortable. Make a base of the saree and tuck the saree in a way that it lies flat against the body. Tuck the saree all the way around.
Step 2: The Pallu Tales
Make pleats and put the pallu over the left shoulder. Hold the edge of the Saree and bring it closer to the body and bring the pleats around the waist to tuck it in. Start pleating with the loop of fabric. Bring the fabric toward your belly button before starting the pleating process.
Fasten the pallu on the shoulder of the saree’s blouse with a safety pin. Keep the length of the pallu to be short in case you want to keep the pallu to be left loose and secure at the shoulder.
Step 3: Pin and Tuck it in
After pleating the saree, ensure the left end of the pleat is near the right of your belly button so the pleats end up in the center. Once the pleats are in place, you can start pinning them together and tuck them in to keep them in place.
Modern Styling of Nivi Drape
Whether you love wearing sarees enthusiast or just want to take a peek at India’s cultural heritage, knowing all about this drape will give you a fresh perspective on this novel ancient drape. The Nivi drape can be worn in any fabric, including cotton and silk, and modern drapes such as brasso, net, georgette, and chiffon. You can opt to wear it traditionally or wear it in a contemporary way.
You can accessorize your saree look with a decorative waist chain or kamarbandh. This was the go-to accessory for brides during the early times. Today, you can wear a belt with your Nivi drape and give it a contemporary twist. Choose modern danglers, hathphools, and a nose ring to nail the new Nivi drape look.



In conclusion, the Nivi saree draping style offers both comfort and sophistication, suitable for various occasions. With the right choice of saree, shapewear, and blouse, you can transform the saree look from classic to modern. Explore the various range of cotton sarees, designer sarees, silk sarees and designer blouse styles at klakifashion.com that can effortlessly embrace the elegance of this timeless drape.
Also Read – Gujarat- Where Every Saree Tells A Story & Every Drape Unfolds Its Beauty
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