The saree is an alluring piece of an ensemble that has been wowing women for generations with its rich designs and vibrant colors. A saree is not only a fashion symbol, but it is synonymous with the heritage of the country. It is also steeped in Indian culture and traditions.
How you drape this timeless six yards of elegance is also representative of India’s cultural diversity. Every corner of India has a distinctive drape that is unique in its way. If you have enjoyed the song “Dola re Dola” from the film Devdas, you will notice the two leading ladies, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai uniquely draping their sarees. That’s the Athpourey saree draping for you!
Although you have seen it in the most glamorous avatars on the silver screen, the Athpourey is a part of the everyday life of women from West Bengal, especially rural women. They prefer to wear their “Taant” khadi cotton saree in this beautiful drape. However, when there are strains of the “dhaak” in the air, and the fragrance of festivities hits the air, you know that Durga Puja has arrived! Women offer puja to Durga Maa in their Gorod (white saree with red border) saree in the Athourey drape. The whole city is decked up like a bride, and it’s a sight to behold.
Athpourey Saree Draping – Steps to Master the Drape
The gorgeous drape can be paired with traditional vintage jewelry and a big bright red bindi to complement the look. Usually worn by women on all five days of Durga Puja, it is especially on Dashami where women play “Sindur Khela” (married women smear sindoor on each other’s foreheads and their left wrists on the “loha” bangle). Bengali women also flaunt this saree during other occasions like weddings where they wear wedding silk sarees. Let’s find out how they wear the drape.
Step 1 – Tuck it tight
Hold one end of the saree and start tucking the saree into your petticoat. Wear heels before you wear the saree to get the right length of the saree. Tuck in the extra pleats into the shapewear or petticoat and ensure it looks neat and well-secured.
Step 2 – Perfect pallu pleats are made of these
Next, hold the other end of the saree and measure the pallu pleats to ensure that each pleat is of the same width. If you have trouble making the pleats, take somebody’s help. After making the pleats secure it with safety pins. One of the most important tips in this drape is you don’t drape the pleats from the back but from the front. Then toss the pleats on your left shoulder from the front. Remember you need to keep the pallu length till the floor. Keep the pleats as per your height to make it more manageable.
Step 3 – Broader the box pleats better the drape
Next, make waist pleats with your hands exactly the way we did our pallu pleats. Now, start making the pleats from the right side. After making the pleats secure it with a safety pin. When you are done with pleats tuck it into your shapewear. Slightly open the pallu (anchol) pleats and spread them apart. But first, secure the pallu with a safety pin. Take extra fabric from the pallu and pin it in the backside. After pinning the pallu take one end of the pallu from the back to the front and pin it between the pallu pleats right in the center. Next, you can set the pleats with the help of your hands. You can complete the look with the right jewelry and a bag.
For this Durga pujo, try this unique drape in designer silk sarees or cotton sarees and dance to the beats of the drum (Dhunuchi nrityo); try a quintessential Bengali way of enjoying the pujo. Check out this drape and tell us whether you were able to master this.
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