Origins and history The word 'sari' is believed to derive from the Sanskrit word 'sati', which means strip of cloth. This evolved into the Prakrit 'sadi' and the sound later decayed into 'sari'. Some versions of the history of Indian clothing trace the sari back to the Indus valley civilization, which flourished in 2800-1800 BC. Some costume historians believe that the men's dhoti, which is the oldest Indian draped garment, is the forerunner of the sari. They say that until the 14th century, the dhoti was worn by both men and women. Sculptures from the Gandhara, Mathura and Gupta schools (1st-6th century CE) show goddesses and dancers wearing what appears to be a dhoti wrap, in the "fishtail" version which covers the legs loosely and then flows into a long, decorative drape in front of the legs. This garment is in style for over 5000 years for the simple reason of its simplicity and practical usage. It is generally accepted that wrapped sari-like garments, shawls, and veils have been worn by Indian women for a long time, and that they have been worn in their current form for hundreds of years. Previously, women only wore the one, draped cloth and casually exposed the upper body and breasts. Even today, women in some rural areas do not wear cholis. India has been known to have wonderful dresses and costumes. The most common and accepted attire is sari.
For a single length of material, the Indian sari must be the most versatile garment in existence. A sari is a rectangular piece of cloth that is five to six yards in length and sometimes nine yards. This dress is worn by millions of Indian women and is, by far, the most elegant. It is not merely an outfit but an ornament, lending both grace and glamour to the wearer. The age old Sari has kept its popularity throughout the centuries because of its total simplicity and practical comfort combined with the sense of luxury and sense of sexuality a woman experiences.
Sari is an Indian