How to drape a Saree in Coorgi Style?

Hope you have seen the Different ways of Draping sarees post. So as promised I will be giving the detailed and step by step demonstration of each method in individual posts. Here is the saree draping style in Coorgi style or Kodava style from Karnataka. 

• Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
• Gujarati style
• Maharashtrian style
• Tamilian Style
• Bengali style
• Mundu Neriyathum       
• Coorgi Style
• Mumtaz style             Check out theTraditional Sarees of India

Wearing a saree in Coorgi Style / Kodava / Kodagu Style

This method of saree draping is one of the unique ways compared to all other styles. It has been a part of Karnataka's rich culture since a very long time and has not changed a bit since its origin. The Kodava women find it very convenient and comfortable to move around in the hilly regions and to climb trees. In this Kodagu style the pleats are tucked at the back side unlike the other styles where the pleats come in the front. 

Step-by-step instructions to drape a saree in Coorgi style:

1. Start from the backside: Tuck the one end of the saree into the petticoat at the backside from your right hand. Bring rest of the saree from the front and complete the round from the left side.

2. Making the pleats : Start making 6-7 pleats like you do the regular saree and tuck the whole bunch at the backside. (Yes it is difficult to make make pleats keeping your hands at the back, so what you can do is, leave the part of the saree for one rotation and make clean pleats keeping the saree in the front like a regular saree, pin them up then tuck them backside)

3. Securing the end: After tucking the pleats, bring the rest of the saree from your right side to the front, go horizontal covering the torso, so that the distinct border is seen at the chest level. Continue to the back (under your left hand) and bring the pallu on the right shoulder from your back. Secure it with a brooch. 

Want to learn a little bit of Kannada? A quick dictionary for you here

[For those who are interested in knowing the mythological tale associated with this style of saree draping. There are many legends, but the most popular one is about the great sage Agasthya and his wife Cauvery. Cauvery marries him on the condition that, he would never leave her alone come what may. Once, apparently, Agasthya muni goes for a stroll without informing her. Greatly disappointed for breaking the promise Cauvery decides to leave him and flow as a river in order to serve the people of Kodagu. In spite of his pleas and requests she doesn't stop. Harsh winds blow as he tries to stop her from transforming into a river during which her saree pleats got pushed to the back.]

Long Lost Childhood Games - Lagori / Pittu

Get ready for a nostalgic drive, for am taking you to the memory lanes of our childhood days. 

We all have plenty of fond memories attached to those bygone days. Apart from school, one major work we used to do as kids was to play, play and play whether its indoor or outdoor. The  outdoor games have almost become extinct now, thanks to the busy and hectic lifestyle. And we hardly find any unoccupied plots or open grounds like earlier.

These are in fact, the forgotten games, the traditional Indian games which today's kids hardly play and can never connect to. However, here is a small attempt to revive those lost childhood games which we used to play and enjoy as kids. 

So far I have covered Channe Mane, Spinning Top (Bugari),  Kancha (Goli) and  Gilli Danda (Chinni Dandu)

Next in the series is Lagori . It is called by different names in different parts of the country like Pittu (Haryana),  Yedu penkulata, Dikori or Pittu (Andhra Pradesh), dabba kali (Kerala),"ezhu kallu) Tamil Nadu), sitoliya (Rajasthan), or satodiyu (Gujarat) etc.

This is one of my personal favorites, we used to play this game a lot every evening, after school. There are a lot of variations of this game and you might find the following explanation vary with the version what you have played. But in general the game goes like this...

Rules of the game:

1. Two teams of equal players are to be formed. One team is Hitters(A), the other team chases(B).

2. At the start of the game, a stack of seven stones is piled up at the center of the field. A player from one team tries to hit the ball from a distance(after a crease line) with the aim to knock down the pile. A player from the opposite team stands as a wicket keeper beyond the pile at a convenient position to catch the ball.

3. Each player gets 3 chances to hit the pile. If the player(A) hits the pile and the opposite player(B) catches the ball, the entire team is out and the teams switch places.


4. If the player (A) hits the pile and the B team player doesn't catch the ball, the real game begins. Now the aim of the A team is to rearrange the stack while of the B team is to fetch the ball and try to hit the A team players thus making them 'out' so that they don't succeed in rearranging the pile of stones.

5. The players(A) who get 'out' have to stand out of the team while the remaining members continue their stint with rebuilding.

6. If the team A manages to rebuild all the stones they win, and if the team B manages to hit all the players 'out' before re-stacking, they win. Each winning team gets one point.

7. Once the re-stacking is done, the team calls out 'Laogir' 3 times or trace the circle around the pile 3 times with fingers. 

Trivia: while the game involves a lot of skills - throwing, evading the ball, distracting the opp team, re-building strategy etc. the major smart move still vests with the player who hits the pile initially. He has to hit the ball skillfully so as to disrupt the pile as little as possible, preferably only the top most stone. If you aim the pile with a powerful direct hit, smashing all the stones scattered in all directions, then you are in serious trouble!! Also, the throwing should be as such, the ball travels a farther distance, so that you get enough time to rebuild, while the other team fetches the ball.  

Do share your experiences if you have played this game. Tune in for more such games!

Other Long Lost Childhood Games - Channe Mane  |  Kancha (Goli)  | Spinning Top (Bugari)  |  Gilli Danda(Chinni Dandu)

Theme Party - Election Theme

No theme would be more apt than Election, in the current scenario the county is witnessing. From dawn to dusk, you keep hearing Election saga in newspapers, TV, social network and neighborhood. Everything on earth is kind of Electionofied !?* Hope you agree with me..

I know I'm a bit late in getting onto the Election train,(the final phase and Counting is still left!) nevertheless, this theme is going to be a hit until few months from now at least. While Election and Voting are serious issues, organizing a theme such as Election in your kitty party (not a political party ;)) or gatherings shows your social awareness. Read on to know Election theme party ideas. Jai Hind!

Decoration : You probable won't need any inspiration for decoration part for this Election themed party. Look around you and plenty of ideas start popping up. You can hang posters of different political party symbols and leaders in the party hall. Paste Manifestos of parties, slogans for voting etc.



(Yes, am an AAP supporter :))

Dress Code : In India we recognize politicians by a typical dress code. You can either opt for crisp whites, khadi kurthas with overcoats and jackets, cotton sarees or walk in as a aam aadmi / aam aurat in ordinary clothes. That is completely left to your choice. A cap will definitely give you a neta look. You can also come dressed as your favorite Neta. (Do the kind of clothes matter for a politican??)

Games: Here comes the interesting part. Election itself is a game, a game of votes, which can make a candidate win or loose. Since we are organizing a party and not the real political scenario, lets make the gathering fun and entertaining with the theme.

Some interesting games for Election theme party (This solely depends upon the IQ level of your guests. So pls alter the games accordingly)

1. Divide the guests into 3-4 teams (Parties) depending on the strength. (Keep a bowl of chits with Party A/B/C and ask them to pick a chit as they enter the party hall). Ask the team members to choose a unique party name for their team.
2. Project the photos of some famous and not so famous political figures and ask their names or the party to which they belong to each Party in turns.
3. Project the party symbols of regional parties or not so famous political parties and ask them to identify.
4. Give each team a time limit of 5 min and ask them to come up with best Slogans on Voting.

5. Ask them to prepare an inspiring speech, with political jargon, in a typical politician style.
6. Ask the guests to vote the most inspiring/entertaining/friendly/talented/ member in the gathering.
7. Ask the participants to enact famous political figures, the style and mannerisms (just like Dumb Sharads)
8. Ask them to prepare a street skit which brings awareness about the right of voting and and role of voting for clean politics.
9. Ask each team to list out the max. number of political parties, national and regional.
10. Ask the movie names based on in and around politics (right now I can think of Nayak, Rajneeti, Sarkar, Satta, Hu tu tu, Aandhi, Gulaal, Aarakshan,....)

11. You can arrange for a debate, a team member from each Party will come and speak on the matter. (You can select the current ones like corruption or funnier ones)
12. Play a small audio clip of speech by any veteran leader. Ask the team to identify the voice.
13. Lastly you can ask each member to anonymously write the name of political party they are going to vote in the current elections, you can count them at the end, you will know the mood of your guests!


Yes do not forget to leave an ink mark on the fingers of your guests as they leave!


Have you checked these Themes yet?  Bollywood Night  |  Casino Night |  Christmas | Floral |  Rainbow | Mirch Masala | Sports Day |Arabian Nights  |  Valentine's Day  | Independence Day Theme

More Party Games

Couple Games  |   Party Games for Individuals  |  Party Games for Kids  |   1 Minute Games  |  General Party Games  |  Tambola | Song Translation Game  |  Group Games