How to Drape a Saree in Mumtaz 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 classic Mumtaz style of draping a saree. 

Other Saree Draping methods include :

1. Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
2. Gujarati style
3. Maharashtrian style
4. Tamilian version
5. Bengali style
6. Mundu Neriyathum       
7. Coorgi Style
8. Mumtaz style             Check out theTraditional Sarees of India

Wearing a Saree in Mumtaz style

The Mumtaz style was popularized by the charming film star, Bollywood diva of yesteryear Mumtaz. This style of saree draping involves draping the saree tightly around your lower body several times to give it a narrow look that accentuates your figure. Though not a very comfortable saree draping style in terms of ease of walk, it truly is one timeless beauty. 

Step-by-step instructions to drape a saree in Mumtaz style

1. Tuck one end of the saree at the waist, complete one round from right side just like in all other saree draping styles
2. Make 2-3 pleats and tuck them at the center facing left.
3. Take rest of the saree towards left and bring it around in the front and tuck it 4-5 inch above the full length of the saree.
4. Repeat the process. i.e wrap one more time and tuck it 4-5 inch above the previous layer, so that you can now see three layers of borders (if it is a border saree).
5. Make small pleats from the left out portion and secure them at the left shoulder. Usually the pleats are very narrow revealing the midriff. (Alternately, you can also just gather the pallu and fling back)
6. Keep the length of the pallu just above the hip level for a perfect look.

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.]

How to Wear a saree in Kerala Style / Mundu Neriyathum saree?

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 saree draping method in individual posts. Here is the method of wearing a saree in Kerala style or Mundum Neriyathum style. 

Other Saree Draping methods include :

1. Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
2. Gujarati style
3. Maharashtrian style
4. Tamilian version
5. Bengali style
6. Mundu Neriyathum       
7. Coorgi Style
8. Mumtaz style                                                     Check out the Traditional Sarees of India

Wearing a saree in Kerala Style / Mundu Neriyathum way

Mundu Neriyathum is the signature style of Kerala, and is the traditional attire of women of Kerala. This style of saree draping compromises of a Mundu or the lower garment and an upper piece called Neriyathum. Mundu is wrapped around in the lower part and is securely tucked at the waist. The Neriyathum is draped in the upper part over the blouse. 

Mundu Neriyuthum is also called 'settu mundu' or 'set saree'.  The festive variant is called Kasavu munudu which has a golden color border or a broad zari border. 

Following are the step-by-step instructions for wearing this two-piece saree.

1. Mundu or the lower garment is wrapped around and secured at the waist. 
To start with insert one end of the garment into the petticoat (underskirt). Take the rest of the cloth from right hand side and bring it to the front. Make couple of pleates with the other end of the cloth, so that the vertical border is visible on the front side. Insert them at the waist.

Mundu & Neriyathu

2. Now take the Neriyathum or the upper garment and tuck one end of the cloth slightly to your left at the waist. Bring the cloth to right hand side from behind after covering your hips and diagonally put it onto the left shoulder covering the front torso, just a like normal saree. Let the loose end fall over your left shoulder. Make pleates and secure them with a pin on the left shoulder. 




3. In traditional style Neriyathu is tucked inside the blouse, but in the modern style it is worn over the left shoulder. (as in the right pic.)




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

The following video demonstrates the Mundu Neriyathum drape or Kerala style of wearing a saree.

Know more about the state of Kerala - Must see places, best eating joints, traditional Kerala food, shopping places

How to Wear a Saree in Bengali 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 another method of draping this six yard wonder in traditional Bengali style.

1. Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
2. Gujarati style
3. Maharashtrian style
4. Tamilian version
5. Bengali style
6. Mundu Neriyathum / Kerala style       
7. Coorgi Style
8. Mumtaz style             Check out theTraditional Sarees of India

Wearing a Sari in Bengali Style

Draping a saree the bengali way is one of the quickest, easiest yet elegant Saree draping methods. With Durga Puja just round the corner, let us learn the beautiful way of wearing a Bengali Style Saree.  

A Bengali saree looks best when worn using a saree with a border and a blouse with long sleeves stretching upto elbows or 3/4th sleeve. If short sleeves, wear a puff style blouse.  

Step 1: Starting at the navel, tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat keeping the entire saree on the left and continue tucking till you take one complete turn. Continue further a bit to left and tuck  in the saree.

Step 2 : Now make a reverse pleat that is tuck the saree in a big pleat from left to the right end of your waist. You can see the Fall of the saree facing front now near your feet. Now make another big pleat from right to left end covering the earlier pleat.

Step 3 : Start making smaller pleats at the end of the pallu so that the distinct border is visible. Put the pleated pallu on your left shoulder and pin it. Cover the chest with the inner pleat and secure it at the back. You can see the border in a vertical line from your shoulder to your knee and below. Adjust the length.

Step 4 : The final step is to take the end point of the pallu from the back and bring it under your right hand and on to your right shoulder. Tie a bunch of keys at the end of pallu and let it fall onto your shoulder for that typical Bengali look:) Want to learn a little bit of Bengali? a quick dictionary for you here

How to Wear a Saree in Tamilian style?

Hope you have seen the Different ways of Draping sarees post. As promised I will be giving the detailed and step by step demonstration of each method in individual posts. Today it is Tamilian version or Madisar style of wearing a saree. 

1. Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
2. Gujarati style
3. Maharashtrian style
4. Tamilian version
5. Bengali style
6. Mundu Neriyathum / Kerala style
7. Coorgi Style
8. Mumtaz style             Check out the Traditional Sarees of India

Wearing a Saree in Tamilian style

The saree is of 9 yard length also known as Madisar Iyer saree. You can wear slacks instead of petticoat inside.

Step1: Take one end of the saree and make around 10 small pleats. Keep the pleats as starting point and place them at the back from your left hand and wrap one complete  round from left to right and reach to left on the backside. Now the rest of the whole saree is onto your left.

Step2: Bring the saree to little front and tie a knot with the first layer. Tie the knot tightly.

Step3: Tie the loose end of the saree to your right and left as shown in the video.

Step4: Bring the rest of the saree to the backside from under your legs, tuck the saree at the back at the waist.

Step5: Bring around the saree to your left after tucking the shorter edge slightly on the right.

Step6: Wrap one complete round from waist to down and get the pallu on the right shoulder. Take the loose end and wrap it around the waist on the right.

The video is in Tamil, but you can understand the demonstration and the explanation given in English. Want to learn a little bit of Tamil? A quick dictionary for you here

How to Wear a Saree in Maharashtrian 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 method Maharashtrian style or Marathi style of wearing saree.

1. Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
2. Gujarati style
3. Maharashtrian style
4. Tamilian version
5. Bengali style
6. Mundu Neriyathum / Kerala style
7. Coorgi Style
8. Mumtaz style             Check out theTraditional Sarees of India

Marathi style of wearing saree:
Traditional Maharashtrian Nauvari saree is worn without a petticoat and resembles a man's dhoti or wrapped pants at the bottom with the pallu covering the bust. Instead of usual 5-6 meters the Nauvari saree is 8-9 meters in length. It looks very trendy and feminine and the best part about this saree is that it is easy to carry off- even by those who have never worn saree before!

1. Tying the knot:  In place of petticoat, you can wear tight slacks.  Tuck the plain end of the saree and continue tucking till you take a complete turn from right to left. Tie a knot to secure the pleats.

2. Taking the Pallu (Anchal) : The pallu or the anchal which is the decorative end part of the saree is taken on the left shoulder, wrap it and bring it on the right shoulder. 

3. Making pleats : Start making pleats from the rest of the sari. Hold the pleats together firmly at the top and  wrap them into a bolster (a banana shaped structure where all the folds are firmly tucked in) using the initial layer. The video clearly explains this step

4. Making a Kachha (Dhoti) : Leave the folds or pleats in the front. Take the center most pleat in between the legs to the backside, make small border sized pleats and tuck it at the waist. 

5. Tying a konchha from the front : The portion of the saree near the feet is folded in a layer for tucking into the waist so that the beautiful border is seen in the front.

Want to learn a little bit of Marathi? A quick dictionary for you here.
Watch this step by step video for a clear understanding of wearing a Gajaki or Nauvari saree

Know more about the state of Maharashtra - Must see places, best eating joints, traditional Maharashtrian food, shopping places etc.

How to Wear a Saree in Gujarati 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 comes the second method - Saree draping in Gujarati style.

1. Classic Indian Drape (Traditional Way)      
2. Gujarati style
3. Maharashtrian style
4. Tamilian version
5. Bengali style
6. Mundu Neriyathum / Kerala style
7. Coorgi Style
8. Mumtaz style             Check out theTraditional Sarees of India

Wearing a Saree in Gujarati style

Step 1: Starting at the navel, tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat keeping the entire saree on the left and continue tucking till you take a complete turn. Adjust the lower end of the saree to the height required. Ideally footwear is worn prior to draping the saree so that you drape the saree to the right length. (If this point is not clear check here)

Step 2: Now start pleating the saree starting from the center of your waist by taking (around 6-7), four inches pleats. Hold all the pleats together firmly. Make sure that all the pleats are of same length. Tuck them at the centre of the waist to your right side.

Step 3: Now take the remaining saree to the left around back and up over your right shoulder keeping desired length for the pallu. Fold the pallu into pleats and tuck the left bottom edge of the pallu inside the petticoat. Then secure the pleats with pin.

Have a look at this video for the demonstration of the same. The technique may vary a bit. Here you can also see the variation of Gujarati draping called Rajrani style of wearing a saree.