I simply love everything about my grandma – Aaji !! Whether it is her milk-smooth skin, her ghee-laden rotis, her long hair, her gossips…everything…
But one thing I didn’t like about her and that was her Nauvari Saree!! OhSoImpossibleToWear…:D
By the way, Nauvari Saree; also known as Kashthaa Saree; is the typical Maharashtrian style of a saree drape. It has straight nine-yards-of-cloth hence the name “Nauvari”.
I guess in the initial decades of 1900s all Marathi women must be wearing this drape only. My Aaji told me that she started wearing it as a 13-year old…wow!! If you watch those BW Marathi movies, actresses used to wear Nauvari all the time.
Roughly speaking, Nauvari looks like a dhoti from below and has a pallu on top. It has a few variations like Koli style and Lavni style etc. made popular by Bollywood songs. The latest Bollywood flick that will present Nauvari in all its glory should be “Bajirao Mastani” by Sanjay Leela Bhansali..Priyanka Chopra’s Kashibai in all probabilities will renew the Nauvari wave.
My relationship with Nauvari or for that matter with Saree is always complicated. I don’t wear sarees much and Nauvari? no ways!! In my college, I had worn it once. My Aaji’s mango-colored silk Nauvari. Beautiful saree but I must be looking like a scarecrow wearing that…LOL!
All this stuff am mentioning because recently I tried to make friends with the Nauvari saree. There was one threading ceremony in the family and my cousin sis insisted that we all should wear Nauvari…Ahem ahem..
She in fact took the responsibility of getting it “stitched” for me..Aha! now that sounds interesting..”Stitched” or “Ready-to-Wear” means no headache of wearing it..just wear like a salwar and done!! She got the readymade blouse also for me. Places like Pune / Dombivali have many shops where you can get it stitched in various materials like Narayanpeth, semi-silk, paithani etc.
When I went to India to attend the ceremony, I was damn sure that Nauvari will look like a balloon on me (or rather I will look like a balloon in it :P)..was also thinking that what if the measurements given by me are wrong etc.
On the actual day, when I wore it, I was pleasantly surprised. This “Stitched Nauvari” was looking AWESOME!! so comfortable, so classy and in fact it was making me look quite trim…I accessorized it with chandrakor bindi, nath, pearls tanmani, peacock tattoo, kamarpatta and it looked really cool…
Here are some pics to show how stitched Nauvari looks like…
Do consider wearing it next time…as an alternative to usual Saree, as a fashion, for saving age-old tradition… 🙂 🙂
Till then listen to these songs where Nauvari rocks!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCwHSKplmaU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW67u_hWiSo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R7QJkznJGU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOEJZslEu6I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGdtqG1vlvE
Shub
For RainbowDiaries
I like the color combination of your nauvari. You look great and lively.
Wow…seems to me Nauvari are related to Love! It's a creamy radiant people displaying such elegance!!
You look great in it, love the colors. It always fascinates me each time I see traditional wear from other countries.
You looks really great in saree…it's nice to see NRI people also celebrating country traditions and culture outside the country as well.
I never knew there's so much history and story behind saree, I like how you matched the colour combination!
What a beautiful saree! It looks good on you! I love the colors as they are so vibrant.
Beautiful pictures! I love how colorful you ladies are. Looking great. 🙂
This isn't common in the Philippines so I really enjoyed reading about sarees! So much history! 😀
I've heard they are a bit difficult to put on, but my it's one of the most beautiful clothes I've seen. I always loved the bright colors and the accessories that came with it. I'm glad you found a solution for it, you look stunning!
Cultural always the best part for every races~
The Nauvari looks really colorful. It can be flexible accessory and outfit in one.
Nice Pictures
Wow, wish to wear sari one day during my indian friend wedding as it is so pretty and nice 😀
Never really try wear Saree before but yours Saree is way too pretty =D Hope I can get to try one day XD
I like saree it's so beautiful. Hope got the chance to wear one and take some nice photos.
Love this range of sari totally on that traditional side and have got beautiful feel.
You ladies are looking gorgeous in those sarees! Wonder where can I get unique ones like yours. True that not all can fit a suitable ready made piece that fits
The Nauvari sure looks very pretty and colourful. Love traditional outfits
This is such a beautiful traditional wear and I very much enjoyed reading this post as you introduce a bit of history about it. Looks lovely and I'd like to wear one someday!
I love the colours of the Nauvari. I still hope to attend an Indian ceremony, probably a wedding, where I can wear something this beautiful. My guess is that I would wear a saree tho. Whichever way, I find the colours of the Indian native clothes to be very vibrant and refreshing!
I hope to wear an authentic sari soon. We tried to replicate one when I was still a student to represent Ms. India. 🙂
I have saree also and will wear it for my indian friends wedding or functions. They are so elegant and beautiful.
thanks for sharing this useful info, I bought myself an orange colour sari many years ago, obviously I can't recalled how to wear it anymore 😉 with this sharing, I can wear my sari again 🙂
Cheers, SiennyLovesDrawing
Wah, I have always dreamed of wearing a saree. But didn't get down to do it! 😀
Yes I love saree, its timeless classic and great from generations to generations. They said the olden ones are better because of the details and workmanship.
So colourful! Thanks for sharing the culture. =)
I love the colours!! I really ought to put on a saree one day. Pure elegance
wow… loving the bright colours of the saree… and yes, I think it is hard wearing it but I want to try one one find day too
Whoa! You look gorgeous!!! In South India we have a similar style called the Madisar. You're so tempting me to wear it!!!
I can't decide which is more difficult to wear: saree or nauvari! But both look elaborate and colourful. Just what I like!
I learned a lot about Indian costumes in this post. I never knew that a saree is not easy to wear for some Indian ladies. Preserving traditional costumes are really an important advocacy.
Love sarees because its full of colors. Beautiful ladies!!! phewwitttt!!! kekeke
You look gorgeous in nauvari! I love the colour combination which is colourful and vibrant. Just curious what's the difference between nauvari and saree?
Its nice to see you ladies flaunting your saree's. Looks great on all of you 🙂
Didn't know about Nauvari until I read your post, thanks for the info sharing 🙂
wow you look stunning! Very nice saree there
beauties in saree, love the traditional costume a lot
i get to see this a lot! This is so beautiful!