In a recent exclusive interview with TOI Books, professor-writer Jaswinder Kaur shares some fascinating details and history about Indian costumes and how they have evolved over the years, especially during the British Raj. Jaswinder Kaur was speaking to us in the context of her new book ‘Influence of the British Raj on the Attire and Textiles of Punjab’, which was published by Roopa Publications in 2021. In a candid conversation, the author reveals that the modern way of wearing a saree is actually inspired by the British. “The way of tying a saree that has now become a universal method in India is inspired by the British. Initially, the saree was a single garment that was not worn with a petticoat and blouse in India. In fact, the term ‘petticoat’ And the ‘blouse’ is indicative of its origin, whatever its form, which is also mentioned by several authors,” the author told us.
She further shared an interesting anecdote about how the modern saree draping style was actually popularized by a member of the family of Nobel Literature Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore! Sharing the story of the sari, the author said, “It was popularized by Rabindranath Tagore’s sister-in-law, Gyandanandini Devi. Tagore’s brother Satyendranath Tagore was the first Indian to join the Indian Civil Service. This led to his interactions with foreigners. (third quarter of the 19th century), the sari was a garment worn by women without petticoats and blouses and therefore it was not easy for women to go out of the house and interact socially. It is widely believed that this It was Gyandanandini Devi, wife of Satyendranath Tagore, who popularized the new form of wearing the sari that we see today. Rabindranath Tagore also mentioned this in Visva Bharati magazine. Another story related to this is that once Gyandanandini’s husband Satyendranath was ill and had to go to a Viceroy’s reception in Kolkata in 1867 or 68. Although her dress is not mentioned, it would be safe to conclude that she wore a new form of tying a sari.”
Who knew that the humble sari which is considered the hallmark of Indian women today had such an interesting development and history. Isn’t this amazing?
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