Styles of Saree Draping

Nivi – styles originally worn in Tamil Nadu; besides the modern nivi, there is also the kaccha nivi, where the pleats are passed through the legs and tucked into the waist at the back. This allows free movement while covering the legs.

The classic saree or ‘Nivi drape’ consists of a single strip of cloth, draped below the navel and around the hips to form the lower section of the clothing. More drapery is wrapped over this, with several folds of elegant pleats in the front, tucked over a petticoat. This gracefully accentuates the contours of the person wearing it. The word ‘nivi’ means or refers to, the flowering pleats of the saree that hangs below the navel held on by a knot in ancient saris. The Pallu or pallav is the portion of the saree which is draped diagonally in the front. It is worn across the right hip to over the left shoulder, along the navel and partially over the midriff, partly baring them. The long end of the pallu hanging from the back of the shoulder is heavily embroidered and intricately decorated. The term ‘nivi’ was brought into the mainstream by the researcher Kamla .S. Dongerkerry, in 1959, in her treatise on the Indian Sari. The saree is modestly sensuous and elegantly conservative. This balanced combination has led to its continuation for a very long time.