The saree (a 6-to-9-yard unstitched drape) is a marvel of engineering and artistry. From the cotton Mundu of Kerala to the silk Kanjivaram of Tamil Nadu to the Bandhani of Gujarat, the saree is regional pride. However, draping a saree for a 9-to-5 job is labor-intensive.
Women generally lead the preparations for major festivals like Diwali, Eid, Navratri, and Christmas, passing traditions down to the next generation.
The modern Indian woman lives in a constant state of negotiation. She may wear jeans to college but a saree at her grandmother’s birthday. She may have a live-in relationship in a metro but agree to an arranged marriage. She may lead a boardroom meeting and then perform aarti (a religious ritual) at the family temple.