Saris: An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art of Draping by Chantal Boulanger

Saris: An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art of Draping by Chantal Boulanger

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Saris: An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art of Draping by Chantal Boulanger

This book is a manual to learn how to wrap (drape) 100 sari styles and other unstitched clothing of India (dhoti, mekhla, veshti).

It has 700 illustrations showing step-by-step how to produce these costumes from the flat piece of cloth. Many of these styles are about to be forgotten and this book will soon be the only way to learn some traditional sari wrapping techniques.

The book also has an introduction to basic draping techniques and a chapter on the history and evolution of Indian unstitched clothes, as well as some explanations about the social implications of clothing in India.

Message from the author:

Of all the arts that have flourished in India, one of the least known and studied is that of draping. This is all the more extraordinary because it is a unique art and craft which offers special insights into the ethnology of Indian and South-East Asianpeoples and the archaeology of the periods in which it developed.  I have spent years researching sari drapes and recording over 100 different styles of draping. My findings bring out new ways for classifying Indian costumes and open different perspectives on the meaning of drapes. It demonstrates that most saris fit into a few “families” corresponding to ethnic origins.

Saris are also the expression of women's creativity and could inspire anyone. I don't believe that these drapes should simply be recorded and then be confined to dusty libraries in the future. Drapes have many advantages over stitched clothes, especially when beauty is an important value. Saris are much more practical than we think, especially since they can be so easily modified.

Saris are fun to wear. From the material of this book, they can be tried by anyone, and more styles can be created. By teaching workshops on draping, I have learned that there is for each woman one drape that fits her perfectly. It's not often the modern sari, and can be any of the styles in this book, or even one the woman invents for herself. So I made this work for anybody who wants, at least once, to wear a drape, any kind of drape.

Draping is an art. I hope this book will help it take its placeas a heritage of mankind.

Chantel (author)

Review

This book is a real find for anyone interested saris and should appeal to all lovers of costume, and how to wear it. There are, according to the author, about 100 methods of sari draping (Dhotis are also included in the book.) The quality of the book is good, and the spiral binding makes it easier to try out the drapes as you wind between 5 to 9 yards around yourself. I have discovered drapes I never knew existed, having worn only what I now know is the Nivi drape, or a couple of variations--lots of fun here for the adventurous. This is a class act, written by a highly educated and travelled anthropologist. If you enjoy the history of clothing, theatricals, dressing up, etc you will never pass this lovely big book on, but keep it as a favourite. I have never personally found another book with more than one method of draping saris to date. I'm happy with my copy, and hope others will enjoy theirs as much.

Spiral-bound: 144 pages

Publisher:       Shakti Pr (Dec 1997)

Language:      English

ISBN-10:          0966149610

ISBN-13:          978-0966149616

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