The Sari Series: Preserving and Globalizing Traditional Indian Draping
The Sari Series, a monumental undertaking by Malika Verma and her organization Border&Fall, serves as a comprehensive digital repository for the intricate art of sari draping. This initiative seeks to preserve and disseminate the rich, diverse knowledge surrounding this traditional Indian garment, making it accessible to a global audience. Through a vast collection of instructional videos and insightful short films, the project highlights the regional variations and technical nuances involved in arranging the sari, thereby celebrating its cultural and aesthetic importance. As it nears its tenth year, The Sari Series continues to broaden its influence, fostering a deeper appreciation for Indian textile heritage worldwide.
Malika Verma, the visionary behind The Sari Series, established the project more than a decade ago with a clear objective: to systematically document and make freely available the diverse methods of sari draping. Her personal connection to the garment, having grown up outside India and later experiencing its cultural significance firsthand during her two decades of living and working in India, fueled her desire to create this invaluable resource. Verma's agency, Border&Fall, which operates between India and New York City, is dedicated to craft and design, further emphasizing her commitment to promoting and preserving traditional artistry.
The Sari Series is structured around two primary outputs. Firstly, it features an extensive library of eighty-nine draping videos, meticulously demonstrating techniques from fifteen distinct regions across India. These tutorials are designed to be practical, illustrating how a long piece of fabric is transformed into a gracefully draped garment through precise steps of tying, sweeping, pleating, and tucking. Each video is accompanied by detailed descriptions that provide context on the technique, region of origin, and material properties of the sari being showcased.
Secondly, the project includes three independent short films that delve into the broader cultural and aesthetic dimensions of the sari, offering a holistic understanding beyond mere instruction. These films capture the essence of the sari as more than just clothing, but as a reflection of identity, tradition, and artistry. Verma has emphasized the intentional choices made during the project's development, such as casting diverse models like Carol Humtsoe from Nagaland, a region often overlooked in mainstream Indian narratives. This decision aligns with Border&Fall's overarching mission to challenge and redefine global perceptions of what is "Made in India."
Verma's research journey, which laid the foundation for this extensive anthology, was significantly shaped by influential texts such as 'Saris: Tradition and Beyond' by Rta Kapur Chishti, who later became an advisor to The Sari Series, and Chantal Boulanger's 'An Illustrated Guide to the Indian Art of Draping.' Her aim was to democratize this knowledge, making it accessible to the general public rather than confining it to a select few. She observed a shift in the discourse around sari draping over the past decade, moving from a limited number of "Bollywood drapers" and wedding specialists to a burgeoning new generation of enthusiasts and influencers who are actively contributing to the evolution of draping techniques and styles. The project's success is evident in its widespread adoption, with the official hashtag #TheSariSeries boasting over 11,000 posts on Instagram, and strong collaborations with entities like the textile brand Raw Mango.
As The Sari Series approaches its tenth year, its impact has resonated far beyond India's borders. Verma notes that the project has garnered international recognition, with references and exhibitions by cultural institutions globally. While maintaining its core identity as a homegrown Indian initiative, the series is now poised for a multi-city global activation, partnering with numerous organizations interested in supporting its vision. This expansion signifies a broader movement to celebrate and preserve the sari's rich heritage, ensuring its continued relevance and appreciation on a worldwide scale.