Contemporary Bengal Sari

Magenta, blue, green “watercolor” bands with black and white borders


Contemporary sari purchased at a textile trade fair in Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal. The sari features broad horizontal bands of saturated blue, turquoise green and pink, separated by narrow black-and-white geometric borders. Repeated diamond, zigzag and small abstract floral motifs form continuous decorative bands. The design draws on the striped and geometric vocabulary associated with Bengal handloom weaving traditions, such as Santipur and Dhaniakhali sari weaving. The bold, contemporary color palette giving the textile a distinctly contemporary character.

  • A sari is a traditional, unstitched garmet from the Indian subcontinent, consisting of fabric draped across the body. The standard length of a general Indian sari is 5.5 -6 meters (approximately 6 yards), with a width of 44 to 48 inches.

    A sari is typically wrapped around the waist with one end, then thrown over the shoulder, it is widely worn across India for both everyday life and formal occasions.

    It is first wrapped around the waist and tucked into and secured in a petticoat with a drawstring skirt. The petticoat is worn underneath to provide a base for the drape and flow of the sari. A sari is worn with a blouse, or Choli, a short, tight, cropped top worn underneath. The Pallu is the highly decorative end of the sari which is draped over the shoulder.

 

  • Title: Watercolor Sari

  • Date: 2008

  • Geography: West Bengal, India

  • Medium: Silk

  • Dimensions: H. 240 in.  W. 44.75 in.

  • Provenance: Purchased in Calcutta, India

  • Inventory Number:  IN.12