Steps To Drape A Mekhla Or Assamese Style Saree

Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 18:29

To drape a saree is a difficult task. You need skills for it and more than that, you need practice. These days, most of us are bitten by the culture bug only on festive occasions. For example, Bihu, the Assamese new year is on its way. So, many of us would like to know how to drape a proper Assamese mekhla.

We might be able to wrap around a normal 6 yard saree with difficulty, but a special saree calls for special skills. To drape the traditonal saree called mekhla, you need to first know what it looks like.

The Parts Of A Traditional Assam Saree:

If you want to be technically correct, then this is not a saree to drape. It is a half saree. The original term for this saree is 'mekhla chaddor'. This is because this saree has 3 parts.

The Blouse Piece: You will get a matching blouse piece with this saree just like a normal saree. The only difference is, it will be already cut and wrapped. You have to get a blouse stitched according to your body measurements. Select blouse designs to make the blouse look attractive.
The Skirt: The body of this saree is like a skirt. Mind you, it is not a ghagra that can be tied. You have to drape the skirt in a particular style.
The Chaddor: This is like the 'anchal' of your saree but, it is distinct from a regular saree. It is like a dupatta but the dimensions are that of a huge shawl. This has to be draped on the upper half of your body like an anchal.

Steps To Drape A Saree In Assamese Style:

First of all, wear the matching blouse you got stitched, and the petticoat (has to match with the colour of your saree).
Now drape the skirt around and tuck it in like a Bengali saree. Make two pleats across each other in the front. It would be like folding your saree clockwise and then anticlockwise.
Draping a Chaddor is the trickiest part. There are mainly 2 ways to drape the saree from here.
Firstly, you can drape it like a normal saree. Start pleating your Chaddor from the very end and tuck it towards the left end of your waist. Wrap the remaining length of the Chaddor around your hips and drape the rest of it across your chest.
Secondly, there is recent style of wearing the Chaddor (like a half saree). Tuck one end of the cloth at the right end of your waist. Wrap the remaining length in a full circle around your hips. Drape the rest of the chaddor over your shoulders from behind in imitation of a Gujrati 'pallu'.

To drape a saree in an Assamese style for Bihu would definitely be easier with these steps.