Since childhood, we’ve seen our mothers do everything in a saree - cooking, working, caring for everyone, even running around the house with ease. The saree never stopped her. It always felt like a part of her grace and strength.
But have we ever thought about who made the saree so practical and comfortable to wear?
The answer takes us back to the 1800s, to a woman named Jnanadanandini Devi, who completely changed the way Indian women draped sarees.
How It All Began
In 1864, Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore, became the first Indian to join the Indian Civil Services (ICS).
When he was posted from Kolkata to Mumbai, he wanted his wife, Jnanadanandini Devi, to join him.
He wrote her a letter saying, “Even if you have to change your attire, don’t hesitate.”
Why did he write that?
Because during that time, most Bengali women stayed in a part of the house called the Andarkhana.
Their sarees were very light and translucent, and they didn’t wear any blouse or petticoat underneath.
It was suitable for home, but not for stepping out in public.
The Birth of the Modern Saree Drape
When Jnanadanandini Devi moved to Mumbai, she realised that the saree needed to be worn in a more practical way for women to step out confidently.
With inspiration from Parsi and European women, she created a new draping style, adding a blouse and a petticoat underneath, and wrapping the saree in a way that was both graceful and modest.
Later, Suniti Devi, the Queen of Cooch Behar, made her own small but important change. She added the nirya - the front pleats, which gave it a structured, elegant look.
Together, these two women transformed the saree into what we know today - a symbol of beauty, strength, and grace.
From Then to Now
What started as a practical solution in one family became a revolution in women’s clothing.
Over time, the saree drape evolved into many forms, the Bengali drape, the Gujarati seedha pallu, and the Nivi style we often wear today.
But every one of them carries a part of Jnanadanandini Devi’s idea - the vision that sarees should allow women to move freely while looking elegant.
What do you think should be the next practical innovation in saree draping today?
Because every era has its innovators, and maybe, the next one could be you.
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