Five Thousand Years Legend has it that when the beauteous Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas- was lost to the enemy clan in a gambling duel, Lord Krishna promised to protect her virtue.
The lecherous victors, intent on "bagging" their prize, caught one end of the diaphanous material that draped her so demurely, yet seductively. They continued to pull and unravel, but could reach no end.

Virtue triumphed yet again in this 5,000 years old Indian epic, the Mahabarat which many still debate whether it is a Legend, fantasy, history or fact.

The Mahabarat is the first recorded reference to the enduringly attractive Saree - the longest most popular style in the history of women's fashion.

Over the centuries, there have been changes. The diversity of the Indian people is reflected in a variety of materials used for a Saree and the way it is draped in the different parts of the country.

In the South of India, the nine yard length is draped between the legs to fashion flowing pants.

The Coorgi's from central and South India wear it to look like a modern western full length gown and some tribes use it to cover the topless.

The traditional six yard (approximately 5.5 metres) sari, however is a classic and allows for generous pleating and draping around the body and over the shoulder - almost Grecian in its elegance.

The basic draping of a Saree, the folding, tucking and pleating is shown in this website. Beyond that, the Saree is an Indian woman's statement to the world.

The Saree could be made out of shimmering silk, the finest gauzy cotton or even chemically altered polyester. Perhaps a pastel - hued solid colour or a riot of woven flowers. It may even be embroidered with golden threads or finished with a richly tasseled border. It speaks of romance or riches, of sobriety or gaiety, of sophistication or innocence. Men are intrigued by the demure floor - length attire and tantalizing display of a bare midriff in the back.

It is said that a Saree rarely fails to flatter a woman, making her feel fragile and feminine. It is an instant fashion, created by the hands of the wearer and subject to none of the vagaries and changes that plague the fashions of the western world.

The success of the Saree through all the centuries is attributed to its total simplicity and practical comfort, combined with the sense of luxury a woman experiences.

The Saree is mentioned in the Hindu literature and depicted in Hindu painting as far back as 3,000 B.C.

A charming folktale explains...," The Sari, it is said was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver. He dreamt of Women, the shimmer of tears, the drape of a tumbling hair, the colours of her many moods, the softness of her touch. All these he wove together, he couldn't stop. He wove for many yards. When he was done, as the story goes, he sat back and smiled and smiled and smiled...