Sarrie

SARI, SARRIE

A shawl which is the feminine counterpart of the dhuti or dhooti, usually 40-in. wide and 7 yards to 8 yards long, worn as a skirt by the native women of India and the East Indies. Made in many qualities, but all have a woven or printed border at each side and a very fancy deep heading at each end. The sari is such a commonly used cloth that qualities range from a cheap grey with plain coloured borders up to expensive ones with silk or even gold thread borders. It is worn by the Mohammedan women in India, wrapped several times around the loins and part hanging down over the legs serves as a skirt, while the other end passes over the head and hangs down on one side. The Hindu women wear the Boonnee which is similar. The grey or white sari differs from the grey or white dhuti in having the border more than ³/₄-in. wide. The coloured sari is made in a great variety of colours and patterns and is generally worn by women of those classes in which the bordered grey or white dhuti is not worn by men. Saris are also made and sold in sets of two or more. These include Nilambari with blue ground, Patapati with printed designs. Anarasi of pineapple colour and Pachan worn by the aborigines of Ranchi.