Bharatanatyam is a traditional Indian dance most practiced in the southern states, although popular throughout the length and breadth of the country, and beyond. It requires years of study that starts very early in one’s life and extend through teenage and beyond.

I took up the challenge of making a Bharatanatyam dress for two of my friends. The result is in front of your eyes. Although the dresses came out beautifully, I am not hesitant to confess that it was one of the toughest set of dresses I have made thus far.

When my friend Neenu entrusted his 5K rupees beautiful black and orange south-Indian silk Saree to me to turn it into a traditional dance dress I was quick to take up the challenge. I had underestimated the time and effort it would take me to finish it. It took me about three weeks to finish the black and orange one you see on the photos above and below. Having mastered the art, making the black and pink one my friend Manjari is wearing was much easier, and took much less time.

The dress consists of five parts – the blouse, pants with buttons, large fan, back piece, and the drape over bosom – all cut and stitched out of the same silk Saree. The large fan attaches with the pants on both sides and beautifully fans out. The pant was the most intricate of all the pieces, required ironing and sewing over and over again. The back piece with a small fan attaches with at the waist. The drape covers the bosom and goes over the shoulder.

My only regret is that I couldn’t go see them perform wearing the dresses I made.