When you think of the sari the one image that cannot escape your mind if you are a true Bollywood fan is the rain-drenched Hindi heroine dancing to some music wearing a beautiful sari.
The sari brings to my mind the quintessential Indian woman’s beauty. Draped in 6 yards of this sari they look so elegant, graceful. Timeless classic. It is the only traditional Indian dress that has lasted beyond time. Whether you imagine a Rekha or Hema Malini or Nargis or Madhubala or Sridevi an Indian heroine without the sari no way!
Why is the sari so essential to the Indian heroine. Simply because it makes any woman tall, short, thin, fat just look more beautiful and adds glamour with a dash of tradition perhaps that’s what they want to portray with the sari. And it’s simply Indian.
Madhubala’s magic! Ek ladki bheegi bhagi se …..The iconic song with the actress looking every bit ravishing in her sari avatar.
Nargis and her sari – Nargis was known for her penchant for a white sari. She wore a sari with embroidery or organza
Meena Kumari the tragedy queen and her floral print sari are evergreens even today in terms of trendsetters.
Mumtaz and her sari were ahead of her time. The orange sari gown in Aaj kal tere mere Pyaar Ke charche can never be forgotten.
Rekha and her sari– The kanjiveeram clad Rekha could put many of the new heroines to shame .
Sreedevi and her sari
Who can forget Sridevi in Mr. India with a blue sari and Kate Nahin Kathe din yeh raat with all her sultry moves and the invisible sari romance?
Madhuri Dixit and her sari
The dhak dhak girl has sung and danced to many a hearts with her charming presence and personality
Vidya balan and the new age heroine still looking resplendent in her sari
The screen is set on fire .. you see the heroines in the black& white era to the colour rich era every heroine you could think of has draped the sari in different ways accentuating the female charm. The Indian fem Fatale cannot be without the sari. It’s got history and is always in vogue no matter what. The Indian heroine has draped this sari with much grace and managed to bring out so many shades to the sari from how you wear, to design and colour. So when in doubt wear the sari just like our heroines!
Reflections 
Well researched and illustrated effectively with memorable portraits of leading Indian actresses. While covering up and indeed ‘hiding’ the flaws , a saree brings out the Indianness in any character in the movie.
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Thanks Venkat !!
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