Sari School: A workshop on the six-yard wonder

In an endeavour to promote and celebrate the six-yard wonder, Jaypore.com -- an online portal that links the world to traditional handicrafts -- hosted a sari styling workshop with textile enthusiast Rta Kapur Chishti.

The workshop began with an introduction to the history and tradition of the sari, its journey from the single garment adorning an Indian woman centuries ago, to its adaptations and regional interpretations today.

"We feel this workshop is a way for participants to discover unique ways of wearing the sari, far beyond the traditional method that many find cumbersome. It is to make this versatile garment an interesting choice of everyday wear for all women, regardless of age and previous initiation," said Shilpa Sharma, co-founder, Jaypore.com

Crowding around the room with a sari in hand, everyone gathered around Chishti as she went on to teach four regional styles -- ranging from the experimental Coorg style, with pleats at the back and to the adventurous Venukagundaram of Andhra Pradesh. During the group interaction, there was room for individual styling as per the desires of the wearer.

Kavita, one of the participants at the workshop, said: "It was an eye-opener for me, personally, to see a sari version of a Greek toga, shorts, palazzos and others. It was altogether a bizarrely intriguing showcase."

This particular activity, part of the brand's series to encourage the revival of textiles, left everyone with a desire to embrace the sari in its free-spirited form.

Sharma added: "Jaypore.com is about connecting the world to fine Indian techniques and workmanship through a curation of beautiful products that incorporate traditional arts."

The team at Jaypore.com journeys across India to discover the best designs from artisans and craftsmen from even the remote corners and tell the story of their origins, as they deliver them at an affordable value to their customers.