Madisar

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The Madisar is the style in which the sari is worn by the Brahmin community in Tamil Nadu, India. In ancient days, this was the mandatory style in which the sari was supposed to be worn by a woman after her marriage, but today, to suit modern trends, yet accommodate traditions, the madisaar is worn by women on selected festive occasions and while witnessing ceremonies. Normally saris are six yards in length, but since the madisar is worn in a different style, one requires a nine-yard sari to wear it. It is a very important part of the Iyer and Iyengar culture. Both Iyer and Iyengar Brahmin wear madisars for all important occasions in their lives, starting with marriage, followed by Seemandham (form of a baby shower), all important poojas, and death ceremonies.

Iyers and Iyengars wear Madisars differently. Iyers wear the Pallu (the layer of the saree which comes over one's shoulder)over the right shoulder, but Iyengars wear it over the left shoulder.

Madisars are available in a variety of materials such as silk, cotton, cotton-silk blends, polyester-cotton blends, etc.