Kashta's cultural importance 

 

India's Konkan area is widely known for its rich cultural diversity and intriguing way of life. Maharashtra's, Goa's, and Karnataka's western beaches each have a unique historical importance. Similar to how each region of the country is distinguished by its specialties, each state has a unique history when it comes to apparel. One of the most popular saree covers from India is the "kashta" or nauvari.

 

Rani Laxmi Bai popularised the Kashata/Kashati drape, which signifies that one's attire should not encroach on one's freedom—even at a time of war. When Rani Laxmi Bai engaged in combat with British riders on a horse, she was wearing a 9-yard-long kashta saree. These mediaeval masterpieces about Marathi women joining their husbands in battle while dressed in a kashta are also worth reading. For more movement, women created the Nauvari drape, which resembles a man's pant. Since then, it has changed into the accepted appearance. By donning it, they are constantly reminded of their value in the culture that is dominated by men and of their equality in former times.

 

As an identity, Kashta:

 

Identity is largely expressed via one's clothing. Does your drape give you away? It speaks volumes about a person's lifestyle, interests, and place of employment in addition to culture. Up until this day, Kashta has recognised and is still identifying women from the Konkan area. According to the tale, the kashta drape gained respect when women started receiving more priority in workplace settings and doing jobs other than being housewives. Women have consistently been multitaskers.

 

The stunning Nauvari saree is what brides generally use during their wedding celebrations. The saree is draped in a traditional way, frequently looking gorgeous. It is particularly notable as many ladies may be seen wearing Kashta-draped sarees throughout numerous festivals, including Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa. The kashta drape appears difficult to people who are wearing it for the first time, but if you know how to do it precisely, it only takes 3–4 minutes. The drape is fashioned in three ways as it is now, namely Brahimini and Peshvai.

 

Lavani Kashta Saree being draped

 

Make sure the border of a kashta saree is visible when wearing it. The inner part should be taken and draped over the waist from the rear, with a knot being tied on the right side in front. The pallu pleats should be set and properly pinned in length to keep them in place. Set the Pallu at the left shoulder and roughly secure it with pins on the shirt.

Before performing a wrap-around, left side tuck, adjust the front drape border. Your front loop will be used to create pleats in your skirt. Later, to make the saree seem like a dhoti, draw the bottom centre edge of the garment toward the front.

 

The skirt that opens to the right should then be given lower pleats. Align each pleat, then carefully wrap each one up to the knee, beginning with the big pleat fabric on the left.

Fold the pleats once into a bundle while holding the top edge, then cover it with the waist border to keep it in place. Once more dragging the fabric from back to front, tuck the leftover piece into the waistband.

 

Now, create the bottom pleats on both sides. Draw the lower edge of this portion back between your legs while holding it to do the Kashta. After folding, make pleats on the border area's folded piece to ensure that the right side rises.

The left side border should be pinned in place before being tucked under the waistline. Adjust the front drape pleats there once your outer border is in the cowl covering the front mid-waist region, and your Lavani drape is finished.

 

It can come in several variations, including single border, double border, and single border kashta drapes without pleats. Whichever suits the wearer is up to them.

 

Embracing modernity: The saree is draped in the same way with a single border in Brahmani. Bollywood actresses prominently display it. featured in Pinga Dance and Bajirao Mastani. The only difference is that the saree has a separate procedure after tucking the kashta. The front drape has a side-tucked border and the appearance of a wide cowl.

 

In contrast, Maratha Peshwa has an impact on Peshvai. The usage of silk as opposed to borders made in the zigzag peshvai saree style is the sole distinction. regularly observed at Marathi weddings. A woman's wardrobe has always included the saree in some kind. The Konkani people today appear to have a more contemporary fashion sense, with the kashta drape being reserved for special events like weddings and festivals. The saree is symbolic in a spiritual sense. Even by itself, the drape has a wealth of interesting mystical significance.

In addition to the Bhav, the style sense Chaitanya, the holy consciousness, and Marak shakti, the energy destroyer, are all present. Because of these characteristics, the saree is believed by many women to harness positive brain energy, destroy the ego, and also reduce negativity.

 

The saree has catered to the public all over the world, motivating designers and ladies to admire the lovely drape in their individual styles.

 

The drape completes the historical look when worn with fine gold jewellery and other decorations. Nauvari is not merely a liberation or a revolution; rather, it focused on a woman's everyday existence, upholding the force of modest Indian culture without preventing women from achieving their rights and pursuing their aspirations to experience what the outside world has to offer. The entire saree is innovative and epitomises the ideal lady.