Anjali’s Story – From Tears to Triumph Through a Saree Drape
By Mayuri – Founder, Mayuri Saree Draping
A Dream Across Continents
Some stories don’t need long chapters. They begin and end quickly but leave an imprint that lingers forever. This is one such story — of Aarohi, a bright-eyed student who walked into my studio in Mumbai for what was supposed to be a one-day intensive workshop on Gujarati saree draping.
A Passion for Tradition
She had flown in from Melbourne, visiting India for just a couple of weeks, and somehow squeezed in a few hours for a dream she’d held close for years.
She entered my studio with a warm, hopeful smile and said,
“Mayuri ji, I’ve always wanted to learn how to drape the Gujarati saree style. Every time I watch Navratri videos online, I feel like I’m missing a piece of my own culture.”
Her excitement was infectious. It felt like she had been preparing for this moment forever.
The Beginning of Her Journey
We began. And in just two hours, she had already started picking up pleats, tucks, and pallu flips like a natural. We laughed as she fumbled a bit and joked,
“This pallu has trust issues — it just won’t stay where I want it to!”
An Unexpected Goodbye
But just as she was starting to find her rhythm, her phone rang. One look at her face, and I knew something had shifted.
“Mayuri ji, I’m so sorry… there’s been a family emergency. I have to leave right now.”
She was flustered, yet calm — but behind her composure, I could sense the disappointment.
She gathered her things quickly, turned to me and said,
“I don’t know when, but I will finish this. This isn’t the end.”
A Promise to Return
And true to her word, two weeks later, I received a message from her — now back in Australia:
“Can we do the rest online? I kept practising what you taught me in those two hours… I don’t want to stop now.”
The Online Sessions Begin
So we resumed online. Sometimes early mornings for me, late nights for her — all for the love of the six yards.
We had our share of hilarious video call moments — like when she used a door hook as a makeshift pallu stand, or the time she accidentally draped the saree inside out and laughed,
“This looks like Gujarati gone global… and confused!”
But she never gave up. She practised, she refined, and by our third session, she had it — the full Gujarati drape. Front pallu, perfect pleats, and that unmistakable poise.
Full Circle: From Mumbai to Melbourne
Last month, she sent me a photo from her Garba night in Melbourne, glowing in a gorgeous Bandhani saree. Her caption read:
“Taught in Mumbai. Practised in Melbourne. Felt like home.”
The Magic of Saree Draping
That’s the magic of saree draping. It connects continents, generations, and hearts — even when the lesson begins in a little studio in Mumbai and ends halfway across the world.
To all women like Aarohi — your determination keeps our traditions alive, no matter where life takes you.
The Magic of Saree Draping
Visit mayurisareedraping.com to explore our offline and online saree draping classes. Whether you’re a bride-to-be, a working woman, or someone rediscovering your cultural roots—we’re here to help you shine in every drape.
DISCLAIMER : The photo used is for reference purposes only and does not represent or resemble any actual person mentioned in the story.