Nalli - Weaving a Timeless Tale of Tradition and Elegance
Updated: May 25
I initially documented this article two years after getting married, which was in 2013, and I've revisited it now to enhance the finer details of my narrative about the esteemed brand Nalli, known for its legacy in silk sarees in India since 1928. Please be aware that I am not promoting or endorsing Nalli in any way; these are solely my personal experiences that I've shared in writing. Nalli happened to be a significant part of a crucial phase in my life, hence my fond reminiscence of the past involving Nalli.
My wedding took place in the scorching month of April 2011, but I'm thankful that we had unexpected rain on the big day, transforming it into a monsoon wedding in Bengaluru. The wedding was a Coorgi – Tamilian combination style, since my roots are in Coorg, Karnataka* and his in Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu*, and the rituals were performed at the ISCON temple in Bengaluru. A destination chosen keeping in mind people flying in from Mumbai, Chennai, Mysore and Coorg.
The Tamilian Brahmin* tradition required four saree changes, while the Coorgi tradition added another two saree changes to the nine-hour-long ceremony, yet this was considered quite normal and not a big deal. The bigger deal was to shop for these grand Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees*. Families got together, excited mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters and the entire women ensemble assembled to discuss the most important aspect of the wedding - the bridal wear. And one unanimous decision was made – Nalli.
3 months before the D Day, my mom and mother-in-law drove me to the invariably busy and buzzing Tamilian hub of Mumbai – Matunga and enter did we to Nalli`s Silks Saree Centre. Not even five steps into the shop, and we were greeted by this very friendly man draped in a white dhoti* ushering us to the ‘Pure Zari’* saree section as if reading our minds.
Yes, a pure zari saree is way more expensive than a tested zari saree. My mother-in-law came to my rescue explaining to me the difference in the two – the pure zari is made using a silk thread and twisted over it is a silver wire and the same is dipped in gold while a tested zari is one in which a copper wire is electroplated with silver and then gold plated. Thus a tested zari is cheaper than a pure zari. You can instantly know the difference when you see the gaudy golden color of the tested zari in comparison to the subtle gold color of a pure zari. The larger the zari motifs, the higher the cost of the saree - a characteristic often used to symbolize the social status of individuals in Tamil Nadu. The shop was stacked with all kinds of sarees in vibrant colors – the blues, greens, reds, oranges, yellows and purples being the traditional color palette and the green-blue, violet, burgundy, beige, black with temple border designs being the contemporary color palette suiting most of the hip youngsters! These were one of the finest silk sarees I had ever seen in my life. It's no surprise that both my mother and mother-in-law consistently radiated grace and style at every event, proudly showcasing the Nalli tradition and elegance!
There were predominantly in two sizes – the six meters and the 9 meters size. Since, the typical Tamilian bride had to drape herself in the nine-yard sarees and the Coorgi sarees went over the shoulder, being the six-meter one, I had to make a choice of one 9-yard saree for the main Muhurtam* and 6 – 7 sarees of the normal styles. What I didn’t know was that the heavy silk sarees were embroidered with real gold or silver. The most striking part was the pallu (the part of the saree that is thrown over the shoulder) and the borders are the ones that had more designs and variation in colors compared to the rest of the sarees. These sarees were incredibly weighty, and as a slender and frail individual, I found it challenging to choose which one to select. And much to my surprise, seeing my saddened face the salesman offered me a way lighter saree that reflected the richness in it, offered by its subtle gold color with a dash of peach and red. Psst psst, it is known that the heavier the silk in the saree, the more expensive the sari.
Also, there were various other types of sarees available – hand woven ones and the machine-woven ones. Additionally, cotton , crepe chiffon and designer sarees were also available. And so were available silk dhotis (now priced between ₹ 1000 and ₹ 75,000) and cotton dhotis (now priced approximately at ₹ 500). They also have a private-label collection of costume jewelry and accessories, stoles and dupattas. I spent a considerable three hours in the store, but I had no regrets as I ultimately purchased a light cream with white gold saree for my grandmother, a peach and brick-red saree for my mother, a vibrant fluorescent green and yellow saree for my mother-in-law, and about six sarees for myself.
I felt contented and satisfied while walking out of the store. Back then, I couldn't have foreseen that I would wear these very sarees again for my seemantham* three years later, my sister's wedding, my son's naming ceremony four years later, and my brother-in-law's wedding eight years later; astonishingly, these sarees have endured over time, retaining the same luster and sparkle as if they were purchased just yesterday.
About Nalli
Nalli, headquartered in Chennai, is a prominent Indian clothing boutique specializing in silk sarees and was established in 1928 by its founder, Nalli Chinnasamy Chetti.
Number of locations: 39+ stores in India including Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and overseas including USA., Canada and Singapore.
Please refer to the official website for more details: https://www.nalli.com Kindly note that this was the experience stated from my wedding preparations back in 2013.
* References
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are states in the Southern Part of India
Karnataka is a southwestern state in India known for its stunning natural landscapes, including lush forests and scenic coastlines and historical narratives including the Maurya, Chalukya, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara dynasties.
Tamil Nadu is a southern Indian state celebrated for its ancient Dravidian culture, classical arts, historic temples, and scenic coastal beauty.
Tamilian Brahmin - Tamilian Brahmins are a community of South Indian Hindus known for their diverse cultural legacy, deep-rooted traditions, and a predominantly vegetarian diet with a focus on rice, lentils, and various flavourful spices.
Kanjeevaram silk sarees - Kanjeevaram silk sarees are exquisite handwoven garments, renowned for their colourful, luxurious silk, intricate zari work, and are considered one of India's most prized traditional textiles.
Dhoti - A dhoti is a traditional and unstitched rectangular piece of cloth, typically wrapped around the waist (also called lungi) and worn by men in various South Asian countries.
Pure Zari - Pure zari refers to a type of thread or metallic thread made from fine silver or gold, used primarily in weaving traditional Indian textiles, especially in sarees, to impart a rich and authentic look.
Muhurtam - Muhurtam is a Sanskrit term referring to an auspicious and specific moment in time, for example in a Hindu wedding, chosen in Hindu astrology and Vedic tradition, to perform important ceremonies, rituals, or events for positive outcomes and success.
Seemantham - Seemantham is a traditional Hindu ceremony celebrated during pregnancy to shower blessings on the expectant mother and her unborn child, often involving rituals, prayers, and the sharing of gifts.
Wonderful & Memorable !
excellent almost felt that i was going thru the wedding preparation all over again after 27 years. Srini (Ravi)