Madhuri Dixit Nene’s ombré sari pays homage to bandhani and Banarasi craftsmanship

Madhuri Dixit Nene’s sari moments often remind us why she remains an enduring style icon, and her latest outing makes a strong case for the timelessness of craft-led design. Draped in Naina Jain’s handwoven organza, her six yards melted from soft lavender into jewel-toned purple. A gradient that caught the light like shifting twilight.

The border, however, is where the story deepens. “Madhuri’s sari is edged with a peacock woven Banarasi along with bandhani fabric,” shares Jain. Bandhani, derived from the Sanskrit word bandh (to tie), is among the oldest tie-dye traditions, dating back over 5,000 years. Each dot is formed by hand-tied knots resisting dye, creating constellations of pattern when threads are removed. The result is a constellation of delicate dots, each imperfectly perfect.

Here, the border was further elevated with zari motifs, while the sari’s body carried delicate aari embroidery in paisley formations. Jain describes it as a revival of heritage techniques in a language that feels strikingly modern. “The sari’s body is has delicate aari hand embroidery, rendering itself as Paisley motifs,” shares Jain, adding, “Madhuri kept the focus on the sari by pairing it with a plain purple sleeveless blouse with a scooped neckline.”

The actor punctuated her sari with heirloom-inspired accents from PNG Jewellers. The standout is a statement gold necklace crafted with polki and rubies. A pair of matching chandbaali earrings complemented the vintage look, while a stack of kadas peppered with bangles was the apt flourish to her wrists. Madhuri Dixit Nene kept to her signature beauty look with smoky eyes, softly contoured cheeks and nude lips to balance the vibrant tones of her sari. Whether it’s Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, Diwali celebrations or a destination wedding, her sari emerges as a winning choice to uphold tradition as well as reinvent it.

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