When it comes to bridal sarees for traditional weddings in Sri Lanka, the osariya is a long-standing favourite and here’s more on this beautiful style.
What Is an Osariya?
This is a style of saree draping that’s also the national dress of Sinhalese women. It originated from Kandy and is a popular choice of bridal attire; it’s thus no surprise that brides celebrating their big day at hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka at properties the likes of Earl’s Regent Kandy will often choose to wear the osariya.
A Bit of History
The original version of this saree style came from South India, which some believe was initially introduced in Kandy by the Nayakkar kings who ruled at the time. The higher class “Radala” women of Kandy were the first to adopt the osariya, while later, Western influences led to the addition of a tight-fitting jacket / sari blouse.
The Osariya Today
A wedding osariya is generally made from silk that’s five to six yards in length. Unlike the draping styles of Indian sarees, it doesn’t have pleats at the waist; while the waist is wrapped in cloth, one end is draped over the shoulder. Distinctive elements include an ornate frill at the side of the waist (odokkuwa) and frilled borders of the fall over the shoulder (osari pota).
Other Elements
There are other notable elements in a Kandyan wedding osariya too; the material which can be variations of white can feature geometric patterns or floral designs. The sari blouse usually has puffed sleeves, while jewellery is another key element and includes ornate necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
