The Offbeat Sari

A major exhibition celebrating the contemporary sari.

The Offbeat Sari exhibition shows how designers, wearers and craftspeople are reshaping the ways in which the sari is understood, designed, made and worn in contemporary urban India.

This exhibition unravels its numerous forms, demonstrating the sari to be a metaphor for the layered and complex definitions of India today and a site for design innovation, an expression of identity and resistance, and a crafted object carrying layers of new materialities.

A sari (or saree) is a traditional garment that consists of several yards of silk or cotton, often brightly coloured and intricately embroidered. It is usually worn with a short fitted blouse with the sari skilfully draped over the body so that one end forms a skirt and the other a head or shoulder covering. Saris are widely worn throughout south Asia - including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

The Offbeat Sari is a touring exhibition by the Design Museum, London and curated by Priya Khanchandani.

Ashdeen © Hormis Antony Tharakan

This exhibition is kindly supported by MK Rose Charitable Trust. With thanks to Arts Council England and players of People's Postcode Lottery.