Seedha Pallu is a forward-facing variation of the Nivi drape where the pallu is brought from the back over the right shoulder to fall at the front — the opposite direction to standard Nivi. This keeps the decorative end of the saree visible at the front of the body throughout the day, which is practical for sarees with heavy pallu embroidery or print. It is a beginner drape because the technique is the same as Nivi with only the pallu direction changed.
Tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat at your right hip, leaving about 25cm above the waistband.
Wrap the fabric around the body from right to left, keeping the border at the hem level.
Make 5 to 7 even pleats at the front and tuck them into the petticoat just left of centre, pleats facing left.
Wrap the remaining fabric across the front of the body from left to right.
Bring the pallu around the back from left to right.
Bring the pallu over the right shoulder so it falls at the front-right side of the body.
Let the pallu hang at the front or pin it at the right shoulder so it falls diagonally across the chest.
Arrange the decorative end of the pallu so the embellishment or print faces outward.
Pin at the right shoulder seam of the blouse.
For heavily embroidered Banarasi or Kanjivaram sarees, this drape keeps the zari pallu visible the entire time rather than hiding it behind the left shoulder.
The pallu can be spread wide across the front for a more dramatic look, or kept folded for a neat daytime office drape.
Tuck the pallu end loosely into the waist on the right side to stop it swinging forward when you walk.
The saree has a plain pallu and the design is only at the hem border — the seedha pallu direction adds nothing visually in that case
Women who want the decorative pallu of a Banarasi or embroidered saree on display at the front throughout the occasion.
Jaya Bachchan at formal events in Banarasi sarees with visible pallu embroidery