The Sindhi drape is the traditional saree style of the Sindhi Hindu community. It is most distinctive in that the pallu falls over the right shoulder (like Gujarati and Odia) and the pleats are made at the back rather than the front, creating a smooth unpleated front panel. The Sindhi community drapes the saree at weddings, Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year), and Teej. The drape is passed down within families and has slight variations between different Sindhi sub-regions.
Tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat at the right hip, leaving about 25cm above the waistband.
Wrap the fabric around the body from right to left, keeping the border at the hem.
Continue wrapping the fabric around the body a second time — at this point the front should be smooth with two layers of fabric.
Make 5 to 7 pleats at the back-centre and tuck them into the petticoat at the back, pleats facing right.
Bring the remaining fabric (the pallu) from the back around the right side of the body.
Bring the pallu across the front of the body from right to left.
Drape the pallu over the right shoulder.
Pin the pallu at the right shoulder seam so it falls behind the right shoulder.
The front should remain smooth and unpleated, with the pallu border displayed across the chest.
The smooth front is the defining feature — ensure no fabric is bunching or folding at the front during the wrapping steps.
Sindhi embroidered sarees (with Sindhi mirrorwork or chain stitch on the pallu) show best in this right-shoulder drape.
Cheti Chand is the main Sindhi occasion to wear this drape — it is also worn at community weddings in the Sindhi tradition.
Very slippery fabrics without any grip — the smooth unpleated front relies on the fabric staying in place without the anchoring effect of front pleats
Sindhi women at community weddings, Cheti Chand celebrations, and family ceremonies where the traditional Sindhi draping style carries cultural meaning.
Sindhi community women at Cheti Chand melas across Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune