Madisar
A nine-yard drape worn by Tamil Brahmin women, with the pleats passed between the legs.
Also: madisaar, madisara, Iyengar style
The madisar is the nine-yard drape of Tamil Brahmin women, particularly in Iyer and Iyengar families. It is worn on ritual occasions and at weddings. The cloth is wrapped, pleated and passed between the legs, and the end is taken over the shoulder. The Iyengar version differs from the Iyer one in how the cloth is tucked and where the pleats fall. Madisar sarees are woven in cotton and silk, and are often in bright colours with a narrow border. The word madi means ritual purity.