Pleats
The fan of folds in the middle of the saree, tucked into the waist at the front.
Also: pleat, kosuvam, kuchi, nari
Pleats are the neat folds that the wearer makes from the cloth at the front of the saree. In the Nivi drape about five to seven pleats are made, each a hand-span or so wide, then held together and tucked into the waist at the navel, with the folds falling to the ankle. The pleats give the saree its freedom of movement in walking and its shape in standing. Other drapes make pleats differently, such as the Madisar and Maharashtrian styles, where pleats are passed between the legs. Pleats can also be pinned or stitched in ready-to-wear sarees.