Sundugi Cotton Sarees: Madurai’s Star-studded Tradition 

From the banks of the River Vaigai in Madurai rises a textile legacy as delicate as starlight:

The sundugi cotton saree. To drape one is to wrap yourself in centuries-old artistry, South Indian ingenuity, and the breezy comfort only our cotton can offer. Sundugi cotton sarees are a celebration of Saurashtrian weaving heritage, Tamil flair for colour, and the quietly spectacular lives of the women who wear them.

The Origin and History of Sundugi Cotton Sarees

Sundugi derives from the Sanskrit “Sunnam” (circle), a name that alludes to both celestial constellations and the hypnotic dots that dance across each fabric. The sundugi tradition began over 500 years ago, when Saurashtrian weavers, displaced by Mughal invasions in Gujarat, journeyed south to Madurai. Embraced by royalty and welcomed by the Nayak dynasty, they brought with them advanced cotton weaving and tie-dye methods, blending them with Tamil drape aesthetics.

Unlike the grand silks of Kanchipuram or the rich art of Chettinad, sundugi cotton sarees flourished among everyday citizens of Madurai. Their cooling comfort, affordability, durability, and festive beauty made them a trusted companion for temple, market, festival, and home. Ancient sundugi sarees even found admirers in courts, revered by queens for their elegance in India’s tropical climates. Today, they stand with equal grace in both tradition and modern wardrobes- a testament to timeless craft and evolving style.

The Sundugi Weaving and Dyeing Process

It is the tie-dye (“Bandhani”) process, perfected in Madurai, that lends sundugi its iconic look. The steps are elaborate, painstaking, and often distributed between generations of skilled artisans.

  • Sourcing and Weaving the Base: Madurai Sundugi cotton sarees begin with combined or carded cotton yarn (counts of 80’s to 100’s for warp and weft). The cloth is woven on handlooms, its measurements set for the perfect 5.5 metres of drape with an accompanying blouse piece. 
  • Marking the Fabric: Using a pencil, artisans meticulously plot thousands of grids, readying the fabric for knotting.
  • Pinching and Tying: Women artisans pinch tiny sections of fabric- sometimes up to 20,000 knots in a single saree- and tie each firmly with cotton thread. This is a physical act of devotion, bending artistry into every knot.
  • Dyeing- Madurai’s Signature: The tied fabric takes its first bath in vats of natural or vegetable dye. The famed water of the Vaigai River is said to impart a special glow. Sometimes, a saree undergoes multiple rounds of knotting and dyeing for overlaid colour effects. When the knots are undone, circles of undyed cotton (white or base shade) dot the field, against a dyed ground.
  • Sun drying and Finishing: Washed, stretched, brushed and dried under the Madurai sun, sundugi sarees emerge crisp, vibrant and radiantly soft. Each now reflects the weaver's hand, the river and the sky above.

The tie-dye method itself originates in ancient Banarasi and Kutch traditions but finds its highest refinement in Madurai’s sundugi cotton saree. Sundugi sarees display a remarkable variety- tiny “nanthu” dots, star clusters, diagonal lines, or flower sprays- each with its own festive or symbolic meaning. 

The Living Legacy: Story, Symbolism, and Heirloom Value

 For Madurai’s families, sundugi sarees are heirlooms. Festival attire, spiritual companions, and daily comforts. Daughters receive their first sundugi at puberty rites, wear them for Avani Avittan, and treasure them for temple festivals, Navratri, and Chithirai Thiruvizha and other major local celebrations. Folk tradition holds that every new bride must own at least one sundugi saree, believed to bring prosperity and joy.

Beyond Madurai: Modern Resonance

Though timeless in design, sundugi cotton sarees have adapted to changing tastes- adopting pan-Indian palettes, contemporary motifs and borders, and new blouse pairings. Younger women style them with statement jewellery, contrast blouses, or even as resort wear, sustaining a vibrant market both in India and abroad.

Pothys’ sundugi cotton saree online collection makes these drapes accessible for all, combining the spirit of Madurai’s streets with global fashion aesthetics.

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Navy blue Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari temple border, striped pallu & contrast plain blouse Navy blue Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari temple border, striped pallu & contrast plain blouse

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Navy blue Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari temple border, striped pallu & contrast plain blouse

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₹ 750
White Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari temple border, striped pallu & contrast plain blouse White Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari temple border, striped pallu & contrast plain blouse

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White Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari temple border, striped pallu & contrast plain blouse

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₹ 750
Rani pink zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border decked up with peacock motifs, zari striped pallu & contrast veldhari stripes blouse Rani pink zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border decked up with peacock motifs, zari striped pallu & contrast veldhari stripes blouse

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Rani pink zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border decked up with peacock motifs, zari striped pallu & contrast veldhari stripes blouse

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₹ 1,075
Maroon zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast pink border of zari peacock motifs & checked peacock motif pink blouse Maroon zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast pink border of zari peacock motifs & checked peacock motif pink blouse

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Maroon zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast pink border of zari peacock motifs & checked peacock motif pink blouse

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₹ 1,040
Rani pink full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain blue blouse Rani pink full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain blue blouse

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Rani pink full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain blue blouse

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₹ 845
Maroon full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain pink blouse Maroon full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain pink blouse

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Maroon full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain pink blouse

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₹ 845
Brown zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast orange border of zari peacock motifs & checked peacock motif orange blouse Brown zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast orange border of zari peacock motifs & checked peacock motif orange blouse

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Brown zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast orange border of zari peacock motifs & checked peacock motif orange blouse

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₹ 1,040
Navy blue gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped Navy blue blouse Navy blue gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped Navy blue blouse

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Navy blue gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped Navy blue blouse

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₹ 1,040
Rama checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari peacock motif border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse Rama checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari peacock motif border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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Rama checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari peacock motif border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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₹ 990
Green zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse Green zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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Green zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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₹ 995
Green zari checked & floral printed sungudi cotton saree, piping zari border,self-pallu & matching blouse of zari & floral print work Green zari checked & floral printed sungudi cotton saree, piping zari border,self-pallu & matching blouse of zari & floral print work

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Green zari checked & floral printed sungudi cotton saree, piping zari border,self-pallu & matching blouse of zari & floral print work

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₹ 990
Pink plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam motifs, gold zari woven border, zari striped, and zari design contrast blouse Pink plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam motifs, gold zari woven border, zari striped, and zari design contrast blouse

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Pink plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam motifs, gold zari woven border, zari striped, and zari design contrast blouse

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₹ 960
Borderless white Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse Borderless white Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse

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Borderless white Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse

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₹ 795
Black-Red Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse Black-Red Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse

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Black-Red Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse

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₹ 880
Pink gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped pink blouse Pink gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped pink blouse

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Pink gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped pink blouse

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₹ 1,040
Pink and maroon zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock motifs zari border, checked pallu, and contrast checked blouse Pink and maroon zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock motifs zari border, checked pallu, and contrast checked blouse

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Pink and maroon zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock motifs zari border, checked pallu, and contrast checked blouse

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₹ 995
Cream zari striped sungudi cotton saree,1000 buttas temple border of butta enclosed checks, striped pallu & gopuram zari woven red border Cream zari striped sungudi cotton saree,1000 buttas temple border of butta enclosed checks, striped pallu & gopuram zari woven red border

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Cream zari striped sungudi cotton saree,1000 buttas temple border of butta enclosed checks, striped pallu & gopuram zari woven red border

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₹ 1,240
Tomato pink full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain maroon blouse Tomato pink full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain maroon blouse

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Tomato pink full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain maroon blouse

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₹ 845
Purple gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped purple blouse Purple gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped purple blouse

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Purple gold zari tissue-style sungudi cotton saree, silver-lined border, silver-lined pallu & matching striped purple blouse

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₹ 1,040
Green and pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse Green and pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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Green and pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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₹ 990
Black plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam motifs, gold zari woven border, zari striped, and zari design contrast blouse Black plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam motifs, gold zari woven border, zari striped, and zari design contrast blouse

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Black plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam motifs, gold zari woven border, zari striped, and zari design contrast blouse

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₹ 960
White kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast pink-blue ganga jamuna rettai pettu traditional zari border, floral motifs pallu, and a contrast elephant motifs blouse White kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast pink-blue ganga jamuna rettai pettu traditional zari border, floral motifs pallu, and a contrast elephant motifs blouse

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White kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast pink-blue ganga jamuna rettai pettu traditional zari border, floral motifs pallu, and a contrast elephant motifs blouse

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₹ 1,040
Borderless half-white and black Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse Borderless half-white and black Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse

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Borderless half-white and black Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse

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₹ 795
White kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast yellow-maroon ganga jamuna rettai pettu traditional zari border, floral motifs pallu, and a contrast elephant motifs blouse White kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast yellow-maroon ganga jamuna rettai pettu traditional zari border, floral motifs pallu, and a contrast elephant motifs blouse

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White kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast yellow-maroon ganga jamuna rettai pettu traditional zari border, floral motifs pallu, and a contrast elephant motifs blouse

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₹ 1,040
Blue checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari peacock motifs border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse Blue checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari peacock motifs border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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Blue checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari peacock motifs border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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₹ 995
Cream gold zari checked and kolam motifs printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast ganga jamuna temple traditional zari border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari checked blouse Cream gold zari checked and kolam motifs printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast ganga jamuna temple traditional zari border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari checked blouse

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Cream gold zari checked and kolam motifs printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast ganga jamuna temple traditional zari border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari checked blouse

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₹ 1,215
Navy blue-blue zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped border, and a contrast blouse Navy blue-blue zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped border, and a contrast blouse

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Navy blue-blue zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped border, and a contrast blouse

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₹ 995
Cream-base stripes & abstract printed sungudi cotton saree, gold zari border, striped pallu & matching striped blouse Cream-base stripes & abstract printed sungudi cotton saree, gold zari border, striped pallu & matching striped blouse

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Cream-base stripes & abstract printed sungudi cotton saree, gold zari border, striped pallu & matching striped blouse

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₹ 795
Navy blue and grey checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse Navy blue and grey checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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Navy blue and grey checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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₹ 990
Navy blue checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse Navy blue checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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Navy blue checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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₹ 995
Black veldhari zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock zari motif border, zari striped pallu, and contrast zari design blouse Black veldhari zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock zari motif border, zari striped pallu, and contrast zari design blouse

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Black veldhari zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock zari motif border, zari striped pallu, and contrast zari design blouse

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₹ 990
Black zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped border, and a contrast blouse Black zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped border, and a contrast blouse

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Black zari checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped border, and a contrast blouse

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₹ 995
Maroon and pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse Maroon and pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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Maroon and pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast silver zari round peacock border, striped pallu, and a contrast checked blouse

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₹ 990
Rani pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock motifs zari border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse Rani pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock motifs zari border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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Rani pink checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast peacock motifs zari border, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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₹ 995
Bottle green checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse Bottle green checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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Bottle green checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border of peacock motifs, zari striped pallu, and a contrast zari design blouse

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₹ 995
Green batik-style printed sungudi cotton saree, batik printed border, and  batik printed pallu Green batik-style printed sungudi cotton saree, batik printed border, and  batik printed pallu

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Green batik-style printed sungudi cotton saree, batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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₹ 1,355
Orange Tamil letters printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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Orange Tamil letters printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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₹ 1,085
Green Tamil letters printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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Green Tamil letters printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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₹ 1,085
Pink triangle printed sungudi cotton saree, self-border and pallu of arrow designs

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Pink triangle printed sungudi cotton saree, self-border and pallu of arrow designs

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₹ 1,015
Blue batik printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral batik border, and batik floral pallu Blue batik printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral batik border, and batik floral pallu

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Blue batik printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral batik border, and batik floral pallu

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₹ 1,405
Maroon batik printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral batik border, and batik floral pallu Maroon batik printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral batik border, and batik floral pallu

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Maroon batik printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral batik border, and batik floral pallu

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₹ 1,405
Blue polka dotted printed sungudi cotton saree, batik paisley border, and pallu

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Blue polka dotted printed sungudi cotton saree, batik paisley border, and pallu

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₹ 1,145
Yellow triangle printed sungudi cotton saree, diamond patterned border, and geometric pallu

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Yellow triangle printed sungudi cotton saree, diamond patterned border, and geometric pallu

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₹ 1,015
Yellow triangle printed sungudi cotton saree, diamond patterned border, and geometric pallu

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Yellow triangle printed sungudi cotton saree, diamond patterned border, and geometric pallu

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₹ 1,015
Grey Tamil letters printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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Grey Tamil letters printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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₹ 1,085
Brown batik printed sungudi cotton saree,  batik printed border, and batik printed pallu Brown batik printed sungudi cotton saree,  batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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Brown batik printed sungudi cotton saree, batik printed border, and batik printed pallu

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₹ 1,355
Blue batik-style floral, and checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral printed border, and paisley batik printed pallu

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Blue batik-style floral, and checked sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral printed border, and paisley batik printed pallu

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₹ 1,190
Crimson veldhari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast temple-manga zari border & zari striped pallu Crimson veldhari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast temple-manga zari border & zari striped pallu

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Crimson veldhari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast temple-manga zari border & zari striped pallu

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₹ 1,260

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