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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Pink lotus design printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu zari border, geometric pallu & running blouse Pink lotus design printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu zari border, geometric pallu & running blouse

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Pink lotus design printed sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu zari border, geometric pallu & running blouse

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

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

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

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

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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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Sale price₹ 750
Pink zari checked & floral printed sungudi cotton saree, piping zari border,self-pallu & matching blouse of zari & floral print work Pink zari checked & floral printed sungudi cotton saree, piping zari border,self-pallu & matching blouse of zari & floral print work

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

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Sale price₹ 990
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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Sale price₹ 750
Cream plain body sungudi cotton saree, temple border of gold zari, floral & bird designs, zari striped pallu & contrast zari jacquard brown blouse Cream plain body sungudi cotton saree, temple border of gold zari, floral & bird designs, zari striped pallu & contrast zari jacquard brown blouse

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Cream plain body sungudi cotton saree, temple border of gold zari, floral & bird designs, zari striped pallu & contrast zari jacquard brown blouse

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Sale price₹ 1,160
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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Sale price₹ 845
Navy blue zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse Navy blue zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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

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Sale price₹ 995
Ramar blue zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse Ramar blue zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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

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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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Sale price₹ 990
Navy blue kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu rudraksham motif border, striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse Navy blue kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu rudraksham motif border, striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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Navy blue kolam motifs printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu rudraksham motif border, striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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Sale price₹ 880
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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Sale price₹ 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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Sale price₹ 845
Light blue full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain dark blue blouse Light blue full-plain sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari round motif big border, lining seer pallu & plain dark blue blouse

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

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Sale price₹ 845
Mustard batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse Mustard batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse

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Mustard batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse

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Sale price₹ 1,065
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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Sale price₹ 1,075
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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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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Black zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse Black zari checked Sungudi cotton saree, zari annam motifs woven border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari checked blouse

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

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Sale price₹ 995
White zari veldhari striped sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam chakram border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari design blouse White zari veldhari striped sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam chakram border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari design blouse

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White zari veldhari striped sungudi cotton saree, contrast annam chakram border, zari striped pallu & contrast zari design blouse

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Sale price₹ 1,120
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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Sale price₹ 1,040
White-rama green Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse White-rama green Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse

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White-rama green Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse

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Sale price₹ 880
White-purple Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse White-purple Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rudraksham rettai pettu zari border, striped pallu & contrast veldhari striped blouse

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

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Sale price₹ 880
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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Sale price₹ 845
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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Sale price₹ 880
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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Sale price₹ 1,240
Blue batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse Blue batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse

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Blue batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse

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Sale price₹ 1,065
Borderless pink veldhari zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, self-pallu of veldhari stripes & running blouse Borderless pink veldhari zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, self-pallu of veldhari stripes & running blouse

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Borderless pink veldhari zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, self-pallu of veldhari stripes & running blouse

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Sale price₹ 750
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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Sale price₹ 995
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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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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Sale price₹ 795
Navy blue batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse Navy blue batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse

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Navy blue batik-printed sungudi cotton saree, mango zari small border, batik-printed pallu & running blouse

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Sale price₹ 1,065
Borderless black Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse Borderless black Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse

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

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Sale price₹ 795
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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Sale price₹ 795
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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Sale price₹ 795
Borderless half-white and red Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse Borderless half-white and red Tamil letters printed Sungudi cotton saree with contrast Tamil letters printed blouse

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

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Sale price₹ 795
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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Sale price₹ 1,260
Pink floral vine printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari border & zari striped pallu

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Pink floral vine printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari border & zari striped pallu

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Sale price₹ 935
Orange paisleys printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari border & zari striped pallu

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Orange paisleys printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast traditional zari border & zari striped pallu

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Sale price₹ 935
Pink paisleys printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border & zari striped pallu

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Pink paisleys printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border & zari striped pallu

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Pink peacock butta printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast paisley zari border & zari striped pallu

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Pink peacock butta printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast paisley zari border & zari striped pallu

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Sale price₹ 935
Sandal buttas Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border & zari striped pallu

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Sandal buttas Sungudi cotton saree, contrast zari border & zari striped pallu

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Hot pink zari buttas enclosed checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral-paisley zari border & intricate pallu Hot pink zari buttas enclosed checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral-paisley zari border & intricate pallu

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Hot pink zari buttas enclosed checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral-paisley zari border & intricate pallu

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Sale price₹ 2,430
Blue zari buttas enclosed checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral-paisley zari border & intricate pallu Blue zari buttas enclosed checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral-paisley zari border & intricate pallu

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Blue zari buttas enclosed checked Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral-paisley zari border & intricate pallu

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Grey zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu traditional zari border & zari striped pallu Grey zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu traditional zari border & zari striped pallu

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Grey zari striped Sungudi cotton saree, contrast rettai pettu traditional zari border & zari striped pallu

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Sale price₹ 1,260
Yellow zari buttas Sungudi cotton saree, contrast leaf motifs zari border & zari striped pallu Yellow zari buttas Sungudi cotton saree, contrast leaf motifs zari border & zari striped pallu

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Yellow zari buttas Sungudi cotton saree, contrast leaf motifs zari border & zari striped pallu

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Sale price₹ 1,405
Blue four-petal floral printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral creeper zari border & striped pallu

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Blue four-petal floral printed Sungudi cotton saree, contrast floral creeper zari border & striped pallu

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Sale price₹ 1,025

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