Charli Chaplin

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot

The Kid (1921)

Many of Chaplin’s admirers regard The Kid as his most perfect and most personal film. Yet it seems to have been born out of a state of acute emotional turmoil in his private life.

In October 1918 Chaplin had compromised himself into a hasty marriage with a 17-year-old actress, Mildred Harris. The couple had little in common, and Chaplin’s personal boredom and frustration resulted in an acute creative block.

He later wrote : ‘I was at my wits’ end for an idea’.
Mildred became pregnant and gave birth to a malformed boy, who died after only three days. Chaplin evidently suffered acute trauma from this loss. But the responses of the creative mind are unpredictable. Only ten days after his own child was buried, Chaplin was auditioning babies at his studio. Suddenly the creative block seemed overcome. He was absorbed and excited by a new plan for a story in which the Little Tramp would become surrogate father to an abandoned child. The film would be called The Waif.

By chance, he visited a music hall where a virtuoso dancer was performing. At the close of his act, the dancer brought on his four-year-old son – a beautiful, sparkling little boy called Jackie Coogan. Chaplin had found his co-star. Jackie was a born mimic, and could perfectly imitate any action or expression Chaplin showed him. This made him the perfect collaborator. Chaplin was the supreme and sole creator of his films. His colleagues all agreed that if he could have done so, he would have played every part in every film himself. Failing this, he looked for actors and actresses who could and would faithfully and unquestioningly copy precisely what he showed them. In Jackie Coogan he found his ideal actor.

His inspiration seemed never to slacken during the shooting, which extended over most of nine months. The only interruption was when Chaplin took a couple of weeks off to knock out a cheerfully uncomplicated comedy, A Day’s Pleasure, to calm his distributors, who were desperate at the slow delivery of new pictures. Chaplin never seemed more dogged in his characteristic quest for perfection than in making The Kid He patiently shot scenes again and again until he was fully satisfied. In the end he had filmed more than fifty times the length of film that appeared in the finished picture. Such a shooting ratio – it was precisely 53 to 1 – was far higher than for any other film he ever made.

The Kid is perhaps Chaplin’s most potent marriage of comedy and high emotion. The story relates how an unmarried mother abandons a baby, which is found and unwillingly adopted by the Tramp. As the child matures to five or six years old, the two form a profitable business partnership: the boy goes round breaking windows, and his friend follows, earning an honest living by mending them again. The Tramp ferociously opposes the efforts of social workers to take the boy into public care, and finally he is reunited with his mother, now a successful opera singer.

The emotional element of the film reaches a peak of poignancy in the scenes where the social workers try to take the boy away to an orphanage. The anguish and ferocity of the Tramp’s fight to keep him are unquestionably inspired by memories of Chaplin’s own childhood heartbreak at being taken from his mother at seven years old and placed in a home for destitute children.

By the time shooting had ended, Chaplin’s now irretrievably estranged wife Mildred had begun a suit for divorce. Terrified that her lawyers would try to seize The Kid Chaplin and his most faithful associates fled California. The film was edited in secret in a hotel in Salt Lake City and an anonymous studio in New York. There were further financial problems with the distributors but when The Kid was finally released in February 1921, it was an instant triumph everywhere it was shown, perhaps the greatest triumph of Chaplin’s career.

Jackie Coogan, at 7, became a world celebrity, honoured by princes, presidents and the Pope himself when he embarked on a European tour. He enjoyed a brief film career as a child actor, but, as Hollywood wits declared, «senility hit him at 13 years old». As a young adult he found himself penniless: his mother and step-father had mismanaged his childhood earnings, and what little money was left was eaten up in legal battles.

The one good outcome was that Jackie’s much publicised problems led to the introduction of a law to give financial protection to child performers: into this day it is known as «The Coogan Act». In later life, Jackie, once the most beautiful child in the world, achieved very different new fame as the nastiest of old men, Uncle Fester in TV series The Addams Family.

All this though was still hidden in the far-off future in 1921, when The Kid gave Chaplin the only true co-star of his career, and brought both Chaplin and the child to an unparalleled peak of world fame and affection.

Text by David Robinson
Copyright 2004 MK2 SA

Blood Groups Types Explained

Blood Groups Types Explained
When your practitioner tells you your "blood type", you are being given two pieces of information - your Blood Group and your Rh Status.
1. Your blood group will be A, B, AB, or O. If you have "A" "B" or "O" blood group, you have antibodies in your blood plasma that destroy some of the other blood groups. If you have group "A" blood, you cannot receive blood that is group "B" and vice versa. If you have "O" blood, your body will create antibodies to fight "A" or "B" blood. If you have group "AB" blood however, your body will not create antibodies for any of the other blood groups.
2. Your Rh status will be listed as negative (-) or positive (+). If you have Rh- blood, your body may form antibodies against Rh+ blood and destroy it. In order for this to happen, you must first be exposed to Rh+ blood (i.e., through a blood transfusion or carrying an Rh+ fetus). This can be a problem if you have antibodies against Rh+ blood and are pregnant with an Rh+ fetus. However, there is medication that can prevent this reaction from occurring if it is given immediately after you are exposed to Rh+ blood.

Blood type Rh How many people have it?
O + 40 %
O - 7 %
A + 34 %
A - 6 %
B + 8 %
B - 1 %
AB + 3 %
AB - 1 %
Does your Blood Type reveal your personality?
According to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types. How do you rate?

Blood Group Type and About Personality
TYPE O You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive.
TYPE A You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.
TYPE B You're a rugged individualist, who's straightforward and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakne ss.
TYPE AB Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.
Blood Typing
The chart of blood groups from whom you can receive the blood is given below.
Recipient Donor

Sachin Tendulkar

Full name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Born April 24, 1973, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra
Current age 36 years 311 days
Major teams India, Asia XI, Mumbai, Mumbai Indians, Yorkshire
Nickname Tendlya, Little Master
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak, Legbreak googly
Height 5 ft 5 in
Education Sharadashram Vidyamandir School
Batting and fielding averages
Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 166 271 29 13447 248* 55.56 47 54 55 104 0
ODIs 442 431 41 17598 200* 45.12 20401 86.26 46 93 1927 185 134 0
T20Is 1 1 0 10 10 10.00 12 83.33 0 0 2 0 1 0
First-class 268 422 45 22336 248* 59.24 74 100 172 0
List A 529 516 55 21150 200* 45.87 57 111 169 0
Twenty20 25 25 3 750 69 34.09 599 125.20 0 5 95 17 14 0

Bowling averages
Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 166 130 3994 2299 44 3/10 3/14 52.25 3.45 90.7 0 0 0
ODIs 442 267 8020 6817 154 5/32 5/32 44.26 5.10 52.0 4 2 0
T20Is 1 1 15 12 1 1/12 1/12 12.00 4.80 15.0 0 0 0
First-class 268 7359 4191 69 3/10 60.73 3.41 106.6 0 0
List A 529 10196 8445 201 5/32 5/32 42.01 4.96 50.7 4 2 0
Twenty20 25 8 93 123 2 1/12 1/12 61.50 7.93 46.5 0 0 0

Test debut Pakistan v India at Karachi, Nov 15-20, 1989
ODI debut Pakistan v India at Gujranwala, Dec 18, 1989
Profile
Sachin Tendulkar has been the most complete batsman of his time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon as well. His batting is based on the purest principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and that intangible quality given only to geniuses, anticipation. If he doesn't have a signature stroke - the upright, back-foot punch comes close - it is because he is equally proficient in each of the full range of orthodox shots (and plenty of improvised ones as well) and can pull them out at will.
There are no apparent weaknesses in Tendulkar's game. He can score all around the wicket, off both front foot and back, can tune his technique to suit every condition, temper his game to suit every situation, and has made runs in all parts of the world in all conditions.
Some of his finest performances have come against Australia, the overwhelmingly dominant team of his era. His century as a 19-year old on a lightning fast pitch at the WACA is considered one of the best innings ever to have been played in Australia. A few years later he received the ultimate compliment from the ultimate batsman when Don Bradman confided to his wife that Tendulkar reminded him of himself.
Blessed with the keenest of cricket minds, and armed with a loathing for losing, Tendulkar set about doing what it took to become one of the best batsmen in the world. Tendulkar's greatness was established early: he was only 16 when he made his Test debut. He was hit on the mouth by Waqar Younis but continued to bat, in a blood-soaked shirt. His first Test hundred, a match-saving one at Old Trafford, came when he was 17, and he had 16 Test hundreds before he turned 25. In 2000 he became the first batsman to have scored 50 international hundreds, in 2008 he passed Brian Lara as the leading Test run-scorer and in the following years, he crossed 13,000 runs and 30,000 international runs.
He currently holds the record for most hundreds in both Tests and ODIs - remarkable, considering he didn't score his first ODI hundred till his 79th match. Incredibly, he retains a divine enthusiasm for the game, and he seems to be untouched by age: at 36 years and 306 days he broke a 40-year barrier by scoring the first double-century in one-day cricket. It now seems inevitable that he will become the first cricketer to score 100 international hundreds, which like Bradman's batting average, could last for ever.
Tendulkar's considerable achievements seem greater still when looked at in the light of the burden of expectations he has had to bear from his adoring but somewhat unreasonable followers, who have been prone to regard anything less than a hundred as a failure. The aura may have dimmed, if only slightly, as the years on the international circuit have taken their toll on the body, but Tendulkar remains, by a distance, the most worshipped cricketer in the world.
Best Performances
• 119 not out v England, Old Trafford, 1990
• England pile up 519 on a benign pitch, and India reply with 432. England stretch the lead to 407, and though the pitch is still good and the bowling (Malcolm, Fraser, Lewis, Hemmings) not terribly menacing, India find themselves in deep water at 127 for 5 with only one recognised batsman left. And he's only 17 years old. Tendulkar battles for nearly four hours, grimly but never dourly, and ends the day with 119. India lose only one more wicket, ending up with 343. With one more session, they might even have won.
• 114 v Australia, Perth, 1991-92
• The fastest pitch in Australia has been reserved for the last Test. India have been beaten already, only humiliation awaits. Batting first, Australia score 346. Tendulkar enters at a relatively comfortable 100 for 3, but watches the next five wickets go down for 59. Tendulkar is the next man out... at 240. He has scored 118 of the 140 runs added while he is at the crease, and has made them in such an awe-inspiring manner that commentators are asking themselves when they last saw an innings as good.
• 169 v South Africa, Cape Town, 1996-97
• Batting first, South Africa make a matchwinning 529. Playing only for honour, India find themselves groveling before Donald, Pollock, McMillan and Klusener. Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin get together at 58 for 5, and start spanking the bowling as if they were playing a club game in the park. They add 222 for the sixth wicket in less than two sessions, and Tendulkar has 26 boundaries in his score of 169. Even Donald says that he felt like clapping.
• 155 not out v Australia, Chennai, 1997-98
• Seventy-one runs in arrears, India start the second innings and despite Navjot Singh Sidhu's 64 find themselves only 44 in front when Tendulkar joins Rahul Dravid. The duo has to contend with Shane Warne bowling from round the wicket and into the rough. Tendulkar, who has practised against Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and a few other bowlers on artificially created rough patch before this series, decides to take apart Warne. In a breathtaking assault, with the match hanging in balance, he deploys his unique slog sweeps against the spin to steer India past Australia and snatch a matchwinning 347-run lead.
• Twin centuries v Australia, Sharjah, 1997-98
• India are chasing Australia's 284, but more importantly they need to score 254 to beat New Zealand on net run-rate, and make their way to the final. Single-handedly, Tendulkar takes India close to the cut-off when sandstorms disrupt the play. Just when making it to the final looks difficult, Tendulkar not only takes them beyond that target, but for a brief while even flirts with a win.
• Twin centuries v Australia, Sharjah, 1997-98
• It surely couldn't have got better. It does. Two days later, at the same venue, chasing a similar 273 to win the final, Tendulkar decimates the Australian attack. By the time he is out in the 45th over, he has left India only 25 more to get. Shane Warne is so devastated he confesses Tendulkar hits him for sixes in his nightmares.
• 136 v Pakistan, Chennai, 1998-99
• Few Indian batting performances have been as heroic, or as tragic. Chasing 271 in the fourth innings of a low-scoring match, India experience a familiar top-order collapse, and are sinking fast at 82 for 5. Tendulkar finds an able ally in Nayan Mongia, and rebuilds the innings in a painstaking, un-Tendulkarlike manner. After helping add 136 for the sixth wicket, Mongia departs to an ungainly pull, and Tendulkar's back is also giving way. Tendulkar shifts up a gear or two, and starts dealing only in boundaries. But one error of judgment and it's all over. Saqlain Mushtaq defeats his intended lofted on-drive with a magical ball that drifts the other way, catches the outer part of Tendulkar's bat and balloons up to mid-off. The tail disgrace themselves, and India fall short by a gut-wrenching 13 runs.
• 233 not out v Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, 1999-2000
• It's a Ranji semi-final against a strong Tamil Nadu, and Mumbai are looking down the barrel after their bowlers have given away 485 runs. First-innings lead is crucial in this contest, but Mumbai look down for the count at 127 for 4. This is when old pal Vinod Kambli joins Tendulkar, and they see Mumbai out of trouble. But they are not anywhere near home when Kambli falls with the score at 266. Tendulkar then takes charge, and with the lower order, sees Mumbai just past Tamil Nadu's total and into a final Mumbai would win. This is just the kind of against-the-odds matchwinning knock that has eluded him at international level. Perhaps that's why he later says, "This is one of my best innings. This includes one-day internationals and Test cricket also."
• 155 v South Africa, Bloemfontein, 2001-02
• On the first day on an overseas series, India's plight is a familiar one - four down for 68, with all the wickets going just the way the South Africans expected - to rising balls. Tendulkar has a debutant for company, with another to follow. He takes 17 balls to score his first run, but 101 come off the next 97 deliveries. It isn't the prettiest of Tendulkar's Test tons, but it is one of the most savage, characterised by pulls and vicious upper-cuts. The South Africans have a plan for India, and Tendulkar makes a mockery of it. By the time Tendulkar's innings ends, India are reasonably well placed, though they go on to lose the Test.
• 98 v Pakistan, Centurion, 2003
• Tendulkar has been compelled to live this World Cup match against Pakistan for a year in advance. He has not slept properly for 12 nights going into the match. A target of 274 set for India, bat in hand, Tendulkar shows no anxiety whatsoever. Or is it that nervous energy? He just finishes his hyped battle against Shoaib Akhtar in the latter's first over with an uppercut for six, and then a flick and a straight block for two boundaries. Every bowler is dealt with similar disdain. He has not looked more pumped up before. And although he misses a special century, he leaves the match sealed in the 28th over.
• 117 not out v Australia, Sydney, 2007-08
• Going into the first final of the CB Series, Tendulkar has not achieved many things: an ODI century in Australia, a century in 37 innings, a chase-winning century since 2001, a century in any chase since March 2004. In a 235-minute masterclass, he washes it all away, scoring 117 off 120 balls and leading India to the 240-run target on a difficult wicket just about solo. He dominates in the initial overs, shepherds the tentative middle order, and stays unbeaten to see the side home.
• 37 and 103 not out v England, Chennai, 2008-09
• Tendulkar has to his name every batting record worth having, except one perhaps: a fourth-innings century in an Indian win. Having struggled against the spin of Swann and Panesar in the first innings of the Chennai Test, India are left to chase 387 on a deteriorating pitch. The explosive start, which puts England off track, is provided by Virender Sehwag, the final touches by Yuvraj Singh, but in the middle Tendulkar nurtures the chase, hardly ever looking under pressure, scampering through for singles like a teenager, breaking shackles every now and then with odd boundaries. The final one of those boundaries finishes the chase, and also brings up that elusive century. Works a treat that it comes at the same venue that was the scene of a supreme heartbreak nine years ago against Pakistan, and weeks after India faced one of its worst terror attacks. With Tendulkar, India smiles again.
• 175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 2009-10
• Australia have amassed a massive 350 on a flat pitch in Hyderabad, and Tendulkar almost chases it, single-handedly, with no support to speak of. Displays through the innings how he has mastered the art of scoring quick runs without taking any risks. The only support comes from Virender Sehwag (38) and Suresh Raina (59), but they both look like getting out any time. Tendulkar, who scores 175 off 141 balls, gives hardly a chance through the classic. When he does take risk, it's worth preserving those shots in an album: the stepping out to spinners and lofts straight down the ground, and the unbelievably late flicks, even later late cuts. It all ends in heartbreak, though: in Chennai in 1998-99, Tendulkar, having played an innings as incredible as this, left the last three wickets 17 to get; on this night he leaves them 19 off 17. The rest choke like they did in Chennai.
• 200* v South Africa, Gwalior, 2009-10
It took nearly 40 years of waiting, but the accolade fittingly went to the best ODI batsman in history. Tendulkar overcame cramps, heat and humidity to play his most breathtaking innings to send the cricket world into frenzy. On a road of a pitch in Gwalior, Tendulkar began his innings with crisply timed shots past the packed infield, which didn't succeed in choking his scoring. His placement was impeccable and not once did he drop anchor. Yusuf Pathan, MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik frolicked as well, but they were mere bystanders as Tendulkar continued with his act of savagery. He fetched 100 runs off fours alone and also ran swiftly between the wickets. He went past his personal best of 186, and broke Anwar and Coventry's record with a glance to fine leg. A squirt to backward point got him to 200 and he scored almost exactly half of India's total.

Men’s Fashion – Budget Friendly Tips

Last two years have been financially tough for people all across the world. Salary cuts, money constrains and lack of new opportunities has affected not only general public but also large companies. Fashion world is no exception. Fashion shows took a backseat and new launches were put on hold. This also meant that people were unwilling to splurge unnecessarily on fashion garments. Plans of acquiring a new wardrobe were put on backburner and spending on clothes was found to be minimal. In the light of such condition, it pays to be more selecting in shopping and also look for best bargain deals. Achieving the best look is not only conditional to expensive clothes. One can also manage to impress everyone with his dressing sense by wearing right and less expensive garments. Yes, we are referring to men’s fashion.

One clothing item found in every man’s wardrobe is jeans. Available in all price tags and designs, men have to have it. But thing to remember here is, you need not splurge huge sum of money for a acquiring a pair of jeans. Even low priced jeans can look equally good on you provided it has the right fit. Just make sure that jeans worn by you should flatter your body shape and should make you feel comfortable.

Shoes should always be of top quality and men are willing to spend a fortune on it. But like jeans shoes are made available by several low priced brands as well that look equally good. So try to find shoes within your budget and see if they enhance your looks. While looking for new clothes, try going for neutral colors like blue or white so that you wear them all year round. That will save you from hunting for new clothes every season.

One can also opt for reversible pieces like sweaters, jackets or tees. Festivals offer you great chances of shopping because of several sales events. You get your desired clothes real cheap and that too of good quality. Give importance to your accessories as well like watches or cufflinks.

Mysore Dasara

Mysore Dasara is the Nadahabba (state-festival) of the state of Karnataka. It is also called as Navaratri (Nava-ratri = nine-nights) and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October. According to a legend, Vijayadashami denotes the victory of truth over evil and was the day when the Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura is the demon from whose name; the name Mysore has been derived. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival and the festivities here are an elaborate affair and attract a large audience including foreigners.
Festivities
The Dasara festivities were first started by the Vijayanagar Kings in 15th Century, after the fall of Vijayanagar Kingdom, The Wodeyar's of Mysore continued the Dasara Festival by, Raja Wodeyar I (1578-1617 CE) in the year 1610 at Srirangapatna. The Mysore Palace is lit up on all the 10 days of Dasara. The festivities begin with the Wodeyar royal couple performing a special puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the Chamundi Temple located on the top of Chamundi Hill at Mysore. This would be followed by a special durbar (royal assembly). It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, when the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara; which was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and the masses. This tradition has been continued even now with the current scion of the Wodeyar family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar holding a private durbar during Dasara. The ninth day of Dasara called as Mahanavami is also an auspicious day on which the royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession involving elephants, camels and horses[2].

Procession

On Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara procession (locally known as Jumboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore city. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a golden mantapa on the top of a decorated elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata, banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their arms during their one-year period of Agnatavasa (living life incognito). Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in the war. The Dasara festivities would culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with an event held in the grounds at Bannimantap called as Panjina Kavayatthu (torch-light parade).

Exhibition

Another major attraction during Dasara is the Dasara exhibition which is held in the exhibition grounds opposite to the Mysore Palace. This exhibition starts during Dasara and goes on till December. Various stalls which sell items like clothes, plastic items, kitchenware, cosmetics and eatables are set up and they attract a significant number of people. A play area containing attractions like Ferris wheel is also present to provide entertainment to the people. Various Governmental agencies setup stalls to signify the achievements and projects that they have undertaken.
Other Programmes

On all the 10 days of Dasara, various music and dance concerts are held in auditoriums around Mysore city. Musicians and dance groups from all over India are invited to perform on this occasion. Another attraction during Dasara is the Kusti Spardhe (wrestling-bout) which attracts wrestlers from all around India.

Indian Sari

Every region of India has developed its own unique sari style, which differs in terms of fabric and weaving style. The reservoir of sari is simply superb encompassing embroided sari, classy silk sarees and special bridal wedding sari. The exclusive range of Indian Sari includes:
Bandhani - a classic style of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is a handwork, which involves tying and dying of cloth. The sari is tied and died in such a manner that it produces elaborate patterns and designs on the fabric. Rajasthan is a city of beauty and variety.

Kota Doria - it is a traditional style of Rajasthan. They are the creations of small villages of Kota City. This style uses a combination of threads to create fine designs where cotton lends firmness and silk gives airy soft feel.

Banarsi - it is the invention of Banaras City. It is popular among women and is widely appreciated an as exclusive silk sari. Its designs exhibit Mughal patterns. Banarasi sari in itself contains diverse styles like pure silk (katan), organza with zari work, georgette and shattir.

Kanjeevaram silk saree - it is one of the most finest and most popular forms of silk in Tamilnadu. It uses a combination of colored threads and also has lot of zari work. Its major attractions are the beautiful tribal designs. Now focus is also on contemporary patterns. It has a heavy gauge and is a long lasting style.

Orissa Ikat silk sarees - Ikat is a term that means "tied" and as the name suggests, this style uses tie and die process to produce exquisite patterns. It has a heavy gauge with a fine metallic touch. It includes wide temple style borders.

Chanderi sarees - it is a product of Madhya Pradesh. It is an extremely light cloth. Its exclusiveness lies in its simplicity, airy feel, narrow borders and decently designed anchals with buttis.

Paithani sarees - Paithani sarees of Maharashtra, the hub of fashion and style, are hand-woven. They are simple in look with delicate square designed borders and pallus with a peacock design. Kaleidoscope designs are equally popular.

Cotton printed sarees - the sheer varieties available in cotton sarees are just fabulous. It includes batik work, bandhni style, block printing and hand made drawings. These are printed in large metropolitan cities like Bombay and Calcutta.

Cotton handlooms - cotton handlooms provide us with distinctive varieties primarily - Tant, Jamdani and Baluchari Bengal Handloom sarees. These styles are known for their lightness which are a great comfort . its borders exhibit works of delicate silk threadworks. Designs are simple but artistic and unique. Peacocks, floral designs, architectural drawings are major attractions of these handlooms.

Southern saree styles - southern weaves include Pochampalli, Venkatgiri, Gadwal, Guntur, Mangalpuri sarees of Andhra Pradesh, Coimbatore and Chettinad styles of Tamilnadu, Mysore silk of Karnataka. Mysore silk is one of the most popular and finest and purest forms of silk. It is undergoing a makeover with new kasuti embroidery, bandhini designs and with a palette of exciting vibrant colors