Indian-themed events are set to spice up the Top of the South this September.
A two-hour interactive cultural experience celebrating the nation’s resplendent traditional garment is among the highlights of what has been dubbed the region's biggest Indian events year to date.
Saree Stories will be held at the Nelson Provincial Museum on Saturday, 5 September, alongside the museum's saree exhibition, which runs until November 15.
Attendance is limited to 30 people due to space constraints.
Participants can touch and explore different sarees up close, watch a live draping demonstration, ask questions, and discover the craftsmanship and stories behind the garments.
Sarees are steeped in Indian tradition and Experience India founder Anjali Puri, who owns around 50 of them herself, says even non-Indians are becoming part of these event’s fabric.
Demonstrated at the previous three Saree Stories, the most recent at Tuku 26 earlier this year.
"Tuku was very successful because so many great questions were asked," she says.
"And when we offered people the chance to try the sarees on, 99 per cent of the audience was keen to give it a go."
Anjali says feedback from attendees has consistently highlighted their appreciation of the garments' intricate detail.
"I got feedback when someone took a photograph of a saree and showed it to her husband. He was an ex-surgeon, and he said the craftsmanship he could see in the fabric was better than doing something as a surgeon."
"We always get good feedback, and people are interested in knowing when we're doing Saree Stories next so they can tell their friends and wider family and come along to enjoy it too."
Experience India will also host Art of Chai at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre on September 19, a free event celebrating the culture, creativity and connection that come together around a cup of chai.
The organisation's popular Indian Food Festival will follow at the Saxton Oval Pavilion on September 27.
Saree Stories runs from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and costs $5 to attend.
Visit Experience India's Facebook page here for registration details and more information about Art of Chai and the Indian Food Festival.
