Aditi Rao Hydari revives Wanaparthy saree legacy
HYDERABAD: Bollywood actor Aditi Rao Hydari, who belongs to the royal family of Wanaparthy in Telangana, has celebrated the revival of the traditional Wanaparthy saree — a weave that carries both cultural depth and personal heritage.
A royal legacy woven in Telangana
The actor shared a heartfelt post on social media about an exhibition dedicated to the Wanaparthy saree, writing: “The revival of the Wanaparthy saree! A saree that has multicultural roots, much like me.”
She recalled how her grandfather, Raja J Rameshwar Rao, had worked to revive the weave in his youth. “He encouraged the weavers and ordered for the family from them. He even sent them old designs to re-learn and recreate,” she wrote.
Tracing roots through art and fashion
Aditi noted that her ancestors, the art-loving rulers of Wanaparthy, had brought Pathani weavers to settle in their kingdom, blending styles that evolved into the Wanaparthy weave.
“I remember one specific saree that my grandmother, mother and her sisters have — inspired by a famous Raja Ravi Varma painting, the black asharfi saree. I realise now that it inspired me too, and it all came back when designer Sabyasachi was creating the half-saree for Siddharth and my wedding at the Wanaparthy temple,” she said.
‘Proud to bring this story to you all’
She added, “There is so much to write, and family histories are so interesting; I’ll have to ask my Amma for more! For now, I’ll leave you with this exhibition. I hope the weavers of Wanaparthy reclaim their rich legacy.”
In her post, Aditi also detailed the images she shared — from the exhibition and the Ravi Varma painting to her wedding attire designed by Sabyasachi.
