Aditi Rao Hydari just made the Wanaparthy saree every woman’s new royal obsession!

Aditi Rao Hydari’s wedding aesthetic was not just about fashion or couture; it was a genuine tribute to her heritage. Her ivory-hued flared saree-lehenga was not just another drape, but it was her family’s legacy and pride of Indian craftsmanship. For the uninitiated, Aditi Rao Hydari’s maternal grandfather, J. Rameshwar Rao, was known as the raja of Wanaparthy and a primary nobleman to the royal court of the Nizam in Hyderabad.

The actress recently took to her social media account and shared a personal post on the revival of the Wanaparthy saree weaves. It holds a familial legacy that was handed down to her, and next, she shared a series of pictures from an exhibition dedicated to her drapery. The actor donned the Wanaparthy-inspired saree from the customised collection of ace designer Sabyasachi’s atelier for her wedding last year.

She penned down a heartfelt tribute documenting her love and connection to this piece of fashion and wrote, “The revival of the Wanaparthy saree! A saree that has multicultural roots, much like me!” She captioned it and said, “My grandfather, Raja J Rameshwar Rao, worked towards this revival as a young man. He encouraged the weavers and ordered for the family from them. Had old designs sent to them to relearn and recreate. His ancestors, the art-loving rulers of Wanaparthy, had brought Paithani weavers to settle in their kingdom, and the saree and weaving then adapted to the region as it evolved.”



She further stated, “I remember one specific saree that my grandmother, her mother, and her sisters have, inspired by a famous Ravi Varma painting, the black asharfi saree. And now I realise that I was inspired by that saree too. Firmly locked and sealed in my subconscious mind, and it all emerged when the genius Sabyasachi was creating the half saree for Siddharth's and my wedding at the Wanaparthy temple!”

What makes Wanaparthy sarees so iconic?

The Wanaparthy saree is a significant representation of cultural heritage in the region of Amarchinta village in Telangana’s Wanaparthy district. This traditional saree weaving technique dates back several centuries and is linked to the economic and cultural history of the state and Wanaparthy Sansthan, which came under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad.



Known for their intricate fine yarns, vibrant hues, and temple-inspired borders, which are known as ‘Kotakomma’, the art includes combining artistic motifs with contemporary appeal, which makes them unique and distinctive.




Aditi Rao Hydari, who descends from the royal family of Wanaparthy in Telangana, has long embraced her heritage. But this week, she deeply celebrated this personal chapter and encouraged her fans to revive the charm of the Wanaparthy weave, which is not just a family legacy but the identity of the region and state.

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here