Maitreyi Ramakrishnan gives Tamil handloom a mini dress twist

'Traditional textile, but make it contemporary' – actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan just embraced this in-vogue trend with a Tamil weave.Maitreyi Ramakrishnan turned a traditional silk saree into a mini dress and how (Photo: Getty, rmkv.com)New Delhi,Sep 25, 2026 18:39 ISTMaitreyi Ramakrishnan, the Canadian actor best known for her role in Never Have I Ever, has often spoken about her Tamil roots and the pride she takes in her culture. During the promotion of her latest Netflix film, 'Best of Best', she brought that connection to her fashion game as well.For her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she appeared alongside comedian and co-star Hasan Minhaj, Ramakrishnan wore a custom look by Indian designer Ashwin Thiyagarajan that gave a contemporary spin to a traditional Tamil textile.While the actor is known for making strong fashion statements, this particular look has drawn attention amid the recent controversy surrounding her comments about her Tamil identity and cultural roots. But beyond the conversation around her identity, her fashion choice offered its own statement.The actor wore a dress made from the Palum Pazhamum checkered saree, a popular handloom classic in Tamil households. Traditionally woven in silk, the saree is associated with celebrations and has a distinctive multicoloured checked pattern, known as kattam. Rather than wearing the saree in its conventional drape, the look reworked the textile into a structured, modern silhouette. The result retained the visual identity of the traditional weave while giving it a more contemporary fashion language.Take a look at her dress: The striking mini dress featured a structured corseted bodice, a sweetheart neckline and a voluminous pleated skirt. She kept the beauty look soft and fresh, opting for flushed pink cheeks, glossy lips and her hair styled in loose, soft waves.The Paalum Pazhamum saree also carries a slice of Tamil cinema history. Its name translates to “milk and fruit” in Tamil, and the textile is particularly known for its colourful checks. Many believe its popularity, and the term used for the saree, can be traced back to the 1961 Tamil film Paalum Pazhamum, starring Sivaji Ganesan and B Saroja Devi. While the exact connection between the film and the saree remains something of a pop-culture mystery, the two share the same name, and the film is widely believed to have played a role in popularising the textile.Decades later, the same pattern continues to find its way into contemporary wardrobes, with designers reinterpreting the traditional textile through modern silhouettes and styling.This isn’t Ramakrishnan’s first collaboration with an Indian fashion designer. Last year, she wore a stunning corseted gown by Manish Malhotra for Vogue World: Hollywood runway. She has also previously worn a strapless gown by Ashwin Thiyagarajan, crafted from upcycled Banarasi sarees. (L) Maitreyi Ramakrishnan at Vogue World in Manish Malhotra,(R) at Unforgettable Gala in Ashwin Thiyagarajan (Photo: Getty) What do you think of her Paalum Pazhamum mini dress?- Ends