Fetching Saree Dreams

Delhi is so beautiful during autumn and spring I just have to wear my sarees. My love with sarees is eternal. I am singularly connected to images of my Mother in beautiful cotton, silk and faux chiffon sarees. I can't wear chiffon to save my life! Her interest in Sarees was child - like. She did not necessarily crave for any heirloom piece nor did she looked at the price tags and labels. Yet her instinctive grace made her pick absolute gems. Whichever saree she wore would enhance her personality and people would emulate her style. Yes, you guessed it right, she was simply stylish. Her sophistication was her own and she did not need to borrow it from anyone. I guess that created a lasting impression from childhood. The socially awkward me always wanted to adopt her style but was clueless. Lol!

Maa with my niece in Bengal Taant 

Then there was my Granny or Thamma, a celebrated beauty and a very loving soul. She would indulge us with her beautiful smile and listen to all our silly stories with animated interest. Also speak in her funny English to keep us entertained. As a Bengali the Durga Puja memories are always special and more so for me as I grew up in Gujarat and Delhi and understood the cultural madness very little when I was all of 5.

But one of my first memory of Puja is a morning spent in our ancestral home at North Calcutta, where Thamma would bathe me and put the red alta on my feet while listening to Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s oration. Venerated and celebrated even today by All India Radio – now available on AIR FM channels too – at 4 a.m. in the morning and we still listen albeit later now by virtue of iTunes. 

But that still remains my favourite day of the celebrations and definitely the one of the most cherished memory for the sheer warmth and love of Thamma. I remember her red and white cotton sarees, all with intricate motifs and borders. Although I do not have access to her photos just now but I can share her stylish weave indicator. The softness and the allure of beauty which both made me snuggle up to her now and then. 

That is how it has remained in my mind all these years. Although I have worn many a styles over the years but Sarees have remained an all - time favourite with me. Whenever my spirit needs rejuvenating I turn to Sarees. And they are the best wardrobe variation or wardrobe extension when you are in dire need. The repeat value is tremendously high unlike any other outfit.  My love for this 9 yard wonder is so high that everyone gifts this magical beauty whenever they think of me. I am happy to have become quite synonymous that way. 

Typically the knowledge of Sarees were passed down from Mothers to daughters and has declined over the last 25 years or so as we do not take pride in wearing hand loom as much as we used to in the first 50 years of our independence. People can rattle of names of each brand of product with much ease but sadly they cannot tell the difference from a Kanchipuram to Paithani or Jamdani to Chanderi. As a result the hand loom weavers have lost pride in their work and do not see value in teaching the next generation this stellar craft. If we consciously do not place value in our own history and textile heritage it will soon become a thing for crafts and textile museums.

This road to convenience dressing has made the youngsters unaware of their heritage and craft culture to a great extent. The Chinese power loom machines and spurious low quality silk made way into the Indian Saree market quietly in the early 90s and ever since they have won the battle of market share by being pocket friendly. As knowledge about craftsmanship declined thanks to very little written and shared in main stream media regarding the hand loom sector and lack of patronisation people were happily buying faux Chanderis, Banrasis, Taants, Mangalgiris and Silks. Now that State and Central governments both are taking more interest things are improving slowly.  Some leading brands have seen value and tried to revive Sarees and hand loom craft, they have succeeded in rejuvenating this sector in the last decade. Their contribution is noteworthy. Also many civil society voices have taken the agenda forward on the ground.  As India's Purchasing Power Parity rises people have more to spend enabling a positive growth in high value craft products.  

As my work is also a part of what I believe in strongly and a also a passion, I am fortunate to see the lives of our weavers closely. In all humility I would really like the Sarees to come back to our wardrobes sooner than later.  The single point agenda for Saree lover such as me is to keep it going. To this end I have started a campaign today. Where you just need to click a picture of yours (selfie will do just fine) whenever you wear the next hand loom Saree and use the hash tag #BringBackSarees. For instance look at the pic below:

#BringBackSarees

You could post a picture on Instagram or Facebook or both. Let's contribute in reviving pride for Indian hand loom, for the weavers who have dressed us for centuries even while they had no hope. Let's consider them to be national treasures as Japan does. Ancient cultures such Japan and ours need to remember our roots. History has shown why ancient cultures prevail over everything else, it's because of their resilience and respect for their heritage. Let's really support make in India where it is needed the most.