Tag: Saree Story

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31 Days in a saree – Soumya Ravi’s Saree Story

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This was a challenge many, many years in the making. I first thought of doing it, when I read A Saree for a Month for Newsweek by Shoba Narayan. I loved the idea, and since then, it remained in my mind as something I would do one day.
What’s the big deal for an Indian-born and raised, 50-year-old woman to wear a saree for a month? It’s not a big deal for most women of my age, especially if they were raised in India, just as I was. Even today, I have cousins, both older and younger, who wear a saree and feel no constraint, and are completely at ease with it. But for me, it was a challenge.

soumya-saree-story-Sareeing
I have always loved sarees. Loved their vibrant colors, their stylish drapes, and the way the cloth felt. Talk to me of elegant women, and I immediately think of a saree-clad woman. My mother, aunts, and cousins all drape it well and look so refined and put together in a saree. However, my love for sarees lasted only till I left the shop with it; wearing one was never my choice. I didn’t know how to drape a saree well, and I was never comfortable in one — and it showed. While I love the pottu, I dislike the other jewelry accessories that go with a saree. I wore sarees as infrequently as I could, and eventually, I got worse at draping, worse at walking in it. Even with pins, the sarees unspooled. And driving — “Why did I get married if I have to drive even while wearing a saree?” Part of the problem was that I did not have the kind of sarees I could be comfortable in for many hours. Mine were either super heavy Kanjeevarams, or super soft ones that spooled all over if I moved just so. I got so used to comfort wear — my faithful sweats or a pair of jeans — and left my sarees hanging in my closet like prized pieces of art. There was always the guilt, though, and then the inevitable what are my girls learning from me about the saree and, by extension, about India and Indian clothing?



soumya-saree-story-Sareeing
Well, I did find out what the girls thought of it. We were talking about clothes, colors etc. and my daughter said (I paraphrase) “Sarees are not comfortable and are for old people — young people would never be able to wear it.” When I reminded her that her grandmothers lived in a saree day and night and did everything, far more than we did, she said, “Exactly. Old people can be comfortable in it. You wouldn’t be able to wear it all day and be comfortable,” Challenge accepted.
I would spend 31 days (1 month) in a saree. All-day, every day. I did give myself some outs:
It was winter in California, I would wear the saree with sweaters. No Jewelry. I would wear the saree from my morning shower till my night shower — typically after my cup of tea in the morning, until I was ready to go to bed.
I gave myself three sick days, days when I could not wear the saree for health reasons. If used, I would make them up at the end and keep the challenge. I used one.

soumya-saree-story-Sareeing
If I could do it in sweats, I would do it in a saree, but if I could not do it anyway, then it’s not on the ‘saree’.
So how was my journey? In two words, very comfortable.
Once I decided to do it, a switch went off. This is what I had to do, so I was going to do it and be comfortable.
I give huge merit points to the sweaters. Without the uncomfortable blouses or the constraining jewels, it was me in a saree and not a foreign being. It was night and day in comfort compared to all my previous experiences.
What did I do or could not do? I did everything I would normally do, and then some. I increased my physical activities dramatically. Things that needed me to move more. I upped my dance aerobics by three times what I used to do. I did more hikes, more walks. The household chores, the work — all of it.

soumya-saree-story-Sareeing
One thing I wish I had done more of — I did not go on video calls as much. I did go on some, but not too many. There was the professional side of me that did not want to use up meeting time to explain my challenge and attire to non-Indian colleagues. In all fairness, even before, I never did video calls. So no one thought any different when I didn’t switch the video on. I do not think what I wear has any bearing on what I do or how I work or how I think…but that is a different challenge I guess 🙂
Did I see many questioning glances? But of course — you can’t go hiking, shoe shopping or walk in the rain in a vibrant saree and expect no one to notice. There were many eyes on me, but they didn’t make me or the folks with me uncomfortable.
Would I do this again? In a heartbeat. But I would not call it a challenge!



soumya-saree-story-Sareeing
So, the changes that came in because of this: I can now drape a saree well. I still do not look as great in a saree as I have seen others look, but I do not look sloppy or uncomfortable either. My biggest win is that I do not use pins at all. Not a single one. Not even when I do aerobics or hiking. That is a huge win, as I have never seen my mom use pins either and it always bothered me that I needed them. Well, not anymore.
The other big win: thanks to my large-hearted friend Shama, who loaned (and now says she gifted) me 10+ sarees for the challenge, I now know the sarees that I am comfortable in. Things I like, can drape, and can live in. I also have a closet full of them. 

soumya-saree-story-Sareeing
Today is day 31. Am I going to miss wearing a saree…well, no, not really, but I liked it while it lasted. Loved dressing up every morning, the whole process from what will I wear to finding sweaters that match, the daily photos, etc. I have happy thoughts associated with a saree. But I can’t wait for sunrise tomorrow and to don my well-worn sweats and t-shirt as I get ready for another workday.
What is the one thing I hope you get out of it? Exactly the lesson that my kids got and acknowledged on day 10 of my challenge — sarees are the perfect combination of elegance and comfort. You can do anything in them and do it more elegantly than you would in any other attire. If I can do it, anyone can. Wear it with grace….. for 31 days.

Soumya Ravi

Originally appeared on:  https://soumyapr.medium.com/31-days-in-a-saree-47bf8df9c4c4



A Saree painted with Love

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Nothing says “I love” to anyone, for any occasion, like a handmade gift. Especially if you have the skills to make it great.

Here is a Beautiful Hand painted Saree for her Mom by Kunjan Mawar .

The saree material is Kosa silk.
Painting style : Madhubani Art.
Jewelry: one gram gold Bahubali earrings and necklace set with premium AD stones. It has elephants. Multi color bangles.




साड़ी क्यों नहीं पहनती तुम?

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साड़ी क्यों नहीं पहनती तुम?
पहना करो, अच्छी लगती हो….
सूखे पत्तों के बीच,
गुलाब की पंखुड़ी लगती हो..
शायद तुम्हें पता नहीं
नजरें बहुत सी तुम पर रहती हैं..
लेकिन उत्सवों में तुम,
आंखों का नूर बन उभरती हो..
देखने को नज़ारे और भी हैं
दिल बहलाने के लिए फसाने और भी हैं..
मगर तुम्हारे शबाब़ जैसा
आफ़रीन पूरे कयानात में नहीं…
साड़ी के पल्लू को संभालती
मेरे ख्वाबों की बेचैनी लगती हो..
साड़ी क्यों नहीं पहनती तुम?
पहना करो, अच्छी लगती हो….




Sarees – Yeh dil maange more | Madhu Sakam

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My love saga for ethnic saree wear started in AP south India and continues here in the US. I feel nothing makes a Desi woman more beautiful than carrying a saree in a dignified and elegant manner. As I received a lot of compliments if I adorn in saree compared to any other western wear. Though I may sound a little biased with my obsession with saree, I truly feel that south Asian facial lady features can magnify well in ethnic saree wear. Last year when I participated in a beauty contest I proudly wore a multi-color saree embellished with small sequins. Accessorized my saree with a metallic belt across my waist while doing a fashion ramp walk as part of the contest’s selection round.

I am proud to say I am a shopaholic :), as I like pampering myself with stuff I adore. Especially during Covid’s gloomy lockdown phase-I couldn’t travel to India for a few years. My mother and sister tried to ship a few sarees for me in between, still, I was passionate to browse online to buy more sarees to treat myself. No matter what people may judge reading this, personally, this is something that always makes me happy. After all, it’s a form of self-love that’s cheerful. A typical Asian women’s mentality is to please her family by stretching her runtime schedule around the clock. In this whole marathon run, they forget to please themselves within their financial liberties. I strongly advocate that every woman dedicate some time to self-love, whether it can be learning a new hobby or little shopping that we can afford, we shouldn’t hesitate in treating ourselves with small pleasantries.

Coming to my personal choices in picking saree I have few preferences to categorize. Anything in bright color shades or pastel palette colors attracts me first, secondary aspect if it’s of any beautiful embellished embroidery or mirror work then it will definitely steal all my attention.

Of course, in recent years I learned better sense in picking the right fabrics and became wise in choosing the right colors that I can explore or opt for. I also gift sarees to my friends and relatives on special occasions. Gifts hand picking is something I cherish, it’s even more gratifying if they wear my gifted saree and send me back those pictures. I cherish and save them as memories for a lifetime. I am heading to India in a few days after four years of long gap. I am excited to shop for the latest trendy sarees in person, Kyunki yeh dil maange more 🙂

Madhu Sakam
Mrs South Asia world Elite beauty contest runner up




याद है क्या तुम्हें तुम्हारी वो नीली साड़ी | Saree Poetry – Mahi Kumar

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याद है क्या तुम्हें

तुम्हारी वो नीली साड़ी,
उस पर तुम्हारी मुस्कान
समझ नहीं आता के
पहले तारीफ़ किसकी करूं…
उस साड़ी में तुम लग रहीं थी
एक नील पत्थर
वही नील पत्थर,
जो अब तुम से ज्यादा
मेरे सपनों में आता है…
वही नील पत्थर जो केवल
मेरे सपनों की दुनिया तक सीमित है,
आँखें खुलने पर सपनों की तरह
जो पल में ओझल हो जाता है…
जिसकी चमक आंखे खुलने नहीं देती
और ख़ूबसूरती आँखें फेरने नहीं देती
जब नीली साड़ी में देखता हूँ तुम्हे
वही नायाब नील पत्थर याद आता है..




The Saree – Between Objectification and Professionalism – Nivi Jaswal

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“Own, Embrace, and Claim”

An Indian woman’s personal narrative of reclaiming her cultural and professional identity…!!!

Women are everywhere, from professions and schools to homes and communities. Women’s empowerment is described as fostering women’s self-esteem, ability to make their own decisions, and right to affect societal change for themselves and others. Be it through their choice of career, decisions for their personal life, or their attire. When women have power over themselves in any aspect of their life that is when we can finally say we have achieved the goal of empowering women.

People and groups are empowered when they have a high level of autonomy and self-determination. This allows individuals to act on their own authority and represent their own interests in a responsible and self-determined manner. Everyone deserves the freedom to wear whatever attire they feel comfortable and empowered in, but we still face backlash and have restrictions even on clothing. In my case, I have always been an admirer of Saree. From the very beginning, it has fascinated me to my core and I always wanted to showcase its beauty to others as well.

When I lived in Europe, a manager once forced me to remove my nail paint at work because he thought the hue was too Indian. “This is Europe, we don’t celebrate Diwali here, your nails are much too gaudy, this isn’t India,” he said in the middle of a meeting. In order to put things in perspective, I had my nails done in a salon in Moscow. They were a delicate pink with lotus blossoms painstakingly painted by one of Russia’s top nail artists.

On another occasion, while on a regional assignment in Asia, I was reminded that wearing a Saree is not corporate and that I should avoid Henna (also known as Mehandi) on my hands during a family function since my hands will not convey enough professionalism when I return to work.

I’m wearing a black Phulkari saree in the photo above, which was taken on the occasion of Karwachauth. Rural Punjabi artisan ladies sewed this exquisite Phulkari saree. On the other hand, on the occasion of Diwali, I am dressed in a blue Maheshwari silk saree.
The elegance of these flowing sarees enchanted me.
Above is my picture with henna on my hands while I’m wearing a lovely blue Maheshwari handcrafted design sari with traditional Kundan jewelry. I want to show this to all those who think showcasing and embracing one’s culture is not professional enough.
I want to convey this to all those who are holding back from embracing what they love just because they fear others are going to judge.
None of this has anything to do with my capacity to work to do independent research, hold professional conversations, work in or outside of the corporate sector, attend business school, participate in panel debates, or create a business.

I hope to inspire women from all walks of life, regions, and cultures to find within themselves the courage to wear symbols of their own inheritance and identity. Whether it’s a piece of clothing, jewelry, an heirloom that your ancestors left you or even the right to wear your hair in a way that’s culturally significant for you. When women step into their own, they give an opportunity for their inner Shakti to shine, and when even one of us shows courage, breaks a ceiling or walks our own tall talk – it offers much needed role models for others to follow suit.

– Nivi Jaswal

Founder and President – The Virsa Foundation Inc.
Visit : YouTube & Spotify




“Saree” My style statement of fashion – Richa Kesharwani

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My passion for Indian culture and heritage, which dates back to my early years, is what inspired me to wear sarees. As we become older, we frequently abandon our basic principles in favor of what our generation refers to as the “New Cool”. and start doing or wearing things that make us uncomfortable. Even though I had always been drawn to a variety of trendy clothes, as I got older I realized how much I really loved everything “desi”. I started to like dressing in a slightly traditional Indian manner and being trendy.

 

The saree, which I always considered to be the most fashionable and in-vogue item of clothing, is a minimum 6-yard saree woven with gorgeous textiles, originally from various regions of India, and created using a variety of regional art techniques.

In order to symbolize a mix of Indian culture with western fashion, I brought various saree draping styles that are seen in my photographs, along with jeans and a top. I bring forth a real Indian elegance and India’s vivid and most civilized attire by pairing my various saree fabrics with handcrafted and ethnic tops.

 I was truly inspired by the way Indian women, like my mother and grandmothers, handled everything while managing their children and household chores while wearing a 6-yard saree. I also wondered how comfortable it could possibly be until I wore my mother’s silk saree for the first time while sporting an Indian look by pairing it with traditional Indian jewelry. 

There isn’t a specific type of fabric that I adore when it comes to wearing sarees, but the one that draws me in the most is Indian art silk that has been dyed in vibrant Indian colors and weaved with golden zari. I recently wore a red Banarsi silk saree with gold zari thread work and a large pallu.

 I showed a beautiful Maharashtrian cultural elegance in my Paithani silk 9-yard saree with an exquisite zari border styling in nauvari look while competing in the “Miss India” national costume round. For my gracious Indian look, I was chosen as “Miss Diva 2022”. 

 

In particular, I was greatly praised for my Indian graceful appearance by larger corporate officials visiting from different countries abroad and serving as an inspiration for sarees when I proudly wore my Chanderi silk hand-painted saree with art design during my office corporate meetings and parties. 

Kanjeevaram silk is one of the reasons I fell in love with sarees because of its exquisite temple designs, floral Buttas, and stripes mixed with a blend of colors. A single vibrant color saree weaved with three silk threads and twisted with gold and silver wire just compels me to present myself in a mesmerizing Indian look during weddings and home functions.

My Mysore royal silk saree, which is simple and has borders with elaborate gold and silver zari work, constantly draws me to wear it while working.

 

 A must-have item in my wardrobe is my Kosa silk collection, a Tussar silk variation from the state of Chattisgarh that is made from Indian silkworm and cocoon and prized for its softness and purity.

I still have 30 more regional Indian saree variants to discover, ranging from 6 to 9 yards, and I’m excited to design them in a distinctive, ethnic fashion that is still luxurious and exquisite as part of my never-ending quest and passion for sarees.

Richa Kesharwani




Queen in Nature | Sowmya Sri

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In today’s fast-paced world a crisis that has brought this world down on its knees is climate change. Environmental implications of global climate change have already been observed. Glaciers have receded, ice on rivers and lakes has broken up earlier, plant and animal ranges have altered, and trees have begun to bud earlier. Global climate change is having the effects that experts projected in the past which is rapid sea-level rise due to ice loss.
Many people believe that climate change is primarily associated with increased temperatures. However, the spike in temperature is just the beginning. Changes in one place might impact changes in others because the Earth is a system in which everything is interrelated.

Droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and dwindling biodiversity are all examples of climate change’s repercussions. It is high time when the world needs to take strict action regarding it. While individuals may not be able to make significant reductions in emissions to keep climate change under control, personal action is crucial in elevating the importance of climate change issues among governments and companies. Using your influence as a customer, client, voter, and active citizen will result in far-reaching improvements.


Environmentalists have started a number of campaigns to rectify the harm that has been done, such as Save Soil, which has lately garnered a lot of traction. Fortunately, we have folks who are always giving their all for this noble cause. There are various ways you may reach out to act towards fixing this global catastrophe, whether it’s through propagating movements by being present on the ground or by influencing others through social media activities.
Sowmyasri Thalanki, who was just named Ms. Biosphere is one of these individuals. She is an environmentalist, is an expert in the fashion arena, and was awarded the title of Ms. Biosphere India, 2022. There are many notable works done by her as she is an active participant in social work.

What provoked us to talk about this pageant winner is how she is influencing the people to act towards saving the ecosphere through her posts which have a tint of retro vibe dominated by tints of earthy colors.

She’s wearing a flowery saree in the photo above, which gives off beautiful spring feelings. It combines two unique colors, turquoise and dark blue which are the most cherished colors in the hydrosphere, in a beautiful way. Pink flower motifs are quite fashionable since they highlight the attractiveness of the garment’s hue. By wearing a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring, she attempted to balance out the accessories. The borders of this saree have a highly crafted golden design, and she matched the golden and turquoise color scheme with her accessories. She kept the style of her blouses neutral by choosing a sleeveless plain top with a simple pattern.

Sowmya’s choice of saree in the top photo gives off a nostalgic aura. The vibrant yellow color appreciates the beauty of the Lithosphere of our Mother Earth. Indeed, she exudes a colorful atmosphere, but it is the ruffles that give this outfit its distinct character. The pink ruffles on this yellow saree mirror the pink flower motifs on the saree. Despite the fact that the blouse has a distinct design, it is unique. She enhanced her outfit by wearing it with hanging earrings.

She is wearing a baby pink saree with a neutral structure in the top photo, but the show-stealer is the blouse she is wearing. The color of the saree compliments the rare tint shown by the atmosphere. It has exquisitely embroidered needlework that is subtle but spectacular. It includes a net on the sleeves, which is embellished with embroidery to complete the design. The embroidered blouse is well balanced by the simple baby pink saree. She completed her ensemble by wearing matching earrings and a necklace. She also wore a belt to define her waist, which enhanced her style by not only emphasizing her form but also giving her a more defined look than normal. Even a basic saree may look stylish when paired with a belt.


Her sense of style in her dress selections complements her work ethic. She exemplifies gratitude for what we have and perseverance in recognizing our abilities. Every human being has a unique collection of skills, talents, and abilities, which is why we have variety. You never know what influence your expertise might have on this cause so do not leave any stone unturned.
The increased reach and scope of social media have allowed people to influence and motivate others to strive for our common good. As a result, this role is equally significant, and seeing someone who has been given the title and is working tirelessly in their field inspires optimism for addressing the situation.