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Sari-loving women from around the world have been wrapping themselves in a variety of fabulous fabrics and taking to social media to spread awareness about the traditional Asian attire as well as bidding to bring the draping back into everyday style.
Housewife Asha Srinivas, who has lived in the kingdom for the past 20 years and spends most of her days wearing casual outfits, joined the ‘100sareepact’ campaign created by two friends in Bangalore, India.
Anju Moudgal Kadam and Ally Matthan wanted to share their memories and love for the beautiful garments that had been handed down to them by their mothers by taking out the saris and wearing them rather than just staring at the clothing occasionally, packed away in cupboard drawers and wardrobes.
They made a pact to wear 100 saris in one year and repetition was allowed. They asked women like Asha to join in the fun by hash tagging their funny memories and sentimental stories with #100sareepact on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media accounts.
Since she started draping herself in March last year, she has fallen back in love with the pretty patterns and silky fabrics and wearing the outfits has once more become a part of her daily routine.
Asha, 54, who lives in Mahooz, said: “The sari became a medium to tell stories. Anyone and everyone could join the pact by simply draping on a sari, writing memories attached to it and sharing it on social media using the hash tag. “When I heard about the pact I fell hook, line and sinker for the challenge. Sari, being traditional Indian attire, is a fascinating garment which doesn’t come in small, medium or large sizes but comes in one-size, fits all!
“Many modern women took to wearing a dress for their daily wear and slowly the sari became an occasional item draped only during festivals or special occasions. But, for me, the sari pact came as a breath of fresh air!
“By embracing it, I got a chance to air out my saris and at the same time tell my stories. I chose Facebook to showcase them and share my memories. I embraced the pact and Anju and Ally became my friends along with many ladies across India and the world over.
“The pact went viral and now includes numerous women, including professionals such as lawyers, architects, designers, a cancer survivor, a singer, artists, bloggers, a banker, a story teller, an author, various professionals and many teachers. Soon a sari narrative began to emerge. A narrative that through the medium of a sari began to weave stories of love, affection, relationships of family and friends and all that we hold dear.”
A sari consists of a drape varying from four-and-a-half metres to eight metres in length and two to four feet in breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end swathed over the shoulder, baring the midriff.
The sari is usually worn over a blouse that has short sleeves and is usually cropped at the midriff. Some of the fabrics used for saris are intricately embellished, or soft and simple. They are seen as elegant and widely-regarded as a symbol of Indian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan cultures. They are also worn differently depending where the women is from.
For the past year, Asha has displayed her colourful collection including Kanjeevarams, Banares, cottons, jutes, synthetic, silks, crapes, blends of silk, handlooms, linens, net, chiffons, ikat, mirror work, hand embroidered, Mul muls and Pashmina saris … to name but a few.
She said: “The sari was always an occasional wear meant for only special occasions, festivals, parties and the likes. When I embraced the pact, I thought it could be dealt with easily as I had several months to complete it. I started taking out my saris one-by-one and there was no looking back. Never ever in my life had I posed for so many pictures!
“My life was beginning to change. I draped a sari to watch the sunset here, wore it to a mall, to the airport, to restaurants and posed in front of our swimming pool, our compound garden and at shows.
“I even carried them to Kashmir and Agra while on vacation. I draped saris on special occasions too like my wedding anniversary and birthday.”
She wore her 84th sari for her father’s 84th birthday party and adorned her 100th sari on December 21 which marked the first World Sari Day in Bangalore, India. Women from all over the world gathered together to celebrate the various weaves of India by chanting: “I will wear my sari with pride.”
Asha celebrated her big 100 in Bahrain with her husband Krishnamurthy, a technical advisor for Bahrain Foundation Construction Company, and thanks him for his photography. She said: “I have to say a big ‘thank you’ to my husband for his immense patience to click these many photographs and having encouraged me throughout the pact.
“Well, writing about the joyous journey of 100 saris, it was one big learning experience. The saris, the stories, the outstanding weaves, the exquisite craftsmanship, the history, art, the rich culture and vibrant colours, I learnt them all.
“As for my sari posts on Facebook and the comments that I received, it was overwhelming. I was showered with fascinating adjectives and genuine praise from like-minded ‘pacters’, family and friends from all over the world. Everyone loved the stories attached and the compliments I received were like a daily dose of vitamins.
“This pact was not at all about telling everyone how many saris one had but it was sharing of those wonderful moments in one’s life, the people, the places, and best of all, the friendships forged through saris. The year will surely remain the YEAR OF SAREES for me.
“Women from US, Norway, Singapore and Australia have also draped their saris and told their stories. From what I have seen and read, I can only say that this fabulous Indian attire is here to stay for many years to come!”
