A little bit of India - Saree <title>
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<i style="color: #666666;">This is the second post of the series "<a href="http://bloomsnbugs.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-series-little-bit-of-india-diwali.html" target="_blank">A Little bit of India</a>" read the first part of the series: <a href="http://bloomsnbugs.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-series-little-bit-of-india-diwali.html" target="_blank">A little bit of India - Diwali</a></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie n Dye work of Rajasthan</td></tr>
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<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today I'm sharing something from my wardrobe that you don't have, unless you're an Indian...The Saree.
I think the whole point of invention of this piece of clothing was to make life as difficult as possible for women...
Its a 45 inches wide and 6-7 metres(~8 yds) long piece of fabric (mostly sheer) that you wear all over yourself and it is held together only with the help of a couple of safety pins...just imagine, wearing it is like asking for a major wardrobe malfunction. </pre>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand Embroidered Shadow Work of Lucknow</td></tr>
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<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Even if you ever manage to wear one properly there's about one and a half yard of Pallu dangling from your shoulder just ready to create some trouble at the drop of a hat. Wear it with proper pleats and you look matronly...wear it without any and you risk looking too...
well...lets just say family unfriendly ;-) And don't even get me started on the accessories you NEED to go with it...given my normal uniform of jeans and tops, I feel like a walking jewelry store when I'm in a Saree. NO, you just can't wear a Saree without the accessories...its just not done. Besides the must have blouse and petticoat that HAVE to be worn along with the saree (yeah! remember that family unfriendly part). Here's a minimalist's list of accessories to go with a Saree. Start with a Bindi on the forehead, get the matching glass bangles in the arms, then comes the necklace, and the earrings and while you're at it don't forget to add matching slingbacks or wedges and after all that you would need a wrist wallet of course. Some people think that bichhiya ( toe rings) and anklets should also be part of the must have accessories....what can I say, I've always been a minimalist :)</pre>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embroidered Motif on a Saree</td></tr>
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<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ok, so with all the trouble, why wear a Saree? Lets see...For starters, you just look so good in a Saree. Yes, thats one look that works for almost all body types...somehow with all the drapes and pleats and pins, Saree manages to bring out the best in any women (Only if it has been worn properly, remember what I said in first paragraph). That alone would be enough, but wait...there's more...Have you ever shopped for a Saree?
Silk? Chanderi or Tassar?
Cotton? Kota Doria or Taant?
Synthetic? Chiffon? Georgette? Are you kidding...and that's just the fabric...there's embroidery, there's weaving, there's print, tie and die anyone? </pre>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie and Dye on a Chiffon Saree</td></tr>
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<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Its difficult to choose and no matter how you choose, you're bound to loose out on some of the yummy, sheer goodness that a saree has to offer. How would you not wear something so beautiful.
I wish I could take you to all the parts of India and introduce you to all the different kinds of Sarees that they make...but then I'll have to write a Saree blog. If you ever go to India, don't forget to take a look at a Saree shop, even if you don't buy anything ( very difficult) there's so much eye candy in there.</pre>
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<h2 class='date-header'><span>Wednesday, October 26, 2011</span></h2>
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<a href='http://bloomsnbugs.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-series-little-bit-of-india-diwali.html'>New series: A little Bit of India - Diwali</a>
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<title> A little bit of India: Diwali
Photo credit:
singhajaykr25 from
morguefile.com
This little blog has been growing beyond my wildest imaginations. I started it as a way to journal my sewing projects...then decided to share some tutorials...then thought maybe I could inspire a couple of you to sew...and it took a life of its own. While I love my corner of blogosphere...lately I have had this feeling that there's something lacking here. After some introspection, I realized that its my own voice. Somehow, I didn't feel very comfortable being myself over here. This is a sewing blog so all we should talk about here is - Sewing, right? Well, right and wrong! I now realize that even though sewing is the primary topic of conversation here, some of you do want to know about the person who is doing all ( or most) of the talking here. Judging by the number of people who take time to read "My Story" it seems like my thoughts, my values and in general who I am, also matters, besides my sewing projects, my machine make and what stitch length I prefer.
So I'm starting this new series about something that is very far away from me, but very close to my heart - India. Some of you may/may not know that I'm an Indian ( Asian Indian) living in USA. While moving to US is one of the best decisions I have made on a practical level, and this is the place we call home now, there're times when I long for the place where I grew up and lived most of my life. So when I thought of a topic that I wanted to talk about here...India seemed like an obvious choice. Like any other place on the face of earth - India has its own triumphs and tribulations. But that's not what I want to talk about here. I'll be talking about the little things that make India home for me. That set it apart from any other place in the world. That are so very unique and so very, Well, India. This is not meant to be a political rhetoric...or your culture vs. my culture...this is just a glimpse of India...through the eyes of a person who has always been fascinated by the color, art and most of all the joy it brings to the people. A point of view...and most definitely myopic. So sit back and relax, grab a cup of coffee if you want and hop on as I take you to India.
Today is one of those days when I miss India most - It is Diwali in India today and if I have to choose only one festival from all, this is the one I would choose. Most of the people would think of Lights and fire-crackers and delicacies when they think of Diwali, but to me Diwali is much more than that. It was the only festival my extended family made it a point to celebrate together, that meant Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts and cousins. It also meant lots of anecdotes and laughter, lots of jokes, songs, dances and games. It was one heady mix of activity and relaxation. Enough to feel sad when it was over and to look forward to it months in advance.
Besides the family, Diwali is a festival that you can feel in the air, much like the way Christmas in US. The decorated markets, dressed up people, the new merchandise, the overflowing sweets. It is kind of Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled into one for me and no matter how hard we try its difficult not to miss India on Diwali.
So before I leave to celebrate Diwali and long for India again... "
Wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali!"
PS: It is said that Diwali is a good time to start something new. That's one of the reasons I am posting this today. I will continue with the future editions of this series on weekends hopefully.
