Heart is where the Home Is!

Before you can correct me, yes I know the proverb is “Home is where the Heart is”

You could travel around the world throughout the year, but unless you have gone home, to your hometown, met your parents you don't feel complete. However sleepy, small, quaint city or town you might hail from, it has its own charm. The different areas & localities of the city holds some part of your childhood memories and maybe you haven't visited these places for years but the moment you set foot all these feelings engulf you with a note of familiarity, a comfort, feel good factor sweeps into your heart and you automatically feel belonged. Thats how the whole chemistry is between you and the place where you hail from.

My trousseau consisted 50% of silk Sarees from Orissa. Different weaves, different varieties typical to different districts of the State. These sarees are popular for the ikkat weavings that adorn them. I had all possible colours, ranging from bright, colourful and lively to formal and elegant. The various motifs that characterize the sarees give a traditional, yet stylish look to the lovely handloom silks. They were all very different and unique as my mom had sourced them directly from the weavers. She had collected them over the years as I belonged to an era where the sarees & other accessories for a daughter was chosen and kept much before the groom had come anywhere close to the picture. Being one of the very few daughters of the extended family, there was no hurry to get me married off but the collection had started early.

Since I grew up with a family full of boys, I was more of a tom boy with jeans & t shirt being my favorite outfit & had very little affinity towards this garment called Saree. Hence most of these sarees, after the first wear, never saw daylight for a decade or more. Since I had grown up seeing my mom, aunts, grandmothers wearing Orissa weaves, with my limited knowledge & ignorance I felt these were definitely for the older generation & was kind of upset that I posses so many. But secretly, I liked each and every one of them so much that didn't want to give them away too. They sat with me and stayed put.

Slowly I got my facts correct & grew to love them so much so that I asked my parents to get for me one whenever they visited me. My father used to make fun of me on this change. This particular one is one of the on-demand Sarees. Its a Bomkai silk with a double passapalli border. The passapali or the checks is typical to Orissa and there has always been a lot of play by the weavers pertaining to this design. It is never out of fashion. I had wanted a white saree with bootis and Passapalli border, after a few rounds of picture sending sessions, I settled for this.

My friend, Richa, who is in the fashion industry had recently organized a Fashion show so we had got special invites for it. Promptly, feeling special, Jaya & me went to attend the show. Loved seeing all the budding talents & really admired the great work so beautifully put together. Admired the creativity that was showcased so well. It was for sure a ‘Wow’ moment for all the amazing work put togehter by these young creative minds!

But, as we walked out of the auditorium and made our way to the car, the lovely day breeze swept past my saree. making me realise I was draping this piece of elegance & deep down felt proud of wearing this timeless drape which stands out and is not only elegant but also reflects our rich heritage, tradition & culture- Our very own Ever graceful saree. No doubt it can give a run to any modern age fashion!

Picture Courtsey: Jaya Vittalam