Since childhood, I had always seen my mother wear a sari, as did most married women in India a decade or so ago.
It was simply a way of life. Mummy wore one every day, almost like a second skin, with no frills attached, paired with her matching blouses, a neatly tied bun, red bangles, and a red bindi on her forehead. That image of her is ingrained so deeply in my mind. Come a celebration or a festival, the sari remained a constant; it simply became fancier and a little more elaborate.
Mummy was a true sari connoisseur, with an enviable and eclectic collection spanning every weave and fabric imaginable. After she passed away, we inherited this precious treasure. I often wear her saris on festivals and special occasions, not only because they look gorgeous, but also for the nostalgia they evoke and the privilege of carrying a little piece of her with me.
Over the years, the sari has gradually evolved into more of a couture garment, with endless variations and interpretations. Today, it is worn largely for formal or special occasions and is seldom a part of everyday life, unless it happens to be prescribed as professional attire.
The era of the sari as an everyday garment for Indian women is, sadly, long gone.
Through the following pictures, I wish to showcase something quite different: the practical, ubiquitous sari look that my mother exhibited in her everyday life; unfussy, graceful, and completely her own.
A sari worn with love and pride, and with the quiet contentment she found in nurturing her family wholeheartedly and selflessly, all her life.
And this is the memory I wish to preserve and cherish forever. ❤️
