Saree is a traditional garment worn by women in India and is probably one of the oldest attire for women in Indian and it has a great cultural significance. It is most commonly worn by Hindu women. Each colour of this piece of clothing represents a unique meaning according several casts and beliefs. Sarees in the modern day are not worn as frequently as it used to be worn before. To some it is their everyday clothing and to some “ethnic day” material. It has become an “Indian” thing as opposed to a more Hindu thing.
I watch Hollywood TV shows and movies, when there is a crossover of an Indian woman, they appear to be wearing a saree most of the time. This is one small memory that comes to me when I speak about a saree being “Indian”.I bet you can find girls using the hashtag “desi” or “sanskari” when they post a picture wearing a saree. Wait for Independence day or Republic day to come around, women will be adorned in sarees! This very fact is enough to convince that a saree is an icon of “Indianess”.
My memory of a saree is a rather embarrassing one. My older brother used to dare me to dress myself in a saree when I was around 5 years old and my innocent brain obeyed his orders. I used to tell my mother that I wear a saree better than her. Sarees always took me in awe because I loved the designs on it. My then creative self wanted to cut pieces these sarees and put them on walls like paintings. There was one point where I used to draw sarees for my mother.
I am in two minds when it comes to thinking about whether a saree has cultural significance or seeing it as just another garment. I think this question has arisen because we are influenced by western culture. We have lost our identity because of this factor. We are not deeply rooted to our culture. We are easily carried away by the western way of doing things. We are neither here nor there. We are stuck in the middle, which just makes us look stupid. The reason to this? technology? maybe. I feel we are overlooking our tradition.
Sarees play an important role in our culture. Although, I wouldn’t associate any religion or nationality to it. After the pleasant sight of sunrise, I would place watching a woman in a saree as a beautiful sight.
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