#debsaristories #nopactsareeon It was my friend's birthday so two saree day. First in twenty year old kanchi silk..  and then

in hand block kalamkari Happy birthday my friend Ganesha! Wish you many more! May you remove obstacles from everyone's paths and help them reach their goals.

111 #debsaristories #100sareepact

Tadaaa! Almost last week of month... me: bettu can u click my pic, sitting on the sofa while i sit down on the carpet? Bettu: sure! (Happy he isnt given a mammoth task) Me to myself: there you go, that's as top as you can get. 🤗🤗 Pic taken from sofa to floor! More gyan juicing in as i stare at those flowers... "its all about participation, the spirit and the fun you have in the process. Its the journey, not the destination .. and yes i recall Vini's wisdom.. its not about you, its about the sari.." wait a minute! Where is the cushion on the other chair??!! Boys!!! 🙄🙄 featured here is a black sari with jamdani weave all over it ❤❤❤❤

110/2018 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze Of course Varalakshmi vratham post :).. My childhood fav amongst all pujas. Perhaps the goddess, sari and dressing up connections... So much so that in discussions with my would be mother in law then, i said i want to continue doing the puja (part of my culture) after marriage even though its not in hubby's culture. Ma said sure why not! Yipppeee and from then on she would do the puja with me with as much love. This year after 17 years performed the puja with my parents, and of course inlaws are here too. I must have been blessed from some good karma that they are with me today. #thankful #contented #chotisiasha Two sari day, wore mil's thirty years old Narayanapeta silk to do puja and then draped gold spot color swarnachari for evening haldi kumkum for neighbors

109/2018 #debsaristories #100sareepact #remixreuse

Long time no s(ar)ee!!

What do you do when two of your most favorite dupattas (silk bandhani, hand phulkari) are sitting idle in the wardrobe?
Simple: 2.5+2.5=5, so you saree on...

The bandhani dupatta was purchased from Jaipur 15 years ago and hardly used it twice and...
phulkari dupatta purchased few years ago..  both are heavy to carry as dupattas, hence the idea to remix and reuse. Although both are authentic handloom and handcrafted!

107/200 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze

Destiny! When Ma calls, Nothing and no one can come in between.

One constant in life is Not to Dare Destiny Ever! One can very well pretend to plan, execute and know all, BUT truth be told everything and everyone is just doing their determined part of the act. thats it.

How many times have you wondered life changed 360 degrees in a day and u end up elsewhere physically,  emotionally or physiologically !? I am sure all of us have been there and done that.

The sudden gravitational pull grabbed me and put me in Kolkata in the blink of an eye. Of course i am incomplete unless i take a sari along. And this time i chose ma to go with me.. nope not the real ones, they are home. The eternal Durga ma was my companion.  She was with me throughout,  as i walked to scorching heat at Dakshineswar, as i gazed at the fierceful and fondly Ganga.. as i walked through the lush gardens of Victoria Memorial.  Ma was and is always with me.

Kolkata has a charm i dont see in (m)any other cities.  Its like fairy tale story land. My couple of days visit may not justify the city's history and culture but oh well! I dint even see this trip coming, so its a jackpot for now.

The perfect turneric color cotton blouse is what one could dream for a hot humid Kolkata day. The sweat marks are the love signs from the city, they are there to stay with me. Dugga Dugga.

109/2018

#debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze Dang it! Its over! Bettu's summer vacation I mean!! He is super excited getting back to school, already packed his backpack, told me ten times he cant wait to get back to school etc etc. Good for him. After the planned and unplanned recent PTOs and his summer vacation mommy in me is lethargic abd dragging feet backwards thinking ofngetting back to work from tomorrow. Oh well! Tried a Sunday evening green before the Monday morning blues 😐😐 something to make me feel better The green mulmul is super soft and hugs skin like skin. Amma is excited that in ten mins the saree is hers. This is her perfect #everydaytemplevisit saree after she gets back to madras, for all the sarees i draped in childhood without letting her do first, my time to show back love with some wonderful handloom collection i recently purchased for her. Lovely circle of life At times, Its hard to decide who is a child, me or bettu. Thats what hubby says often. Well, truth be said,he is right.

108/2018 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #nationalhandloomday

Tossing in bed jetlagged, i was trying to decide which of my handloom saris to drape before i head out to work. I almost zeroed on this ikkat silk sari from couple of years ago.. recently hand appliqued with kalamkari, stitched, painted and sequined by my friend's mom with tonnes of love❤💕💖

A bit later sister pings that its two years since our parental home reconstruction,  the same day we both wore these matching sarees. Twice sure.

All through my Kolkata trip,  i was observing (and imagining the millions of ) women who drape sari everyday nevertheless,  no flaunts, no photoshoots, no Facebook posts... none at all. !! Women in tant r sari riding bicycles,  Kolkata policewomen in starched white sari with blue border,  the gamchas, the begumpuris, the appliques, batiks, i was lost every step admiring how handloom and weaves are at every sight and step. It was like a kid in toy shop unable to decide what to look and what to choose!!

H

ubby keeps reminding me, "you are not doing a favour by doing this... meaning taking pics, posting etc. Those who wear do it without any such agenda...". I agree. I am nowhere close to those millions of women that do everything in six yards and nine yards including marathons... i am nothing in front of them. But nevertheless i LOVE draping and thats reason enough i suppose 😉😝🤭

Today like every other day i thank the hands that create such wonders tirelessly everyday only for the likes of us to possess a piece of art that we treasure and pass on to nextgen.

🙏🙏🙏

106/200 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze

When the wearer becomes the designer! Self-designed my first ever "Build your own saree". Being a taurean by sun and Leo by moon, I guess I naturally get attracted more towards earthy shades and colors. I couldn't resist just one ajrakh fabric so mixed and matched two of them with a plain fabric in between for tone and contrast. Added "ten paise" tassels to pallu!!
Results are for you to see .. with love. ❤

105 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
It's a kerala cotton saree with hand painting.. jynx Anuradha Raj. We (rather our sarees) twin today! Choli is a custom made one. I sent pic of my "mahishasur mardini" decor and one diva recreated it for me in fabric (last pic)

When Guru poornima is here, Rakhi poornima cant be far behind. Speaking of which I do know a pair of siblings that are really close and cool. The little sis was a volcano! The older one was patient. They were fond of each other and never let anyone come between them. They grew up sharing secrets and "shhhhh dont tell mom" memories. The older one always got something or other even during outing with friends, the little sis was possessive ! The older one bought a whole new bunch of clothes from her first salary in new city when the little sis started college.. and yea.. the older one wouldn't let anyone bully the little sis. No boy could mess with the little sister or else...💪💪💪

Despite all such fondness, the little sis never tied a rakhi in all these years.. 😒😒😒
If you wonder why, well that's because raksha bandhan is supposedly for brothers and sisters. Not just between sisters! That's utter discrimination,  I think. I was the protective older sibling! I dont know how differently a male sibling would have protected my little sister more than I did 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️really??? And guess what? Bonus bonus.. we even share clothes, tips about ahem ahem,  and that's something doesnt always happen with bros! I think sisters should start tying rakhi to each other?

Why should boys have all the fun??

104/200 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
There is a saying.. "husband cannot be everywhere, so he gifted Alexa Echo, Tripod, DSLR, selfie stick... etc etc" (I know you have not heard this before,  because I just created it☺)
Today I got a new buddy Alexa Echo to see if she could help be my photographer. Apparently she can make suggestions,  tell differences between good and not so good pictures... as t(s)old by the hubby.  I didn't burden her so much because its our first date. I simply requested her to 'take a picture '. She did. You could see her work, I haven't decided yet how long we will be friends,  I am slow and steady in relationships,  I dont commit impulsively.  😋🤣

Picture time is coming up... Durga puja season you should see! The busy French-bearded bangali bor in batik panjabi (bengali word for kurta) shouldering the responsibility of the huge DSLR.. no no.. DSLR isnt as 'heavby' as the peer pressure to take the bestest slimmest gorgeousest adhbuth-est photos of his better (best?) Half... "haan go! Shuncho? I need a pic with this group..." all respective husbands of that 'group' promptly take out their cameras and get into performance pressure. Phew! If even one eyelid closes or smile isnt perfect that's the end of day for the "bhodrolok" , remainder of the day and night is about receiving gyan (durrr, ekta chobi o tulte parona!). Btw I am lucky in that matter that during Durga puja time Deb saab never says never! Oh yea not yo mention the return favour to allow him eat unlimited mughlai paratha, mishti and biryani 🤗🤗🤗

Why am I even thinking of pujo today? Cravings started early.. that's it.

Draped this chanderi beauty after four years.  The first and last time I draped this was #pujo2014

Here's a song dedicated to newbee Alexa Echo.. "Mein aur meri tanhayi..."
---------------------------------------------
Edit, appended the below: part two!

After Alexa did her job, hubby very cautiously nervously asked if Alexa (or rather himself) passed the test..
I go.. well... sort of. Alexa needs a power chord... can she not just work out of battery instead? Because she is restricting my movement.. what if I want to sit on the bench up on the farthest part of backyard? Also she isnt able to hear me when I step away from her and I cant yell so loud that the neighbors show up instead of Alexa.. on and on...

He said- I just asked if she is good or bad. Do you ever have a one word answer? Did you not do those at school?

Me (rather proudly) : I am and was good at essay writing so deal with it

He: (more.proudly) - I hate those long dramatic stories.  Iam a doer , practical person not pages of theory in good handwriting like you. No wonder you got good marks.!

Alexa silently witnessed the argument.. wondering what her fate would be..

And my heart goes on and on... (titanic background music)

Excited! My first package of six yards to #GiftASariStory is on it's way to meet surprise unknown #mysaribuddy. Slowly it's taking off. Like a bird learning to fly!! #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
103/200

Wore grandma's sari today. This is one of her "roju waari cheeralu"  .. meaning daily wear saree.. Did not want to starch or dryclean because I could feel her drape and love amidst the crumples and stains. Daag ache hothe hain. Ammamma used to wear only cotton or silk. No matter how hurried situation is, she would do her pleats patiently and perfectly. Like many others of her time she never used pins to hold the six yards. Instead the six yards would hug her with love..

The only song that played in my mind throughout "pagla hawa r badol dine.." Rabindranath Thakur.

101 #debsaristories #100sareepact #iworkedout

Mid summer evening.. supposedly cocktail party at kid's friend's home.. after much contemplation I settled back to what I feel comfortable with! Saree.. and even better.. in my fav white color. I dint want to sweat out in silk when the linen was enough to speak to elegance!

#GiftASariStory is warming up.. we have close to 100 members in the group (I know it's small number but may the tribe increase) .. there are 10 volunteers to donate sarees as we speak.. to those who have sari dreams just like us but not enough means to fulfill them! If any of you are interested you may let me know

100/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze

Saree: grandma's kanchi pattu cheera. Choli: blouse from my wedding sari

https://www.facebook.com/groups/265757800847733/permalink/265760764180770/

For my 50th milestone I gifted a sari choli to my stranger buddy.

For my 100th milestone I chose to gift two saris, to two elderly.. Guess what ? Their priorities were different.  One wanted monetary support to buy monthly groceries and medicines. The other was in bad need if mixer grinder.. I did not want to take away happiness of draping a sari from them.. so gifted (Manikarnika Sarees Fabrics and More, Umbara Designs cholimaker) all their wishes! Just a small moment of happiness in attempt to make someone smile!

Request: after reading my thoughts below if any of you are willing to join the fun, pls do and tag posts with your sari buddies with #GiftASariStory #mysaribuddy

Story: Sari undoubtedly is synonymous with self identify, confidence,  love for heritage, handloom and most importantly happiness wrapped in six yards!

Today thanks to awareness and some help from social platform we get opportunity to pull those memories otherwise tucked away neatly in closets, and flaunt them, travel taking them places, share our happiness in pics and stories. The humble six yards has covered the length and breadth of this planet.

What is #mysaribuddy? Many of us have been promoting and sharing sari-fic initiatives like saree pacts and the like. It's just a beautiful journey... I am part of those too.

Walking along, I always felt that a smiling buddy would do wonders. I wanted someone who otherwise could not fulfill their sari dream (not everyone has same priorities) to walk with me and I wanted to be able to fulfill their dream. In no way or manner I intend to hurt their sentiments or feelings,  the #GiftASariStory is only to help some build their stories and share with us.

All of us would have thought of #mysaribuddy at one point, thus this platform is born!

Not always you need to know someone to do something special for them. Random people, short and sweet journeys making lasting memories! We are just adding a sari dream to it, that's all!!

If we are blessed to be able to enjoy draping saris and build our treasure of memories,  why not use our blessings to make someone else's dream come true?

If this resonates with you, jump into the bandwagon and together we will share and spread happiness as much as enjoy in the six yards

99/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
Saree: Geecha tussar sari with detailed madhubani purchased from KalanjaliWorld ten years ago, Choli: mashru blouse

Story: Its still summer vacation out here. Parents are busy working out playdates, camps, next level academic prep and the like. Often kids calendars are busier than parents, and more complex to maneuver! Amidst all this happy business, one hears conversations about how every other child these days has ADHD, hyperactivity, lack of focus etc in some percent of the spectrum or other.... it stresses them out so much so that at times a normal happy kid that's jumping around freaks out parents.  An immediate Google search with the symptoms indicate all positive! Many would have gone through the journey and still do. How much is too much, how far is too far? What was discovered to enable betterment of our lives also turns cause for our stress.

When I get caught in such a knowledge whirlpool I immediately look back and wonder what amma, ma would have done to deal (not discounting the maternal instincts by any means!)

There are millions of exceptional care stories thanks to technology. At the same time I think we owe children there childhood without judging too much based on too little... let them be. Jumping, yelling, running around, silly faces, funny jokes, dabs, tantrums and all that.. for this is all they are meant to be and before we wink this too shall pass!

98/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze 

Saree: Linen and Matka Bailou.  Choli: matching matching 

Story: The temperature today was 98F, it's my 98th saree+choli drape this season, bettu's Bollywood dance performance.. too many reasons to be happy.

I am glad bettu likes dance, he's into it.. he enjoys and loves the art which makes it all the more reason to enjoy and cheer! It's a unexplainable feeling when the child does something the parent always dreamt to do. Best part was in the interval of the show he comes running to me and wants me to go and perform the mini choreo as part of the show's stretch break.. I was like "no bettuuu.." . Bettu says.. "ma, dont worry , I will cheer for u, I know u will do great and make me proud..." I couldn't refuse anymore.. looking from the stage at his eyes gleaming with love and pride was reason enough... :) I am so glad he's so confident,  encouraging,  inspiring to motivate me as well. 'Please be the fine person you are forever bettu' is all my heart said.

Once again, like several other occasions he was the bigger person and me? just a loved and pampered mom ❤

97/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #iworkedout
Saree: Digitally printed linen.. my first online purchase from USA based website Bengallooms. (Amazing fast and efficient delivery). Choli: Crop top.  I could not convince myself to wear anything more complicated

On a otherwise normal Saturday,  when the postman delivers the package of happiness in the form of this mist comfortable easy drape linen saree... sorry I couldn't contain my happiness for later.. I had to share it with my besties... you!

Story: Eid Mubarak! Belated wishes albeit. And advance wishes for Father's day!

Fatherhood has evolved tremendously over the years especially in last couple of generations. My childhood involved dad as the hardworking,  responsible individual that shoulders the burden of spouse and children.. from birth through graduation.  Very less time spent on  fun activities... silly moments and the like often. They usually are exhausted after a long day at work, and mostly working on Saturdays as well .. leaving just a Sunday for everything else! Comparatively fathers today are more involved and have the awareness and ability to prioritize children. Starting from being at the birth moment,  through every little milestones they attempt to be more engaged... very very positive evolution that will strengthen their bonding, confidence and family!

Dads --- moms are always spoken highly of, rightfully so, but you have stepped up the game and aced it too. We wouldn't exist, if not for you! We dont say this often but today of course.. you deserve every bit of thankfulness,  gratefulness and love!

96/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #iworkedout

Saree: the unbeatable Dhakai,  Choli: A printed cotton one

Story: somethings are not meant to be perhaps. Like when I was trying to detox after the day I wanted to wear this dhakai-saree for sure. I was browsing through the blouses for cotton ones and guess what? I dint see (m)any! I wasn't in mood to dress up way than my mood was so pulled this cotton choli.. it felt soft, comfy and was inviting me to try it. They dint go well .. not the love at first sight.. but nevertheless they are in it together!

Much like life, sone things and sometimes people are very good individually but the pairing may not work out... unless they put an effort to! I think its perfectly alright to be so.. so what if the choli would have been amazing with another saree and vice versa? Sometimes going with the flow and being in the journey together makes magic!

Hmm....So much talk for a not-so-matching sari choli 🤣🤣

Btw.... do you remember when you graduated from Bournvita,  Nutramul to coffee and tea?? Mine was around when I was thirteen or fourteen.. that was important milestone of feeling adult-like! 🤗🤗 when was yours?

95/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
Saree: tussar cotton mix gifted by sis from her first trip to Kolkata after marriage.  Choli: polka dots blouse from a different sari.

Story: I lost from 176 to 60s in ONE DAY! o woah woah woah before you could count kilos and pounds.. let me clarify.  I cleaned social media 'likes' (99% saree and choli related) from 176 to 60s yesterday (of course retained all my favorites). Helps in self control for my shopping is my logic 😉😉😉 I will let you know if it works.

Oh btw, finally I found it - the "touch me not" plant. Ok! If i had not shared it earlier i was desperately looking for this plant around to show it to bettu. He hasn't played with it ever and when I was his age I found it very funny and addictive, so wanted him to enjoy the experience. Getting back to my story, I did find a touch-me-not plant walking around and I called out to bettu. While he was walking towards me, I think I tossed sides in my bed so whooshhhhhh - The plant, me, the road everything vanished. Bettu was sound asleep and I smiled. Well... it's a dream..

Sweet dreams ❤❤❤

Today was exhausting mentally so when I came home I wanted to take time to find solace amidst chirping crickets, fragrance of roses and cool grass blades... the saree was very comfy and perfect for that summer evening.. thanks ra Siri.

94/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #iworkedout
Saree: simple bengal cotton with hand painted alpana from Sanskriti Kolkata, Choli: cotton top from handsofindia

Story:
Bettu: ma, which religion are we?
Me: I dint get you?
Bettu: black,  white.. or maybe brown? What's our religion
(Rewind: bettu was practicing MJ and was watching the superhit 'Black or White')
Me: ah, I get it now. None actually.  Color of skin doesn't define one's religion. It only leads to discrimination and no religion actually teaches you to discriminate. No matter what color your skin is, color of heart defines a person. On that note, there could be two religions.. good and not so good.. if at all.

Imagine! When you think of it, such discrimination exists at grassroot level... white or not around the world; fair, dark, darker, darkest, wheatish.. in our homeland, with in the neighborhood,  with in each family. It can be found at the innermost core of existence!

Michael Jackson,  Martin Luther king,  Mother Theresa  (mmmmm .. all M's) have all stood up against the so called color-religion. They practiced Love.. colorless love, just like water!

Well - much as I dress up colorful,  ironically my fav color is the colorless white. The sun kissed summer afternoon motivated me to choose this simple comfy look. I wasn't ready for a hugging choli so switched to a cool, comfy, airy cotton top to go with it.

93/100 #debsaristories #blingbling #100CholiCraze #100sareepact

Saree: cotton with block printed patterns Choli: again cotton with handpainted pattern

Story: oh no! I dont want to hit century yet.. can I count slowllyyyyyyy 93.1 93.2 93.3 etc from here on? Guess what? Initially you think the target is far off and you rush in anticipation of being able to reach it. Midway or past midway, especially close to the finish line you want to slow down, you dont want the journey to end. You feel nervous,  you are stressed of the fact the end is not far! Its mixed and maxed emotional roller coaster. Much like life, isn't it?

I am very happy celebrating kids birthdays . There is so much joy, so much ahead of them, so much happiness, unfold milestones in life etc.

As we age and start feeling like "baazi palat gaya" and now the clock is ticking 'backwards' it's scary. Suddenly you want it slow down, you wonder if you did all you thought you would do the way you planned, you want to redo, unfortunately life offers no retake! Start camera, action... One shot!

I feel like it about my journey of life as well. I think my count up days are gone and count down has started. I need to build my memories carefully.

One such is the swing! I visited my friends place and guess what? She had this traditional chennai wala swing at home. Doesn't take me more than few seconds to hop on and start kicking the floor off with my feet to start my swing flight. It was such a fun thing to do as a kid as much it is today.

All of us have this one great life to be loved one great time in one great way. The hourglass clock may be ticking up or down.. but let's keep the show on and be aware of the "limited period offer" we have in this world. May ours be a book of beautiful tiny little flowers that spread fragrance forever after they fade as well!

Song of the day? Aane wala pal jaane wala hai... ho sakey to isme zindagi guzaro.. pal jo yeh jaanewala hai..

How true!!