#debsaristories

Pathi-Deb is fond of driving. simply said. Over the years I figured out arguing with him on this topic isn't worth my energy. Although I have my own WT#/#&$& moments when we step out for groceries and end up 200 miles farther🙄🙄! I was recently asked. You guys drive ten hours one way, only to spend an hour at the destination.. why? Hmmm. I said.

All of us know we are born to die. But, do we rush to die? We dont! If destination is all that matters for a journey then why not plan to die quickly?! On the contrary we take time to enjoy the journey (life), we brag, we drag, we want to see our kids marriage and grandkids' marriage and even great grandkids' marriage. Don't we? We dont plan to budge. Nah nah.

I think most often people miss the fun of journey in their quest for that perfect destination. By the time they realize, the journey and destination are both worthless! Cant be redone. Whats constant is the time, not the distance not the journey neither the destination. Take time to try the offbeat paths, stop by to walk the dusty road. Smell the soil and the stink. Look at the sky or cattle grazing... take time to enjoy the gift of life, for we all have our timers counting down, for the duration of our physical presence is negligible compared to the universe existence!

Ma and I went for a drive to look around amidst the rainy weather. Stopped by to enjoy the final week of fall colors before they reach their destination. Life is beautiful by default, unless we muddy and mess it up. Btw can anyone knowledgeable let me know if this looks like handwoven benarasi??

#debsaristories #kanchirevival

Kanchi revival - 40 year old silk sari that belonged to paternal grandma, sari just as old as my mom's marriage. I was 3 when grandma left for better world so this is my treasure from her! Mein aur mere posts aqsar yeh baatein karte.. ki tum chalte to kitna acha hota, tumhare comment padke mein kitna hansti, tumhare likes dekhke mein kitni khush hothi... tum chalte to aisa hotha, tum chalte to waisa hotha.. par kambaqt tu to chali hi nahi.. ulta theater se hi nikal gayi!! 😩😩
If you pay attention each post is like a movie, with action drama, photography, lyrics, dialogues, foreign locales(mannn Swiss Alps, Kashmir, Leh .. kahaan kahaam shooting nahin kiye!) , awesome heroine and sometime awesome beyond the scenes crew (for those leherati pallus, for the back pose, side pose, sleeping on the tree branch pose, looking at sun moon pose, the sexy pose, the swag pose, the homely look pose.. endless list) and most importantly COSTUME! But not all movies are superhit. Some movies errrrr posts have every masala ingredient to make it superhit but somehow the formula doesnt work and the film. 🌟 some go flat and out of the news feed in few minutes if not seconds... like "Yamla pagla deewana remake". 🙄🙄 🌟Posts like mine are "aaya ram gaya ram".. patha bhi nahi chalta.. its gone before you wink! 🤣🤣 🌟 same formula doesn't work for two consecutive movies (your own or copied) ! For once one of my posts got some attention and comments, so tried something on those lines again including good photography, saree etc.. but nope.. the next few releases fell flat, utter flop ! Oh ! Dont even ask me about the time and effort to recover from those loses! 🤢🤢 🌟Some movies errr posts may look simple and not so catchy but somehow is superhit with the audience.. the art film types.. movies like "Lootera, Bhadhai ho etc" 👰🤰🤱 🌟Some movies are purely superhit for the talented heroines and some are viral for their impactful and compelling storyline... "Queen, Fashion, Padmavat" etc.💃👸 I do spend time pausing through each of these posts wondering what made it a superhit or not so much .. But much like Bollywood no one knows what works for the audience end of day until after the movie releases and box office collections show up! Well, for the all-in-one crew that each one of us are, hats off for our immense enthusiasm and showcase of obvious and hidden talents! 🤗This show MUST go on for sure!! Picture abhi baaki hai guru!🌟 Lets see if i can recover my past loses from this one atleast! 😋😋

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #benarasi

Was in mood for a no-reason-photoshoot
Wedding anniversary around the corner but looks like I won't be able to drape saree on that day, so took out the benarasi saree which I wore only once before! The cream with gold work always speaks class, the lucky pick being the partly pallu purple pleats! Ma's (mil) choice for me. The california wildfire season left lots of destruction and devastation behind us.. while we cannot do much to fix it, prayers and help certainly are the least. The air quality and smoke kept many indoors.. schools closed, events canceled, disruption to normal life.. and a lot of emphasis to ensure people remain in good health. Which is btw the right thing to do.. but then i just checked the air quality index for major cities in India.. its similar if not worse.. but our lives there never stopped.. kids grow up in that atmosphere not knowing what it means to their health long term.. while we did not know about such things growing up, it did not affect us.. now that we know such things, we worry! Not sure what is better.. to know or not to know! After hiatus ma on duty for photography today. Good job ma!! 🤗💖🤗💖

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon Its the festival of light, literally and generally too! The light that could destroy evil thoughts from the narakasura within us, the light that could destroy the division amongst humans (when people get picky on how their culture celebrates Diwali a certain time a certain way.. i am rolling my eyes.. could we not divide anymore? Can we all just blur some lines and stay happy?) I have a range of days to celebrate Diwali starting from whenever the air is festive to whenever i am generally exhausted.. which could be a three to four day period usually. During this time i am happy, super happy, and smile a lot.. i dont mind spreading the smiley virus to others. I guess there isnt a vaccination to stop that yet. Light and let live! On a tired working day, i pulled my best spirit to do a rangoli as much best possible.. ye it could have been better but.. bura na mano Diwali hai!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon

Georgette benarasi is certainly a wardrobe staple for saree lovers. This is one such.. although more on subtle side.. with the grey and silver combo.

To those drivers that zip zash past me and speed up.only to screech break in the next red signal.. chill.. why rush to destination when you could enjoy the journey..

Reminds me of the song .. "agle mod pe mauth khadi hai.. marne ki bhi kya jaldi hai.. " So true! I don't know why some people dont get it.. sigh 🤔🤔

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 #revivevenkatagiri

Venkatagiri was very popular during my childhood. It was the most valued respected Andhra weave (after Gadwal I suppose) at the time.. unfortunately as time passed by, its cousins like kalamkari, mangalagiri, uppada, gadwal, golabomma, ikat, chirala cotton, ponduru khadi etc etc gained more popularity leaving it a non existent candidate in the list of "staple sarees". I feel bad for it. I used to love the double sided zari venkatagiri sarees neatly wrapped over old newspaper. The sound and hustle was amazing always. When amma asked what i wanted her to get for me, the answer was simple. White venkatagiri saree with broad zari borders in red on both sides. Amma couldnt find the exact combo, so got this instead. Quite close. I love the fine checkered teeny tiny zari weaves all over the sari. I wish venkatagiri picks up more in the coming years... perhaps people like us can make it happen, just like how we brought back ilkals, kalamkaris, bhujodis, begumpuris to life!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 Finally, even the extended puja celebrations are coming to a wrap. Ma is truly on her way back to regular business and so are we. Monday is almost here! I wish everyone and their dear ones best of everything in life! I truly enjoyed the little pleasures last few days, just watching smiles, sarees and people spending time forgetting all usual worries of life gives motivation and fresh energy! Positivity and optimism has its own magic. World runs on it and needs more of it. Signing off the pujo season in my first khadi saree. . In pujo combo. When you love something very much, you should have more of it. Thats why the sheuli blouse is again my choice today.. such versatility! Love u all. Ah, if pujo is wrapping up Diwali cant be far away!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 Shared lots of "pujo" pics so sharing few "peth pujo" pics! Kolkata . . while you are enjoying real phuchkas there, i am enjoying "diet puchkas" by posing with the background. Sigh! Que sera sera! But this beautiful pale rose pink jamdani saree cheered me up!!💖🤗💖 first time.. faux noodle strap blouse for those like me who dont dare much!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 #shubhobijoya

I guess i have been spamming with posts from the past few days.. bear with me for couple of more days as Ma leaves back to her hubby's place.. over the weekend. Today is dashami and actual boron and visarjan. I do it on the ritual day and later do visit other pandals in the city for more glimpses of ma. Dance in front of her is such an amazing feeling. I hope Ma understands how much we love her ❤❤ I am usually private and dont share much about family but today i am sharing my bestie's pic too along with mine. My bestie is none other than my Mil. My ma. May your moms' blessings always guide you in the right path of contentment, peace and happiness Ashche bochor abar hobe, bochor bochor abar jobe, bolo dugga maai ki joiiiiiii

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018

Navami again! This monochrome checks kanji was in wishlist for couple of years and then in closet for couple of years! I fell for its subtlety! Nope, after dreaming 360 times a day for 360 days these 5 days should not fly so fast, but oh well, truth is its almost time for dashami and see off. I don't like that part when my heart is so heavy I feel it in my stomach. Be it Dugga ma or my own moms the 'Bye ma' moment is never comprehendable. Let me deal with it when I get there, for now keep calm and pujo on.

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 Three sari day actually, but since i posted the first one already, posting the other two now.

1. #durgashtami morning.. Check my other post from earlier today. 🤗
2. Durgashtami evening was time for kanchi with my tweet-y blouse
3. Durgashtami midnight.. sandhi pujo the transition tme between ashtami and navami was red linen with sheuli blouse... of course sheuli or parijatam is Shiva favorite flower and blooms midnight through early hours of the day. Fond memories of me gently sweeping the trees branches so the flowers could fall topsy of the ground and i could pick them and make a garland. General thumb rule - flowers inside the compound wall are mine, outside the wall can be picked by others in the neighborhood. Silly me. Then and now. Ah the smell of parijatham!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018

Shubho navami! I had a beautiful magenta kanchi cotton salwar kameez for diwali when I was 11. I could not find something similar later. Thus began my search for the soul hugging kanchi cotton sari. Draped the soulmate today and felt love hugs from the fabric! The wide double sided border is actually intricate thread woven giving it zari look, especially with the tiny temples adorning it

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018

💥💥 Yaa Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Shakti Roopen Sansthita, Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namo Namah 💥💥


This saree and blouse combo were awaiting for a year, just for this perfect occasion. Last October, as soon as I saw this turmeric yellow beauty saree, I knew this would be my #durgashtami saree this year, along with the kala ghoda blouse.
Bhadralok had plans to go to work, but the moment he saw me getting ready, he changed his mind to come to pujo pandal instead. Shobh i Ma r ashirbad! Of all roop of ma, I "love" shakti. Strength doesn't always mean demonstration of power, strength means resilience Strength isn't crushing the weak, strength is in kindness and humility despite power Strength isn't about throwing off weight, strength is in gentleness to help the less privileged Strength isn't always in destruction, strength is in ability to give birth to life Wishing every durga on the planet the best of her strengths, everyday is victory for the shakti in us!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Bhakti Roopen Sansthita Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namo Namah 💥🙏Shubho shashti!!! 🙏💥

Started my #pujo2018 with an authentic dhakai muslin jamdani sari in traditional cllor combination. Some things are made classy and classic, they just be let alone that way. Teamed with a beautiful blouse custom designed by a designer turned friend turned sister! ❤ The bhadralok had been twiddling the camera from past few days, knowing his 'duty' would soon begin. Its like taking out your toolbox, oiling and keeping it ready for business. He never tires taking puja pandal pics although its not the same during non-pujo days 😏😏 Ma in the background is like her saying "I've got your back dear, dont worry" Which is true pretty much in life. She watches and guides us as needed, so celebrating her parental home visit of course should be the best days of her life! Its on us!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon Panchami. Some sarees go into hibernation only to revive like a lightening! The red benarasi khaddi georgette and net saree is one such! I teamed it with maharani blouse to dress it up! Repeat saree from a few years ago pujo.. its unfaur to buy and not to repeat especially when the sarees arent so Inexpensive and also wearing just once may not always justify the effort that went into creating it!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon Long time since i penned... saris and stories go together. Since sari paused, story waited too. Kicking off the navrathri bhajan and golu time in kanchi saree with a moghra jasmine embroidered blouse. Pujo eshe geche! That moment that bangalis around the world wait for every year.

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Matri Roopen Sansthita Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namas Tasyai Namo Namah

I am not born bengali, neither i lived in those cities, but after marrying the bhadralok, every mahalaya in the last few years especially i wake up to listen burendra bhadra rendering of mahalaya. This year being special, with both sets of parents here.. my dad was wondering why the otherwise sleepy sheepish daughter woke up early and switched on YouTube early morning. He asked what pujas are to be performed in the coming days (after hearing pujo eshe geche million times he thought it meant more religious stuff). I paused. Took deep breath. I said not many actually. Its time for celebrations, no kitchen work, no any work, just laughter. Its about people, nostalgia, memories and food. I dont think it even remotely sounded like "puja" to my Telugu brahmana dad :) He saud, thats it? I said "pretty much". But then its hard to explain that devotion is in daak r awaj, shankha er goonj, the shada lal paar, sindoor, alta, bhog, adda, pushpanjali, mishti, dhunuchi naach...etc etc. One could experience connect with gid without reciting hymns too. One needs to find love amidst chsis, that is devotion. So here we are , all geared up for amma nanna first pujo with us since my marriage. Its a wish come true for me. Dugga dugga ❤

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon Its a 100! The temperature soared to 104F I mean! What better way to celebrate than draping a soothing multicolored gamcha sari and visiting the temple in the evening

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon No.3 #duppattabanisari It dawned upon me! Happiness is a personal choice. One can have everything and 'choose' to remain unhappy whereas one can have nothing and 'choose' to be happy Seen here is a long long long time wish come true. The 'hum dil de chuke sanam' blue sari was my dream. my search never was successful until last weekend i laid my eyes on this turquoise blue dupatta. Building on my recent eureka moment of teaming two dupattas as one sari, i teamed the turquoise blue dupatta with another benarasi dupatta to create today's sari. Works for now!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #benarasi

Long time dream. Authentic pale pink handwoven cutwork benarasi sari. Some matches are made in heaven. This blouse and saree are internet couple .. much like other couples these days! My pic is terrible and does no justice to that unbelievably beautiful handcrafted creation ao adding just the saree pic too.

#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.