My Qissaa
The story travels back 32 years when my love affair with Indian textiles began. My ma marched me down to Dakshinapan and layered my wardrobe with the Indian idiom. My wedding trousseau was resplendent with the colours and textures of India. Kanjivaram, Bomkai, Sambalpuri, Pochampalli, Maheswari, Chanderi, Patola, Bandhani,Leheriya, Zardozi, Kantha, Dhakai, Baluchari, Gadhwal, Mysore crepe, Assamese Munga, Benarasi, Jamdani, Tussars. I have them all. I daresay the affair has gained more passion with time. I am one of a dying breed who unabashedly wears the six yards – EVERYWHERE!

This is my Ma’s wedding Benarasi in real gold. I wore it for my Ashirwad as did my sister. Also, here’s Ma in the same Sari 60 years ago.
The sari was very fragile and was coming apart when my sister wore it. Remains a memory wrapped in mulmul at the bottom of my Ma’s cupboard!