Parsi New Year and The "Gara " Saree

It has been some time since I have blogged. As I reflect on the  reason why I suddenly felt defeatist about the whole endeavor I find myself unable to arrive  at a conclusion. It is very easy to blame external factors when we give up on our passion or our dreams.
Often as I face circumstances which I would like to blame solely on my gender, and the various expectations that are rested solely on the shoulders of women. I find myself stopping that thought in its tracks.
I would like to acknowledge myself as a person. An entity not wrapped in gender identity and the presumptions that come with it, Living in the twentieth century in a metro I believe that we have ample opportunity to get ourselves out of a rut or a square which we think has us tied down.
It often takes a lot of introspection, conditioning is not a easy bond to break. But then, unless you try nothing is possible.
The struggle to survive and circumspect the norms as defined by society is a long one and often fought in confines of your heart and mind. The fight to freedom is an ongoing one but fought nonetheless and surely will be won.

If you ask me why sarees, I would say that they are all that which seems right for us women. The sheer diversity, beauty, grace, strength, perseverance and flexibility of a saree is what represents a woman in the true sense.

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17TH August is Parsi new year. Parsi's all throughout the country will pray for health , wealth and happiness at the same time asking for forgiveness for their sins. Parsi women will deck themselves in their finery. Bringing out their beautifully embroidered sarees. Called " Gara"

The embroidery depicts nature in a a woven form: From Peonies,Lilies, bamboo,Cherry Blossoms and other tress and flowers to beautiful birds, Pagodas and Human figurines. Each motif in this embroidery has a  central message . For example the Chrysanthemums are symbolic of spring and Joyousness.

It takes nearly nine months for an embroider to create a Gara Saree as it requires intricate embellishment on all sides. The Khaka stitch is a fine stitch that requires nimble needlework  and often leads to failing eyesight in the embroiderer, hence this stitch is also known as the forbidden stitch. 

The traditional Gara Saree is a dark hue of black, Red or Navy blue with intricate work using bright colorful Silk Threads.

The first and only Woman Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi can be also seen adorning a red Gara with cream embroidery.

The dark color's are a all time favorite but I love the light color's with sparse intricate embroidery.

The cream with read flower and Leaf motifs is elegant at the same time has a hint of casual

The modernization of an art form ensures its survival over time. This pink delicate Georgette with flower motifs is understated but impressive. Actress Sonam Kapoor is all smiles as she poses in the beauty.

If you are in the mood to go more casual then a simple light colored Saree with a Gara embroidery border will also do the trick. Actress Aishwarya Rai looks graceful in a white Saree with a Pink,Green and Cream flowers and Leaves embroidered on its border.

This white Organza beauty is simply ethereal. Thou the saree is not silk the soul of the Gara saree is intact in its beauty.

Interesting Facts and Comparisons

Parsi  embroidery actually owes its origins in China, as the Chinese are the ones who taught this art form to the Parsi women.

The traditional Gara Sree is a heirloom product and an asset whose value increases every year.

The word  “Gara “ means “saree”  in Gujarati.

A minimalist Gara Saree costs Rs 20,000 with the heavier ones costing Rs 80,000 and above.

A Memory is forever...let yours be beautiful of the icon Sridevi who is no more

I contemplated whether I should post a dedication to Sridevi. It was a contemplation because I did not want to be one of those people who would use a unfortunate incidence with a celebrity to get my two bits of mileage. Maybe I am more critical of what I post because I have been part of the news brigade There have been many times when I had to push for a certain interview for my channel despite knowing that in the rush to get the me first I was completely disregarding the basic human tendency of empathy.
Having a conscience can be quite detrimental in an era where we have become a species who seems to be more entertained with the pain and shame of people than the beauty of art. This is a sincere request to all those women who grew up admiring the beautiful Sridevi to please not give in to know the  morbid details of her death but to enjoy the fabulous work that she leaves behind her. To not tune in to a  news channel to know how she died but to tune in to  a channel which is currently paying homage to her through her movies.

If it is difficult to stay away from the knowing , then please dont judge the beauty, she was a human being like you and me . The difference being that she was an actor who had the power to make you forget for sometime all your worldly troubles and if only for a moment smile. That is why we should remember her just like that a beauty who could stop time even if it was just for those two hours in a movie theatre.

She was one of those icons who even in todays modern era kept the Sari relevant below are few styles that captured my heart.

 She looked like an angel in white which girl did not want to be Chandni

  Only a Star can drape a simple floral and yet stun you for a second

   The simple ice blue just makes your heart melt.
                                         

  The orange and red hue on the occasion of Karvachauth a look befitting to a queen

                                   
As she receives the Padmashree only the best will do...


Remember the today in a light that makes me smile,
A million shadows exist in the glitter I know,
I have fought hard to keep them away from you,
yet if they arise help me push them aside from my glow,
a memory is forever so will be mine,
a eternity held in your mind,
let it shine like the magic on the Big screen,
dont mar it with assumptions not fit for a queen.

Valentines Day Style statement

Valentines day is just around the corner, there are people who are going crazy planning something special for their loved ones and there are people who are not planning anything secretly wishing that somebody would make a grand gesture for them....sure some of them who are currently reading this are shaking their heads but then who does not want to be loved.

Considering I just posted yesterday this is too soon but then honestly I forgot about valentines day ...I cant believe it too...well the definition of romance does change after sometime especially if you have been with the same boy for fifteen years and counting......we have done the restaurant dinners, surprise flowers, jewellery,  cake and books..... This would be the fifteenth valentines day in our life and like a few post marriage ones its going to be us in our pyajamas watching a romantic film ...which is his valentines day gift considering he refuses to watch any rom coms with me any more.

This is a saree blog after all and lets get to the point. Here are a few looks that I believe will make your man look up from the phone and notice.

I am going to begin with a color which I believe does not get its due, Grey is a shade that can be so versatile and so uplifting in the right fabric thou. Silk,Net, Chiffon, lace with a slight glitter added to it can totally transform you into a ethereal beauty.

 Some of us have the husband and boyfriend who goes " dont you think this is too much " I am all for women's lib and usual would go tell him to F@%^ but considering that its a day when both of you are trying to be nice to each other.This would be a good effort. Take it up a notch with a statement pearl, Uncut Diamond necklace and you are good to go.

Summer is here and if you want to be in vogue and marry fashion right with the romance song then floral is your ticket. If your special valentine meal is a brunch or lunch then this would be the perfect choice for you.

It is Valentines and you can never go wrong with the classics, white, pinks and red are here to stay. Stick to the dreamy simple yet elegant chiffons and georgettes. In a single color with minimal work they make looking sexy so damn easy. Dont worry about your weight...chiffon is magic it just drapes you in its fairy dust and viola you are beautiful. It works on each and every body type.

Do share your pictures with a few details about you on your special day tomorrow ! would love to feature selected ones.. sarindstyle@gmail.com

Stay Happy ! Stay Alive

Back, Rant, Here it goes.

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. Somehow life always gets in the way. Or in my case it was my mid life crisis. It is very difficult to accept change and sometimes it takes you years till you finally throw in the towel and say fine. From having a I dont have time to breathe career in media to spending the whole afternoon binge watching Scrubs came a rollercoaster in different variations of the past, present and future that too in multicolor. I mean who knew there was a concept of work life balance or maybe it always existed and when you find all work options throwing it out of whack and after you have tried a lot of permutations combinations you settle in for a afternoon of scrubs, evening of  cooking vegetable biryani and a whole night staying awake with your puppy because she wants to play.

Will you believe me if I tell you that every time I begin writing I dont know what I am going to write about,,,well you shouldn't care about it. On the current note, I am wondering is the current working style adopted by companies not life friendly ? I remember having a life despite working in a news channel. A fixed shift, weekends and no being on the job 24x7 through whatsapp or calls...

Where are we going wrong, or maybe it was just me. Somehow its ok to be on call 24x7 through whast app...technology is good..but when it comes to using the same technology to make work from home as a more available option its not....Considering traveling in  any metro in India today is much more a nightmare than it was. OK so this turned into a rant....

Maybe the definition of productivity today is tad different than yesterday.....

Thou there are a few who will read this and say whats new nothing has changed it never has and I would say that it could be a possibility and I was just lucky with the kind of organizations I have worked with. Because life always comes full circle like my weight ....I am picking up right where I left nine month before , being fat. But this time Im more interested in keeping it leveled, being healthy and yes eating carbohydrates a little bit more simply because a fried samosa is more tasty than a baked one.

Thats a satin sari I purchased from Kashmir and I have teamed it with a forever21 halter because i dont fit into most of my blouses.

                                                         Me and my baby Maya

Please do share your views at sarindstyle@gmail.com I would love to hear from you...also a picture in a Sari please.

Stay happy, Stay alive !!!

Struggles of a weighty kind

I have been wanting to write about cotton sari's for sometime and today as I opened my laptop to do so the first thing that I thought was how do I look in one. All of us go through this phase when we become so conscious of how we look. I wonder if men go through the same ?. Like do the get up one fine day and feel oh my god my ass has really has gotten big. Do they spend like ten minutes in the mirror staring at it wondering if its good enough or if it is growing towards disaster.
We do, atleast I do, the bunch of fries ( which is one of my favorite foods, I mean have u taken a bite into the crunchy warm goodness of a potato fry )  makes you forget all the shit you are going through in your life for a moment got to my ass refused to let me be, not even after it was covered in yards of fabric.

This blog post is turning out to be more of a food blog today, but then " Is beraham duniya main " food is our only friend most of the time. Somebody got that right when they invented chat, there is nothing that a plate of Pani puri cannot fix.

Coming back to my ass, so depression hit when I was getting into a blouse and the button broke. I think every woman has a moment where she realizes that she can no longer say that its not fat its just healthy or its not that bad. For me the moment came yesterday when I was trying to get into a blouse and the button broke. The moment had come and mentally I gave a sad teary farewell to my samosas and french fries.

                                                              I dared to take a close up

I picked another blouse and it fit ! (Thank God ! ) though it was little tight ( the blouse used to be lose  I started draping the saree and she just refused to be my friend a silk batique I was hoping she would hide the flab which she usually does but today she was supporting my worst enemy weight. The waist refused to hide and the ass just seemed to grow into a entity of its own.

Ten minutes and I finished draping the saree, I looked into the mirror and smiled, A saree is a friend that never lets you down, it began as a struggle but later she gave in, somehow she hid all the ugly in flows of silk and made the ugly beautiful.

                                              A long shot to make me feel better

In a world where it is so easy to give in to the ugly side, as the crusaders of the saree we know how forgiving the saree can be, maybe next time somebody or something  shows us their ugly side we wrap it in the flowing silk of our goodness. Because nothing feels good as pure silk.

When people call you selfe queen for a reason

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Summer frazzle, weight wars and wedding Sari's

The heat wave continues to take its toll, thou the rain gods did play a little football last week and we experienced a little relief , it's quite an experience when the perfume of fresh earth waft's though the the air, intoxicating you with it scent of freshness. But that was just a teaser and now we are back to being jailed by the heat and thanking our stars for aircon.

This week has been quite a ride, everyone of us irrespective of where we are or what we do constantly seem to question our place in this universe. Despite our live's being much better than majority of our parents and half of the country which struggles with drought, poverty and basically denial of some fundamental rights. Our life revolves around our career, money and ofcourse our weight.

I mean there is no single fact that can get a woman depressed than the size of her waist and the ability or inability to fit in that pair of jeans or dress. Not to imagine the very insensitive nature of our men who how much ever they deny that looks or to that matter thighs dont matter ( which they do in the right proportion ) care very much about how we look in the mirror.

 It is as big a problem as your bank balance and frankly the later is much easier to deal with than this.
For me I am back to struggling with the situation yes I am 6 kilos excess and I know that the only thing that is going to do something about it is me. Currently the universe is conspiring  for me to remain fat. The zumba class I wanted to take is shut for the holidays and the summer is not helping my craving for ice cream. There are some life questions that I need to answer and thinking about philosophy makes you really hungry.

So considering I have not been able to conquer my inner demons, rice and ice cream are still my stepsisters. Hence there are two summer weddings to which I cant wear chiffon because that would just not be fair to the sexy sari. Hence contemplating what will make me look less fat, wont kill me in this heat and is wedding worthy !

I got gifted a soft silk sari during my wedding and it has been my go to for summer weddings, when the weight scale tips in a direction which I unconsciously deny to myself. Below are some gorgeous silk's belonging to Vaishu Collections. -

This is a Soft Silk, Kanchi Pattu Sari _ I simply love the Green with the Deer and Lion Motif simply perfect for attending a morning or afternoon wedding

Soft silk Kanchi Pattu Sari_ I cant talk about wedding and not feature a red..this is a tomato red the horse, panther motifs are just sensational...The brilliant part about this Sari is you can wear silver jewelry with it !

A antique Silver Choker, who says if you want to look like royalty you only have to wear gold or diamonds.




The next two sarees that  I have featured are Kuppadam Pattu Sari's I love them for their bold colors and thread work, these Sari's are also easy to carry and lighter than your standard Kanjivaram. Just be careful what color you choose for yourself if you are short in height like me. Broad Borders are a big no no. My personal favorite is the dark blue...though I would have to team it with a contrast blouse to cut the monotony of color because of my height.

If you dont want to want heavy jewelery in this heat, these Sari's are brilliant because they would make you sparkle without any need of added effect !

All these beautiful sari's are available at :

WhatsApp: 9703066686 Payment mode:OnlineTransfer /Paytm / PayPal Shipping- worldwide* www.facebook.com/vaishucollections
Instagram _ @vaishucollections

Mother's Day Special - Special Feature

Mother's Day is around the corner, one day when we find some time from our busy schedules to thank the woman for whom the world begins with her child and ends with it.
We may be in the twentieth century but even today when your kid buys you a sari the pride and love the six yards of cloth brings to your heart is immeasurable. The Sari has so many distinct personalities, a variety of colors and combinations which are endless, this is the precise reason why the garment will never go out of style, where will you find a piece of clothing which can so perfectly reflect not only your personality but also your mood.

Summer is here and hence I continue to present collections which are apt for this weather. If you are thinking about gifting a sari this mother's day buy her something that is simple, classy and light,  so that instead of keeping it away till the weather permits, she can wear it pronto.

Recently I was introduced to the cotton -  Jute  sari and I must say I was floored. The combination of both these threads gives birth to a ensemble which makes " simple is beautiful " a fact alive right in front of your eyes. The boutique which presents this collection is called

The owner Kalpana Madhani is a lovely woman who knows her color combinations and fabric. What I loved about her collection is the simplicity which was woven with  finesse. It immediately uplifted the sari giving it a very rich look. The pink with a shimmer of sliver just won my heart I could totally envision myself in it with a string of pearls just perfect.

The aqua blue with hot pink is another classic which caught my eye, the color combination is very interesting and can be worn both as office wear and with the right accessories on a special occasion too.  The weavers who work with Kalpana are from Calcutta and are masters in the art, which reflects in the final product.

I cannot do a mother's day summer special and not feature a white, this Jamdani is an absolute treasure with its intricate floral weave  and pristine look, On a hot summer day this could not be more perfect.

What I loved about the studio is that it had something for each one from the subtle to the slightly experimental there was a sari for one and all. Not to mention the prices which were more than reasonable !!

Kalpana Madhani in one of her creations

This mothers day if you want something special for your mother buy her a Sari which will be a cool breeze in the heat of summer, much like your love for her.

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