The Saree creates a bond with its weft and warp uniting women. Bring on the Durga Pujoooo

Warp and weft of the Saree…. Elsie Gabriel.

In Bengal, the Durgo pujo festival binds the community and…. the supreme piece of garment… the Saree creates a bond with its weft and warp uniting women of all ages during the ten days of Durga pujo. And in Mumbai,right now the Saree fever is on.... 

‘Oree baba… I need my matching blouse’, has now evolved to  ‘aarrrre baba now I need my designer readymade blouse, every day should be different and brand new…..’…there’s always a rush and fuss, and giddiness and laughter..dressing up for Durga puja..am glad I have a Bengali community here in Mumbai which keeps all this humdrum alive and kicking….

I can hear the Dholl bringing on the Durga Puja here in Mumbai and along with it the sarees on display are a treat to the eyes. Of course coming from West Bengal ,the saree is nothing new for me, but has it stayed with me..Yes!!

I recall wearing Mothers saree’s during my childhood days, such delicate pieces. Of course there were some starched crisp cotton shutii ones too, she wore a different one every day to school during her entire teaching career..imagine the collection she had… Then I remember college days sharing all my bong friends ‘bondhu’s’ saree’s, being careful not to tread on them….trying to hold on for dear life while attending college classes on ‘Saree’ days were blissfully crazzyyy…I also remember winning the June Rose one summer..in a sareee!!!

A Saree depicts the beauty of an Indian woman. But when you see a Bengali woman dressed in a Bengali saree..uree baba…the world spins around her and all those around her….Tant, Tasar, Muga silks, Jamdani silks, Bhagalpuri silks, Benarsi, Katha stich worked saree’s, pure cottons, ever so fragile and stiff Tangail and Dhakha,,not to forget the pure silks, Shantipur cotton and the stories written all over the Baluchori saree’s…..visiting the pandals I use my time wisely to keep reading the stories off the sarees………..most captivating…..,

The pure white tant saree with sindoor red border brings out the beauty in every Bengali woman.The weft is referred to as baana or bun-na, in Bengali it is called shoota, the weft and warp of life comes alive in sarees. The weft and warp of the saree will stay in my heart forever, even far away from home!!! It is this weft and warp of life which is called the journey of life, keep weaving....with strength and colour.

 I can’t wait to wear mine!