The Saree - II 
July 14th, 2008 | by Gopa
It appears from the comments on my last post that I have been misunderstood by some. Indeed, I love wearing the saree, as do most women. On certain occasions my (female) colleagues and I ‘conspire’ to wear the saree and even if 50% of us manage to wear it on the appointed day, we consider the venture a success. Luckily, unlike the dhoti, the saree is included in the list of formal clothes that we are allowed to wear to office.
Sadly, in some organizations here (in a metro city like Kolkata!), it is the only permissible dress for women employees. A friend was strictly instructed to that effect when she joined a college as a lecturer. Apparently, it helps to distinguish teachers from students!
Worse still, we have schools where the saree is the prescribed uniform for students. I watch with sympathy as young girls carry off five metres of cloth along with a heavy school bag and other things. At an age when they should be free to hop, skip and run around, isn’t it criminal to inhibit their movement with the garb of tradition?
I know women who swear by the saree. They vehemently deny that it restricts movement in any way. And true enough, when I look around me, in public places, on the roads, inside buses and local trains, I see lots of sarees, worn as if it is the most comfortable dress in the world. Imagine a well-loved national dress that needs - as Umbrella 22 has said – several safety pins to keep it in place!
I agree with all of you who said that the saree is a beautiful and elegant dress. It is my favourite party wear. Much as I like to flaunt my sarees, I also love to gaze at others’ sarees and marvel at the change in their looks. But most of all, I like to watch little girls in colourful sarees on Saraswati puja day – shy smiles on their little faces, too conscious of their appearances and an amusing change in their gait.
13 Responses to “The Saree - II”
By Muktadhara on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
i too am against gals wearing saree to schools…but if a teacher is asked to wear a saree its okay i think …in our country where people are judged by what they wear ….a student will never look upto a teacher wearing denims to school or college …i
By Idle Mind on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
Regards ur comment, I was amused … girls wooing boys … now that has to be exception. Not always proves the rule, but doesn’t disprove either!! howz that?
By Idle Mind on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
Only this morning, one of my non-Bengali colleague smartly suggested that saree is the most uncomfortable attire (for its over-exposure of body)! I wasn’t quite against it. In the West, ppl dislike sarees, just ‘coz they think it is ‘vulgar’ as it exposes
By Vio Sno on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
You remind me of my own school days. We had to wear ‘half saree’during the final two years of my school. Oh my, I fret those days. Wearing it is relatively easier and quicker than the normal saree though.
By Sonia Sonia on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
Saree is preferred over western attire in most schools and colleges for teachers because it generates a certain degree of respect and seriousness…..students will not take her at face value, for she will appear stricter, not someone u can fool around wit
By savita on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
Sari bin no nari….. Lovely post.But now a days Sari had lost all its charm as women have started to wear them to expose their body more. Wearing a 5m saree with a 30cm blouse make no sense.
By A Banerji on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
i can count on finger as to how many times i have worn them… well, when women put on a saree they look elegant and graceful…i love wearing saree but it needs and suitabble ocassion…probably a marriage of a friend or relative.
By Rakhi on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
you have rapped up the saree tale in such beautiful elegance….absolutely fantastic…..wishes my friend…
By Akruti S.r on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
wonderful post. well you know what just today i was in two minds whether i should wear a saree for a upcoming function. well i am yet to find the confidence to wear it. i am afraid will make a fool of myself in front of all my relatives if i don’t carry i
By Vineth Kumar on Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
nice blog. i have rated five star for your blog. please visit my blog also…
By Arnie on Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
ok, ok, i agree that u will not cut a "sari" figure when u wear a sorry…
By . Rashmi on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
Yes sarees are really elegant and graceful..the only thing is it takes time to wear them properly..hence I now wear them only for occassions & functions…
By Dr Raj on Jul 20, 2008 | Reply
I’ve heard of foreigners commenting that the sari is sensuous, provocative, sometimes revealing…but when u grow up seeing ur mom wearing a sari, the last words ur going to associate with it r those! My wife struggles with the sari, to make the right imp