The first saree I purchased on my own – my first job, and my hard earned money.
This is the time when we were preparing for my Bhaiya’s wedding. Circa 2011. Since I was in Bangalore and my mum has always liked southern silks, I was the designated saree purchaser for the affair. Nalli was like my weekend home. I’d leave early on saturdays to avoid mall-going traffic, spend all day in Nalli (not complaining, really) and buy a certain number of sarees. My mum wanted sarees not only for her bahu, but had also decided to give silk sarees to all attendees. That made the number of silk sarees being bought exceptionally high and hence the purchase began in advance.
And amidst all this work (:D) you couldn’t really expect me to not fall for sarees for me or mom, could you? I was like a kid in a candy store. Being the mom-sicle that I am, couldn’t help buying sarees for her as well.
There was this Georgette saree in a deep puce, with black thread work and black sequins; which I knew my mum wouldn’t like. I didn’t really love it either, because it is not according to my usual taste. Still, I was somehow drawn to it. I don’t know why I just couldn’t leave it there when there were so many more gorgeous options there. No idea. But, I ended up buying it despite liking other sarees much more; and decided to keep it for myself. All my sarees before then were either mum’s or bought by her for me to wear at some function and then she’d take it back and readjust the blouse for her size. This, was the first saree for myself, bought by me from my hard earned money. I was so proud. Not only of buying this saree, but also for making my contribution and helping my parents in my brother’s wedding.
I wore it first to a friend’s wedding, and later to Women’s day celebrations in office (It might have been a bit much for office, but I was too naive to realise that and honestly this was the only saree I had).
Even though I don’t really like it much, I still have the saree. It has that emotion of flying free, of growing up, of being self-dependent, of being a support for my parents when they needed me. The emotions attached to this one are so complex and so sweet that I can’t help smiling when I see this saree or the pictures (I so wish I actually liked the saree I’m so emotional about, but well I’m weird :P) I don’t know when I’ll wear it again but I do know that this one will always remain special.