My father’s profession required my parents to live in coffee estates. There were no schools around,so I didn’t get an opportunity to live with my parents during my early schooling days. So my early schooling days were in different places in different environments. I was a short and plump kid. People around me viewed me as an ugly duckling; dark, short and fat. Even called me by that name. It had a big influence on my childhood. One day, My mother took a decision to get a home so that my brother and I could stay with her during our schooling.

I started living with my mom. I didn’t really bother to look in the mirror to evaluate my looks as my early childhood had a big influence on how I look. Completed my graduation; Got married into a family where every one is so very fair skinned.

I was a new bride; I used to over hear conversations like
Question: ” Is the bride fair” (“Hudugi bellagidala?” )
Answer: “No, she is bit dark” (“illa, Swalpa kappu” )

So my wardrobe recommended by people used to have more of whites, creams, pastel shades; all dark colours were taboo; black was black listed . When you are new bride , free advices are plenty.
Of course, my dear husband never really cared for colour of the skin, in fact he loves brown, dark skin shades. But, no amount of him telling me the same helped me. He has a nice way to put it across – “nature is colourful and animals are all in different colours. If we can appreciate them in all colours, why not people?” I always thought he had no choice but to say so, as I am part of his life.

One day my dearest friend gifted me a Dark maroon saree and said I would look great in it. I was too hesitant to wear it. But when I wore it, the complements flew in. My friend gifted me blue, purple, black just to boost my confidence. And I loved wearing different colours.

Rest was history. Now, my wardrobe is full of reds, maroons, greens, blues, purples, blacks… You name it, I have it. Yeh! See my profile pic, I am in Red. And its all thanks to my dearest friend.
In fact I had stopped buying cream colour for quite sometime. I bought this saree in remembrance of my mom. I will tell that story some other time.

Now, when I enter a saree shop, the shop keeper tells me “Ma’am, you are fair; you can wear any colour!” I just smile. FAIR to me is “TREATING PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT; NO DISCRIMINATION”

Next time someone tells you anything negative about your looks, JUST IGNORE! You are beautiful as you are. Be kind , Stay beautiful!

Saroja , so here is the story on Shwetha Shymala
‪#‎100Sareepact‬# Saree 7:-An initiative to promote Indy Style of dressing