Dearest Appa,
You would remember that I wore my first ever saree in Shillong when I was in my 8th standard. We had the “Vishnu Sahasranamam” chanting happening at our house that day and Kalyan, Ramesh and several others who were part of the chanting group had come over and Amma had helped me wear one of her sarees. Kalyan called me “Chinna Maami” and everyone had nice things to say about how I looked. I couldn’t wait to join work, so that I could wear a saree every day ! What an addiction :).
On your birthday this year (Jan 4th), I wore a handwoven Assam silk that Krishnan and I bought at Guwahati in Feb 2018. I have taken the money for it from Amma’s account because I am assuming it to be your gift for my 50th birthday :). I can hear you saying distinctly “Thuni la dandam podathe” (“don’t waste money on clothes”) and that’s precisely why I took the money from Amma’s account, just to hear you say that.
Both Amma and I had cold and cough that day and Amma is trying her best to look glum. We also tried to order food for lunch that day but that didn’t go off very well as the delivery boy spilled the lemon vermicelli upma that I had ordered for Amma – the container opened and all the upma fell into the bag. She happily had her dosas and was relieved that she didn’t have to eat the upma.
The first time I wore an Assam silk saree was in KV Happy Valley when I participated in a dance program and one of the teachers gave me her wedding trousseau saree which was in this golden straw colour with red threadwork on it. I fell in love with that saree and wanted to get one ever since. Have managed to buy this one last year. The motif all over are “rhinos” and the pallu has peacocks and deers as motifs.
When I was in Wesley college, Amma had given me some of her sarees and one of them was the red Assam silk saree that you had bought for her. I wore it for the annual function at college and it was a super hit. That was my second Assam silk saree. Here is a beautiful pic with Vidya, Pixie, Padma, Viji and some other classmates of mine –
Miss you so much Appa.. was remembering you today in the morning as I completed the de-cluttering exercise for my sarees. You would have been thrilled to see me do that. Krishnan and I both miss having you around during our ShikshaDaan Yatra trips the most – they are just the kind of thing that you would have enjoyed. But we do sense your presence during those trips so you are there in spirit.
Thanks for the lovely gift Appa, I have draped it twice already and will wear it many many more times.
Lots of Love,
Malu.
Saree details – Mulberry silk, bought at Artfed’s showroom “Jagaran” in Guwahati. The neckpiece is made by Adorjo, with glass beads that I had bought at Jagdamba, Hyderabad.