The other day I posted a photo on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXJnUcyjFV6/?taken-by=phantom_giggler
Yes, that is me, all glammed up for an engagement party we attended.
Aside from all the lovely compliments I received, someone mentioned the colour of the saree, and how lovely it was.
I replied that the story of my saree could be a post of it’s own so here goes!
Way back, before the days of me planning to get married, my family went to Kenya to to attend a wedding. It was the wedding of my cousin, my mum’s niece. My dear maternal grandma was still around at that time, and she decided to open one of her trunks (a special occasion indeed! Nanima’s Sandookh(trunk) contained some beautiful treasures!) to gift her granddaughters.
She pulled out some plain chiffon lengths. They were 6-metre sarees, of a quality that is not seen nowadays. One was black, and one was a lurid orangey/peachy colour, Kind of like this . Add a bit more fluorescent orange to it and you get the picture/colour?
Well, my other cousin chose the black one, and left me sitting with my sweet smiling grandma, and a fluorescent saree. I was never one to complain, or to get my way, if it meant conflict, so I gratefully took the fabric, hugging my darling Nanima too.
Little did I know that I wouldn’t see her after this trip, as she passed away. I handed the saree to my mum for safe-keeping. Even she giggled a little, looking at the colour!
Fast forward to my wedding planning, and shopping in India. I had my wedding outfit planned in my head, and we had spoken to a tailor about that. WE had bought two lengths of good quality chiffon in black and a pale gold, which I was getting embroidered so I had some personalised sarees. After choosing the patterns, my mum flung something else on the shop counter.
Now to set the scene, shopping in India is a whole other world. If you are from a rich family, or from abroad, it is pretty cool. Basically you get treated like royalty! There will be outfits, fabrics and accessories that materialise from God knows where, if they know you are going to buy! The boys in the shop are experts at tying sarees, and becoming live mannequins too, so if you want to know what something would look like, you need no mirror, just your eyes!
You have sofas to sit and lounge on, cold drinks are brought for you at your request, or a cup of chai. and if you were spending enough, and coming in regularly enough, there was food too! It is wonderful to come into an air-conditioned shop after the heat of the Delhi summer, and to have refreshments waiting, bliss! ( The family at this shop were lovely! They even invited us to their home for dinner, and took us out! Yes, we did spend quite a bit with them!)
Anyway, at this particular shop, where we spent the most of our time, and money, mum decided to bust out the orange saree! I had almost forgotten about it, but the colour brought the memory of who gave it to me flooding back. I looked at mum and felt a little teary. I wanted to have something like this from Nanima to remember her, but for the life of me, I wasn’t going to wear that colour!
Mum asked the man what he could do with this, expecting him to show us some interesting designs of embroidery that would make it more acceptable to me to wear. He looked at it, looked at us and said “Good quality chiffon. Why don’t you dye it?”
Dye it!
What a great idea! Why hadn’t we even thought of that? That meant I could still have the fabric from my Nanima, and I would have a saree that I could wear happily too!
My Hubby Dearest, hubby-to-be at the time, had one request, when I had asked him if there was anything I should buy, clothes wise. A dark blue saree.
So the choice of colour was made! We then decided on a same colour flora sequinned pattern which was hand sewn and the saree above was created!
It has been 16 year since that was made for me, and I have worn it on and off. Each time I do, I remember Nanima.
When my mum saw the photo she said ” That saree was nice, which one is that? When did you get it?” I answered her in disbelief! “Mother, can you not remember? Nani’s orange monstrosity?? We dyed it, didn’t we?”
Then it came back to her. She was happy to see me still wearing it too. (Glad it still fit me, to be honest!)
So there you have it, the story of my Nani’s saree!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Aug 05, 2017 @ 16:31:56
What a sweet story! I definitely would not have wanted to wear orange either– does it flatter anyone?! And, I love that color blue; you look gorgeous in it! It’s so lovely that you get to cherish and enjoy a piece of your grandmother. 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 18:52:06
Thank you Becca! Yes I’m lucky to have this momento and story 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 15:16:20
Absolutely fabulous tale and how recycling has left you with a brilliant piece of memorabilia, still functional now and with a funny story behind it from someone you clearly loved. Great choice of colour too; you look stunning in it 🙂 #GaTu x
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 18:51:25
Thank you Gary! See… there’s a story in everything! #GaTu
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 20:00:04
Haha, thing is I don’t need new stories until I’ve developed the backlog!! I have stories being created all the time and that’s what’s causing me problems lol
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 20:55:15
I totally get you! I have at least another 3 that are started and not anywhere near complete!
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Aug 06, 2017 @ 12:14:47
Terrible this writing solo lark when all you need is another in the same boat to give you a kick up the proverbial! I’ve actually completed two. One is awaiting editing and is book one of my main project, one is at a publisher awaiting rejection and then there’s the one I so need to finish this month!!!
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Aug 06, 2017 @ 13:04:33
You can do it!!!!!!!
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Aug 06, 2017 @ 14:04:37
Yes I can 🙂
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Aug 06, 2017 @ 14:13:25
😁
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 14:30:20
What an awesome story! I love that it still fits you. It’s beautiful! You know, Ritu that story would make an awesome chidren’s book. 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 18:48:43
Thank you! And do you think so? What, like a picture book? X
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 14:02:51
The color truly is amazing, but the story is even better. Your reaction to accepting the gift from you grandmother is beautiful. Even though you didn’t love the color, you loved the woman, and the heart that offered it to you. That’s true grace. Thank you for sharing the story.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 14:06:12
Thank you so much Angela. It’s so special to me. I only hope my own daughter treasures memories like these too xx
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:43:32
That colour is absolutely gorgeous on you!! And what a lovely story behind it- I love when you such wonderful memories attached to a piece, it makes it all the more special when you wear it!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:55:37
Thank you so much. It does indeed make it all the more special 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:42:38
Such an incredibly touching story. I love that you’re still able to wear it. The color is stunning on you.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:55:03
Thank you Christine. It was obviously meant to be .. just in a different colour and with memories attached 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:30:05
So its somewhat like the ugly duckling…. if the duckling were an orange monstrosity of a saree and instead of growing into a swan, an ingenious tailor dyes it into a more aesthetic regaleness…. Nice story The saree is beautiful and I am sure even at the height of its neon orangeness you would have worn it quite well (provided we all wore shades to avoid being dazzled by your awesomeness…Ha)
Cheers
~B
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:31:39
Ha ha lol! I love your ugly duckling comparison!! And you would indeed have needed shades had it stayed it’s original colour!!!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 12:14:32
That is such a lovely story Sis, you look abosilutely gorgeous in it too. What a lovely gift your Nani gave you, and something that will be handed down the generations and treasured 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 12:23:52
Absolutely sis! 😍blessed to have things like This as well as memories xxx
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 12:44:09
💖💖💖
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 11:49:20
That is a beautiful saree and such a happy ending for a crazy color. It’s so sad to lose our grandparents but so good to remember precious stories of their love and generosity. You look lovely!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 12:19:16
Thank you so much 😍 memories mean more to me than anything 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:30:08
I love the saree. Thanks for sharing a sweet memory. 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:43:34
Thank you for reading Steffi ×
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:09:11
That’s a beautiful story behind a gorgeous sari! And what a priceless treasure it is too! All thanks to the miracle of dye and friendly Indian shopkeepers! 😉
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:42:38
Thank you so much! And you’re so right! In my WIP I am just starting to use my Delhi shopping experience as a bit of inspiration!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:56:29
Well it’s wonderful how we share such a beautiful bond with our grandparents ,,their presents are so special😊
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:41:25
They truly are!!!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:45:58
What a lovely story. So glad you were able to salvage the saree. It is beautiful in blue. I own one from my time in Qatar but I can’t tie it! Probably won’t be worn again, such a shame.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:41:10
You know you can get them stitched in a way that all you have to do is wrap, clip, drape over the shoulder, pin and Go?
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 15:06:47
Yes I know. Can I do it to an existing one?
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:16:16
Very nice story and a lovely saree
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 10:39:04
Thank you 😊
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:05:22
A beautiful story Ritu, how special!! When I was in India I had a different sari to wear each day, provided by my Rotary Exchange hostess. She and the whole family, loved the fact that I enjoyed getting dressed up and they enjoyed getting me ready with all the accessories. I ended up buying a purple sari to wear to my sister’s wedding back in Australia a few days after I we arrived home. I did check with my sister first to make sure it was ok.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:06:33
Thank you Debbie. Sarees are the most elegant dress in the world to me! And this one is extra special!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 08:50:42
What a beautiful story and post! Such wonderful memories from a gorgeous Saree! Such a gorgeous vibrant colour and suits you perfectly!xx
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:04:25
Thank you so much. Memories are sometimes all we have… in this case I have my Saree too!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 08:50:11
A beautiful story, Ritu! What a lovely way to keep hold of things that have memories attached to them.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:03:50
Indeed Claire. I’m a firm believer in keeping memories alive! 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 08:45:53
Wait!….. That was an orange saree? Wow, what a great job…looks fantastic!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 09:03:20
It was indeed.. . Many moons ago! Thanks Matt!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 08:33:56
I am admiring this beautiful saree all week. You look stunning x
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 08:42:36
Thank you Orla! 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 06:39:15
That is such a treasure and truly irreplaceable. You do look wonderful and the colour is perfect.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:46:16
Thank you so much 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 06:34:47
I LOVE that color, Ritu! You look great! I’m sure it has tons of sentimental for you.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 06:35:05
*sentimental value!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:46:04
I got ya!!!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:45:57
Thank you Lisa! Yup it’s really special to me 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 11:54:01
I like the original color too but this blue is 😍 😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 12:20:15
😍😍
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 06:13:13
What a lovely sari story.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:45:33
Thank you Don. Everything has a story.. . Don’t you thinķ?
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:46:05
I do. 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:46:32
🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 04:07:04
That’s such a beautiful story Ritu. I love when you can hold onto sentimental pieces like that. It just means so much to you, and well done on being able to fit into it as well….you go girl 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:44:13
Thank you so much 😍 I’m definitely one for sentimentality… it’s why my house is so full of things!!!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 03:50:44
Very elegant Sister!!
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:43:18
Thank you Brother 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 15:15:16
You’re welcome Sister!! 🤗
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 03:27:23
Oooooo! You glam up really nice! 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:43:08
Why thank you Jim Sir!! 😉
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 00:18:46
What a wonderful story… You have a family heirloom to treasure and hand on to your daughter, and you look gorgeous in it! 💕😙
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 07:42:15
Thank you so much Ali! I do get a bit sentimental over things like This! 💜
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 22:13:14
This is such a lovely story! You got it all! You were nice and stepped back and still have the saree from your Nanima in exactly the color that fits you so beautifully! You look gorgeous, sis 😘
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 22:18:57
Thank you so much sis! Things are meant to be, eh! 😀
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 22:24:38
Your story shows that so well 💖
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 21:22:00
that is a wonderful memory.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 21:53:55
Thank you. It is indeed! 😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 20:15:20
I missed the PHOTO!!! You look beautiful and I love the story of the saree 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 20:42:55
Thank you!!! 😍😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 20:56:56
I kinda blocked myself out of Instagram, hahahahaha I have no idea what I did but what I do know is I cant see much of anything…
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 21:53:33
Oh no!!! How on earth did you manage That?????
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 22:06:28
I had the tablet in my bag, so when I got home and took it out, the screen looked different When I pressed on some of the apps some were working some not. The tablet was in a case so I don;t understand what could have happened.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 22:18:40
That’s really strange… can you access the full app via the pc or a phone?
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:31:30
Hi, my phone is very old so I don’t have apps on it. Maybe I should just see if I can open a new account.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:31:58
Maybe that would be best xx
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 13:32:40
Yes, I think so too.
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 15:13:59
We fixed it!!!!! well. my husband did hahaha Instagram is back on 🙂
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Aug 05, 2017 @ 18:50:42
YAY!!!!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 19:50:45
Such a beautiful memory to have held in that saree. It looks amazing and so do you.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 19:55:27
Thank you so much!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:45:08
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:42:49
Beautiful! Who would have thought that dying would work so well. It looks great on you. 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:45:19
Thank you xxx
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:41:27
Beautiful sari and beautiful you! There is a group on Facebook called Magic of Sarees, where ladies post their pic in saris, on a monthly theme, with a note about its acquisition or history. This post reminded me of that group I have not visited for long.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:37:58
A lovely shade of blue there. 🌷🌷🌷
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:39:47
Thank you Dorna x
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:35:44
What a lovely post and how nicely you have draped yourself in beautiful memories. You look resplendent! 😀👏👍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:38:05
Thank you so much Shivangi! Actually I was surprised at how well it came out. I haven’t worn a Saree in years!!!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:39:05
And how nicely you carry it off after years… not everyone can do it😀👏👍👏
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:50:28
Bless You! 😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:22:48
What a lovely way to be able to remember both your grandmorther and your wedding, Ritu. …and you look stunning.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:32:10
Thank you so much Sue. I look forward to handing this down to my daughter, complete wíth the back story 😊
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:10:56
That will be a beautiful gift. 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 18:39:01
I hope she feels the same 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:21:02
Wonderful Ritu. A beautiful and entertaining story and somewhere your grandmother is approving at how stunning you look. Such an elegant way to dress. xx
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:31:26
Thank you so much Sally. I’m so glad my whole family is sentimental enough to have fostered that appreciation that I now have for memories and momentos like this saree 😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:38:44
I am with you on that one Ritu. The downside of downsizing is the emotional tie to some of the many items passed on or that have sentimental value. My guest room built in wardrobe is packed with boxes. I do get them out from time to time and have a memory blitz… but your saree is something you can wear and look stunning in.. I hope it gets many more wearings.. I have given it another outing in the blogger daily.. hugs xx
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:49:16
I think this is why I’d never be a minimalist! These kinds of treasures meant far too much! And thank you for another share!!! 😍😍😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:17:25
What a beautiful saree and an equally beautiful story!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:17:46
Thank you so much 😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:13:16
Oddly enough, I have a saree. My mother roomed with a woman from India during college. She gave me one her roommate gave to her. She remembers how to pleat the front and wrap it. I used to know too, it’s been so long. They are so beautiful, I just don’t know if it’s okay to wear it… it’s definitely for a special occasion!
Yours is beautiful! I cannot believe it was dyed! It looks simply amazing on you!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:17:31
You should wear it! An evening do would be the perfect place!
And thank you 😍
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:59:55
You look gorgeous in this saree. 👌👌
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:02:46
Thank you so much!!!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:54:16
Beautiful story, beautiful saree, and a beautiful Ritu! You look lovely – and I’ve never seen you with your hair straightened, you looks very glamourous 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:55:42
Thank you Ruth! I don’t get it done often. I’m hopeless at straightening it myself so I spoil myself once in a while! 😊
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:41:57
Fantastic picture
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:54:40
Thank you
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:36:53
You look absokuteky amazing and what a treasure of a story and to cap it the delight of remembering you beloved Granny whenever you wear the dark blue that your husband chose. Delightful 💛
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:52:55
Thank you so much! I do love that Saree and the memories attached 💜
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 17:45:29
😊
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:36:26
What a beautiful story about your Nani, Ritu. So lucky that it dyed so well. I have a toy koala bear from Australian that my Granny gave to me when I was a girl of 11 years old. Amazing how we treasure these gifts.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:52:13
They are sometimes more precious than anything else because of the memories!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:06:00
LOVE this! I am convinced that your grandmother KNEW that you were the only one in the family who could make that color work, even if it was to change the color. So, question, how do you choose the Bindi for the occasion? Beautiful ensemble, by the way.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:20:18
Aw thank you Annette! I do hope she watches me from somewhere above, and approves of what we did!
Bindi.. I have boxes full, literally, and I just colour co-ordinate!!!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:41:05
I had a boyfriend from Mysore, ages ago. When he came back from a trip home to see his family, his sisters sent me so many Bindi it was crazy. When I asked him why so many , they said it was so that I would have choices. When I asked him how they thought to send them in the first place, he laughed and said he asked them to help him find a selection for a friend in the States who might need some help with her temper. Gotta love men.
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:54:29
Lol!!! I’ve not heard of the controlling your temper one before!!!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:00:55
Great story! I love that you were able to take something special and adapt it to something more suiting. It truly is a lovely colour, enhanced by the memories it contains. Makes me wonder if your cousin’s black fabric lasted as long, or was used so beautifully… Wonderful story, Ritu, thanks for sharing 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:19:22
Thank you Shaun! It’s a piece I can pass on to my own daughter too!
As for my cousin, I don’t know what she did with hers!
But at least I know mine is woven with true memories! 😀
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:00:34
First of all, the story of this beautiful saree is great story. I am impressed so much. And second, you are so beautiful and to dye is a great idea and successfully done. And third one is I am crazy with fabric(embroidried too) of India… The colours are amazing. I wished to make shopping in there as a rich one that meters of fabric wouldn’t be problem for me.
Thank you dear Ritu, have a nice day and weekend, Love, nia
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:18:17
Thank you Nia for all of your kind words! It is a special saree for me, and India is indeed a great place for all these reasons!
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 15:59:50
Nice story and great memories, Nimi 🙂
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Aug 04, 2017 @ 16:17:24
Thank you ! Memories to treasure!
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