Katha Saree Sagaram

Day 2 of   #100Sareepact   ...it is going to be puffed up face for next 10 days, but this is only about the sarees and not me. This is a 10 yard silk cotton from Savi Mami's....inaugurated today in celebration of Varadar Utsavam Dwajarohanam. Yet to get perfect drape, but managing. Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Kanchi, one of the important shrines for Sri Vaishnavas referred to as Perumal Koil is famous for its Brahmotsavam, the annual 10-day festival. The Vaikasi utsavam here is so significant for the Lord’s avatar in the city is in Brahma’s yagnya and so when Brahma himself descends on the earth for 10-days to celebrate the festival. “He has come Merciful Perumal of Elephant Hill He has come   Perumal   To be seen before our very eyes in the city of Kanci” (Trasnslation from Meiviradamanmiyam of Swami Vedanta Desika from Steven Paul Hopkins’ ‘Singing the Body of God’)

Not a great photo to start the   #100Sareepact . But a great place to start, for  I am in Kanchipura, wearing a Kanchi pattu. This is an old favourite, a jamun coloured Saree matched with a new Khun blouse. I wear sarees for more than 100 days, and have been doing so for last 30 years. Inspired to start by Jayalakshmi P Iyangar   and   Harini Calamur . This saree has been around for more than 20 years, and that is very common for Kanchi silks, for the weave and quality has always been known for its strength apart from the beautiful colours and designs they created. Proud of the fact that we are "Thondai Mandala Vedhiyar" as our Guru would call us, for ancestors from both my maternal and paternal side are from the Kanchipuram district which was the great capital of Thondai Mandalam enriched by the Pallavas, who left an indelible impact on the city - Nagareshu Kanchi. 

#100SareePact I started this sometime in May this year during my annual sojourn at Kanchipuram. Initially I was reluctant to do so because I wear sarees for most of the year, have done so for most of my adult life and therefore I don't fit this pact. Also, I am too reluctant to get photographed everytime I wear a saree, and post them. I am too happier sharing pictures of birds and butterflies, ancient ruins, temples and deities. Later on it dawned on me that I can use this space, this pact to talk about the weaving traditions, about the sarees, the weavers, the people who sold them to me, my travels. So here it goes....