#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#linen #cotton

#SS 27/100/2020

Disclaimer – A Very Long Post.
Twinning. Emulating.
Definition in Miriam Webster dictionary.
Twinning. The ..association or comparison of two similar people, groups or..
Emulating. Imitating.
Am twinning with a whole host of Sakhis in this post.
Easy way out, you may exclaim. No, not really.
These few souls, amongst so many, along with many others, are kindred spirits. They may not know it, know me, but
They have struck a chord in me with their writing, comments, and just sheer courage, compassion and love.

I am also a person of great excesses.
Big. Huge. Large. Enormous. Everything is exaggerated. Apologies.
When I cook, if Mum says a small handful of mustard seeds, I dump a heaped teaspoon, if the recipe calls for 2 heaped teaspoons of curry powder, I do tablespoons and heaped.
If someone comes home for a meal and says enough, I say that word does not figure in my dictionary, and I pile on a second helping.
In the initial years of marriage, husband one day casually remarked, to try on some brighter lipstick. Have never looked back since. Reds, crimsons, one sees the lipstick before one sees Big B.
He always got me the Stone and String sets from Sri Lanka, I had one to match practically any outfit. Lost them all when we were burgled twice here, as a new migrant. Anyway, it would be blue Saree, blue SS set, blue bangles and blue eyeshadow. Would have smacked on blue lipstick if it wouldn’t have made me look like rigor mortis was setting in.
Once, for a funeral ceremony, I draped a black cotton silk with an exotic lavender gold border, and had my signature crimson lipstick on. My husband looked at me, flabbergasted. I retorted that I wasn’t going to change, welcome to the monster he’d created.

So if the theme is to emulate a person, I am unable to hold myself. I would tend to go overboard and twin with, if I could, the entire SS group. Vini may then decide to give me the boot. So I’ve had to cut down. Am twinning with a few sakhis. The twinning is not entirely physical, and am not claiming to be anywhere close to their unique identities, yet I have discovered something coincidental, similar, something that has struck a chord in me, causing me to strike a rapport whether they are aware of it or not, in their writing, poems, photos – a Saree, a child, a gesture, a grey strand, a like experience. Twinning of a deeper level?
Of a look and search for it nature.

My saree is a simple pink, grey and white linen cotton, the colours of femininity, tenderness and friendship.

In no particular order but with great amounts of love and respect,
Shilpada Gadgil Tamhankar- for having twinned with me, a humble post of Gratitude for her immense generosity.
Shubha Nafrey – am trying to emulate her careless pose on her sofa, and her compassion and creativity, unfortunately mine is a ‘care-more’ pose. Fell in love with, still in love with Shuba after her sofa nap pose during a Diwali.
Latha Sridar – so much in common, her love for music, her ideals, soul sisters, we are, for sure.
Rohini Kambham – love her posts and her elegant pose on the stairs or sofa, an attempt to ‘copy’ the chair pose.
Seema Shrivastava Gupta – emulating her gorgeous smile, kindness, and zest for life.
Kamal Patil Akka – her full length Saree clicks and her serene, beautiful, composure.
Leena Saldanha Joshi – wanting to emulate and love that wise, glowing composure, and spot on posts.
Shruthi dear – attempting to emulate her courage, confidence, compassion.
Thayalini CT Nagendran – No hard work required – my doppelganger.
Sajala Manerker akka – my pink and her peach Saree, on a sofa. Hoping that by twinning, some of that gorgeousness and great thoughts will rub off on me.
Meera Akka – emulating a full length pose, and her packed, full on, meaningful days, her serenity and compassion, her passion for nurturing.
Kalpana Iyer akka – trying to emulate her principles, kindness, love of life, and because it’s her birthday too.
Ameeta Welling – twinning because of our similar backgrounds with sisters, daughters and nieces/nephews
Vini Tandon Keni, and finally Vini, I took a back shot but mine looked quite shocking, so am just wanting to emulate Vini’s giving and generous nature.

I have so many more but FB may tag me as a spammer so I will stop and say
Dear Sakhis, if I have not emulated you here, that is because

1. Age and lack of agility has not allowed me to attempt that pose, dear Amy D., my back will not allow that graceful nonchalant post,
2. Am unable to creatively drape a saree or try a differently designed blouse
3. My dance or music videos may frighten the living daylights out of you and family.

Having said that though, our common thread here is our love for the Saree, our mutual respect for and ‘sareeship’/kinship with each other.
Love and blessings to those I have emulated and to each and every Sakhi in this group.

#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#tussarsilk #chikankari

#themeofthemonth #emulation #twinning.

#SS 29/100/2020

Final emulation.
But I will leave it to you to guess who this gorgeous person, no, personality, is.
I may mention her at the bottom of the post.
No cheating, no scrolling.
Read on..
She has been a little quiet of late, but I noted she has placed little loves and likes on my and others’ posts.
She needs no reason to dress up or to cook a 5 course meal. She churns out sweets in her lovely kitchen and then shares it with her friends who love her to bits. She takes photos with parasols in her gorgeous garden.
And her Women in Joy (enjoy) posts are positive, witty and reminiscent of a truly wise, wonderful soul.
I was enthralled by an initial post in which she said she celebrates the Oscars in her own inimitable way. She prepares a gourmet meal, puts on a ball gown, and celebrates herself, a day when she receives well deserved awards for countless nominations.
My final emulation, is dedicated to this down to earth, endearing soul, whom I’ve never physically met, but have ‘WhatsApped’ with, sending text and voice messages to and fro through different time zones, sharing music videos, audio recordings of our girls, and aspects of our lives.
A few days ago at work, someone mentioned, we never know when a person smiles, what hurt, pain, grief is hidden behind that smile.
This lovely lady has been under the radar and weather, yet any post of hers is light, breezy, and never fails to inspire and uplift others.
Draped an orange tussar silk with chikankari work with matching blouse for a weekend lunch at my home with friends.
Was deciding on the post for the Saree, when I caught sight of her post today, explaining the reasons for her not being on FB.
And it dawned on me the bright, glorious orange represents her – Bright, Positive, Happy, Glowing, Energetic.
My dear friend, is enthusiastic, warm, lives life on her terms and rejuvenates people around her.
Twinning with,
Emulating, or maybe
Complimenting and
Complementing
Anushree Pandey Setzer
as
Imitation is more often than not, the Sincerest Form of Flattery.
Love and blessings to you, sweetheart.

#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#cotton #cottonsilk

#themeofthemonth #emulation ? #twinning ?

#SS 28/100/2020

Draped this simple cotton silk purplish magenta with lime green and magenta checks on borders and pallu.
Matching blouse.
Accessorised with a smile. Tired but happy. Photo clicked from daughter#2’s bed at the end of a long day, almost midnight.
Rose early for work. Back to back clients, troubleshooting, problem solving, meetings.
Home. Late lunch. Prepped dinner.
Draped this Saree and had class with the little ones. As always, the classes rejuvenate me.
Off to temple. Freezing cold. Draped a light pashmina and turned car heater to maximum.
Absolutely at peace at temple.
Got home, Venn ponggal prasad – temple prasad is always way more delicious than home food. Dinner in fridge.
Quick click.
Brief post. No emulation. Or probably emulating all Sakhis, long work and home days. 😎❤🙏

#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#silk #themeofthemonth #SSrules

#SS 30/100/2020

Rose early for Varalakshmi Viratham.
The day went by with full on office work, prayers, fasting.
Pujas, fasts are important only so long as we understand we do this to celebrate the Divine within (and without). Within us are eight Lakshmis that make us the wonderful, beautiful, empowered, independent, fearless women that we are. Courage, wealth, prosperity, victory, nourishment, progeny, protection, wisdom.
Our aim is to rouse these inner Lakshmis, ensure they thrive, an ongoing, continuous process.
Then everyday becomes a Varalakshmi Viratham day.
And when we delve deeper, we unearth non superficial non materialistic wealth within our hearts and souls.
Draped this light kanjivaram Ganga Jamuna (Maroon and Mustard borders) with a bright blue body and maroon gold pallu. With a striped linen blouse.
Visited some friends in the evening, exchanged trays, got home late, then got photos taken. The yellow background shot was taken before going out, daughter#2’s signature click. The rest, way past 10pm.
SS Rules say

1. Be kind and courteous.
2. No hate speech or bullying.
3. Post freshly worn sarees.
4. No kids pics.
   A tick for rule 3.
   Visited a friend whose little girl dressed as Hermione, had just returned from a disco party. Took a pic with the little one but have cropped her off the photo. Another tick for rule 4.
   Rules 1 and 2 are sheer common sense.
   An inspiring sakhi we know, always signs off with a form of rule 1. Be kind always, it costs nothing.
   If we are able to be alert and adhere to rules 1 and 2, then every day becomes a Varalakshmi Viratham day.
   And then we can rest assured, rules 1 and 2 will remain permanently ticked.

#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#silk #themeofthemonth #SSrules

#SS 31/100/2020

Disclaimer – identical photos, I believe, but the photographer claims otherwise, so humour me please, and amuse yourself by playing Spot the Differences. 🤓🤪

Rose early again.
Had a steaming hot mug of strong Nespresso coffee.
Then mustered up the courage to open my guest room door.
Stared at the guest room bed, stripped of sheets, with a landfill of clean laundry piled on top, Clothes folded in neat piles, to be ironed by respective owners.
Shut door firmly. Told myself if I couldn’t see it, it didn’t exist. Instructed daughter#2 to Vaccum the back end of the house. Daughter#1 was out at work else I would’ve assigned the clearing of the guest room to her.
Cooked lunch. Mango chutney, soy protein fry, lentils, kohlrabi/nokkol.
Draped a simple, unique silk gifted in ’92 by husband. He’d fallen for the soft green and multi coloured striped pallu. Borderless Saree. Still in great condition.
Left for music exams invigilation. The final stage requires students to perform a full fledged 1.5 hour kutcheri with Ragam Thanam Pallavi, Chowka kaala krithis, krithis, varnam, Thillana, over and above the theory and practical exams. Manodharmam is encouraged with students rendering raga alapanas, niraval, simple and complex kalpana swarams.
Extremely heartening to see the youngsters perform with confidence and having mastery over their instrument or voice. Delighted that the younger generation will carry the mantle of this beautiful art form and that too in a country so far removed from their motherland.
Got home, had extra classes for exam students.
A brief lie down on sofa, binge watched Netflix’s Good Girls, over a cup of tea, then had to leave for a birthday dinner.
SS RULES say One Saree Per Post.
So..
dinner Saree will feature in next post.

Made banana fritters for prasad but forgot to click it.

#onepotmeal #lockdownsimplemeal #minimalisticmeals #recyclefood #leftovers #NoJudgementPlease is this even a hashtag? #servelovegive #cookwithlove #cooknoairs #vegetarian #vegan #eggless #mykitchen #simplefood #kitchendiaries #comfortfood #bitesbybavani #bluffsbybavani #inmykitchen #kitchendiaries

Potato podimas.
Steamed, mashed potatoes. Fried mustard seeds, cummin seeds, dried red and green chillies, urad, channa dhalls and cashews, curry and coriander leaves.
Alright, do not frown.
Fried in ghee.

#onepotmeal #lockdownsimplemeal #minimalisticmeals #recyclefood #leftovers #NoJudgementPlease is this even a hashtag? #servelovegive #cookwithlove #cooknoairs #vegetarian #vegan #eggless #mykitchen #simplefood #kitchendiaries #comfortfood #bitesbybavani #bluffsbybavani #inmykitchen #kitchendiaries

Lemon rice with cashews, chillis, urad and channa dhalls, tempered with mustard seeds, cummin, hingcurry and coriander leaves.
And
Aadi Kummayam, a traditional Chettinad sweet, with urad, mung dhalls flour and rice, sweetened with palm jaggery and cooked in ghee.

#onepotmeal #lockdownsimplemeal #minimalisticmeals #recyclefood #leftovers #NoJudgementPlease is this even a hashtag? #servelovegive #cookwithlove #cooknoairs #vegetarian #vegan #eggless #mykitchen #simplefood #kitchendiaries #comfortfood #bitesbybavani #bluffsbybavani #inmykitchen #kitchendiaries

Pumpkin patchadi.
Microwaved squash, mashed, added finely chopped onions, green chillies, ginger, a dollop or two of low fat Greek yoghurt.
A friend’s recipe.

#onepotmeal #lockdownsimplemeal #minimalisticmeals #recyclefood #leftovers #NoJudgementPlease is this even a hashtag? #servelovegive #cookwithlove #cooknoairs #vegetarian #vegan #eggless #mykitchen #simplefood #kitchendiaries #comfortfood #bitesbybavani #bluffsbybavani #inmykitchen #kitchendiaries

A shared dinner for two.
Thai Mexican Combo anyone?
Tom Yam soup.
A plate of Nachos, not microwaved yet, with chopped tomatoes, green chillies, capsicum, hot sauce, mozzarella cheese and corn chips.
#onepotmeal #lockdownsimplemeal #minimalisticmeals #recyclefood #leftovers #NoJudgementPlease is this even a hashtag? #servelovegive #cookwithlove #cooknoairs #vegetarian #vegan #eggless #mykitchen #simplefood #kitchendiaries #comfortfood #bitesbybavani #bluffsbybavani #inmykitchen #kitchendiaries