“CHUNARI” RAGE

It’s that time of year in this part of the world (India) when a grand festival called “Navarathri”or “Dussehra” is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. It’s different for different regions in India and they celebrate it in varied styles. This festival refers to “Lord Rama’s” victory over the ten headed demon king “Raavana”. The day also marks the victory of Goddess “Durga” over the demon “Mahishasura”. Radically, it celebrates the victory of good over evil.
People celebrate this festival by getting together, and preparing special foods and blessing of household and work related tools. Some regions put up a grand display of dolls and statuettes of gods in the houses or communities and call it “Kolu” or “Golu”. Many also believe that it is lucky to start a new venture or project on “Dussehra”.
This time of the year, all of India, especially North India swings to this dance form called “Daandiya “. And everyone takes so much care to dress up in their best of best clothes. The colours are very bright and the fabrics luxe .It’s quite a sight to see men, women and children all dressed in traditional wear and killer looks.
When I went out the other day to a typical “bazaar”(market) in Mumbai, I walked into a store to get some mundane stuff and the sight what I saw,kind of hit me like a hurricane. Hanging all over the place were myriad pieces of fabrics, sparkling like crystal sheets with the ornamentation done on them. I was literally swept off my feet with the scene of bling! It was an absolute grandiose display of umpteen kinds of fabrics. They looked all the more pompous as they were small in dimension, yet extremely rich in density with regard to ornamentation. I felt completely thrilled seeing this exhibition of colours and sequins as I am always a sucker for fabrics and such.

  

  

  

 

I gathered from the shopkeeper guy that these bits of fabrics range from very small to large dimensions and are mainly used to adorn the idols of Gods. They were mostly called “ Chunari”, he said. I felt these ornate pieces could also be used for various other purposes like adding a little bit glamour for parties or for wrapping a gift or just hanging them from the walls for any kind of celebration. Even just fold it like a fan and place it inside a glass as how a napkin is placed in a restaurant for that bit of a festive mood. My imagination ran high!
Anyway, what I remember most is a dash of flashy colours and how happy they made me feel. And that’s all that matters. Life goes on!