Woven Stories, Unspoken Bonds - a saree meet to remember.

When I chose to host a Saree meet, I knew exactly what I didn’t want it to be. I wanted it to be meaningful. On a beautiful, cold Sunday afternoon, 15 women came together to talk about their lives.

To me, a Saree group is not just a social circle; it’s an extension of my "village," and I wanted everyone to feel that same connection. But unless you know the person behind the face, how can you truly know who they are or build a relationship? So, as I always do for my gatherings, I provided some prompts.

I asked everyone to bring their "true self" to the meet first. I had prepared seven questions, thinking they were simple and that we would breeze right through them. How naïve I was. I gave them a tool, not expecting them to use it so fully or take their time with it. We didnt even get passed question no 1.

The first question on the list was to talk about parents and siblings. Most of us couldn’t even get past the "parents" part.

We are often told that "girls favor their fathers," but interestingly enough, so many women chose to talk about their mothers.

I wish I could have recorded the stories narrated in my living room. To hear these women talk so passionately about their mothers was incredible. It wasn't just praise; it was their whole life history and life style choices, disagreements, arguments and more. Many daughters admitted they are finally coming to terms with their mothers' personalities and choices —choices they weren't the biggest fans of during their teenage years.

I feel like I could write multiple posts about that one afternoon. If you are curious, these were the prompts:

The Invite: 

Saree Meet at Jaya’s: A time to connect, care, and rejuvenate. Bring a dish and your empathy. Wear a saree with a memory.

Plan to leave your phone away for the afternoon.

The Conversation:

• Talk about your parents and siblings.
• Share a fun thing from your childhood.
• A not-so-fun thing from your teens.
• A crush from your youth.
• A crisis from your midlife.
• A wish for your 70s.
• A dream for your 80s.
• A dish that reminds you of home.

 Our phone came out only in the beginning and ending for pictures. Without our phones we didnt go in withdrawal. Phones were banned but our hearts were open, souls were happy.

Would you like to join me for another story telling saree meet?

A Kalamkari on a mangalgiri  for the day, A gift of love.