My apprentice brother Khalil asked me, the Thursday before Crown List, if I could possibly walk as part of his entourage and wear a sari.
I've had an interest in Indian, because I wanted to support my 10+ year yoga practice with clothes and more culture knowledge, but felt I needed lots of gaps filled. For example, I studied Middle Eastern garden design in college, but how those philosophies bridge to what little of the mythology I know and then to clothing...I have a lot more reading to do before I feel I can represent Indian in any way, shape or form that lives up to my expectations of integrity. I don't want to look like a costume dilettante (and I realize I have been), bouncing around the various times and cultures...I want to actually learn something, and for that I need to stay put for a while. And be patient.
But Khalil asked. I'd just done some work with Madhavi on a new choli pattern, so I could actually put something together in an afternoon, and Lorenzo hooked me up with Devamati, who kindly lent her clothing to an utter stranger, and Her Highness Dierdre plundered her giant jewelry box for me.
At the end of 30 hours, I had this.
More pics here.
Okay, so here's what I'm wearing, and what it really should be, if assembled with a bit more time than 30 hours and few resources. All of this is dependent on time and culture - Hindu, not Muslim, and 16thc. (completely dependent on Madhavi's research here; I'm quoting from her class at Gulf Wars, "What to Wear With Your Choli." Someday I'll read enough to have my own ownership of this costume.)
Veil - Called a dupatta, should be the finest, most transparent white stuff. Cotton or silk. Lots of fun to fool with, and very practical for sun.
Bindi - I'm wearing a modern one, courtesy of HRH Deirdre, but it should be a red spot.
MISSING - A tikka, which is a piece of jewelry with three strands and a forehead medallion. I've got stuff for this, so I'll make one soon.
INSTEAD - that decoration on my braid, no idea what it's called. However, it was very useful in keeping the dupatta from falling off quite as often as it normally would.
Earrings - big heavy ones from HRH Deirdre. Silver with green stones. Historically, large heavy earrings to stretch the earlobes - like you see on Buddhas. Also those tusks that go through the ear.
Necklace - no idea. Need to look at illustrations more.
Blue choli - this is a new construction from Madhavi's research; I just helped with the tailoring. Still needs some tweaking, and lots of embroidery. Fabric here is heavy linen, but I don't really think that's right. It's a beta.
Bracelets - lots of bangles all in one color. Some are textured, filigreed. Madhavi says the glass bangles are appropriate but very very difficult to wear. I won't be trying those.
Armbands - these are from HRH again, and were fun. The ones in the illustrations have tassels. I need to make lots of tassels.
Rings - my own, one a gift from Mistress Jadi, and one inherited.
Myrrh beads at waist - They're too long, so I need to shorten them to sit at my natural waist. They are resin beads that dissolve with heat and moisture and scent the body. Very lovely.
Green apprentice belt - stolen from EP stuff. I have plans for something better.
White patka - This is an oddness; it sort of says "apron" to my Western eye, but it's important to be white, so I was careful not to use it as one. This is the same linen pulled-thread piece I use for my headwraps.
Orange skirt - This and the purple skirt underneath are ghagras, which are gored skirts with a slightly gathered waistband. Madhavi says they're not quite the right thing, which is a simple tube with gathered waist. I know from my Borum Eshoj skirt that in order to have enough stride diameter, that's a lot of poofiness. Much ab workouts required to feel good in this garb - more yoga! Fabric should be plain or block printed, per M.
I painted my toenails, and my sandals are from Patagonia.
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