SAREE DIPLOMACY IN BRAZIL

 

ENGAGING IN SAREE DIPLOMACY IN BRAZIL

    Diplomatic assignments abroad for Defence personnel are far few and elusive and hence considered prized. The tenure, though, has its own challenges professionally as well as socially. Hosting frequent parties for visiting delegations and diplomatic community is an essential part of such assignments which require considerable planning and effort. We however soon learnt tricks of trade and were doing well after completing 6 months and successfully hosting few such gatherings. Ladies group too was active and they conducted a regular event exclusively for ladies, café da manhã (Portuguese for Breakfast) hosted in turn by spouses of all Military Attaches. A typical such event would have as many as 40 ladies from as many countries. My wife’s turn came sooner than anticipated. While the menu was worked out after lot of brain scratching there was one aspect needing more ingenuity. 

    By convention such events culminate in showcasing some aspect of host countries culture. Cooking demonstration, Yoga, Dance etc were some events considered but rejected on some or the other basis. One night while returning from celebration of national day of a country my wife had her eureka moment and pronounced that she will hold a saree tying exhibition. She further elaborated on her choice, “People here are in awe with my saree. Majority have never seen it as there is hardly any Indian community in Brazil. They had lot of misconceptions regarding Saree and seek questions and clarification about the size, time taken and people required to tie it. They could not believe when I told that it is easy to wear and also most of the activities can be done including running. They all love it and praise me and click photographs with me. I have also started loving the saree and feel so overwhelmed and grateful to this attire which I never valued back in India.” Before starting for the assignment we were told to try to be in our national dress at official functions. Faithfully I got myself stitched black Jodhpuri while she packed lot of her sarees, many of which she had never worn also.

    The culinary part went off well with almost all of Indian traditional Breakfast dishes on the table. Thereafter she assembled the ladies in the hall where she had kept several sarees along with underskirt (petticoat) and top (choli). It was told to them that underskirt and tops were optional as most of them were in western clothes and their trousers/skirts provided waist band to tuck the upper edges and pleats. She gave a live demonstration cum tutorial in an artistic manner explaining each and every step with utmost simplicity. Everyone was able to drape the saree in one go without any problem. The triumphant teacher and the student for that moment celebrated their victory with loud cheers and high fives and queued up in front of the mirrors for photo shoots and selfies. It was evident that the event was a big hit. Unfortunately I did not have the same luck with my black Jodhpuri as the very first event which I attended I was mistaken for a Garçom (Portuguese for waiter).  While she continued adorning sarees, to functions, I preferred to be in formal suite or my service uniform for rest of our stay there.     

    The article was published in 2018 in Hindustan Times.