The Adventures of the Little Indian Girl

we journeyed again today to Chikkapet/Sultanapet to get the invitation cards finalised. We walked over a block and entered the long stretch of shops selling nothing but sarees from the whole country and beyond...so it seemed anyway. we ventured into one of the stores that is quite well known and has been frequented by my aunts and their circles of people. And spent nearly 3 hours looking at sarees. Sarees for me, for mom, for the important ladies and the rest of the bunch coming. 4 kanchipuram silk sarees for me, 3 for mom (these are the minimum needed they say), 5 nice kanchipuram sarees for 5 aunts who have taken care of me and known me since birth. 2 for grandmothers who are close to us and about 45 normal silk-looking sarees. 

I am overloaded with colours that radiate. One is enough to radiate the room with its bright colours & jerri border (borders with designs interlaced with threads of gold 18k or 20k gold), imagine going through 40! I will miss the amazing colours that India enjoys, whether it's on a saree or paint on the walls. 

I went in a bit hesitant as I didn't want to spend too much. And we kept in our budget and got some very nice colours! These four are from parents' side. The in-laws to be will also be buying some, but mother-in-law to-be is understanding and will only get 3 more sarees, 1 ghagra & choli (will wear for reception) & 1 salwar kameez. Let me see if I can bargain and reduce at least 1 saree... seems during the ceremony I will have to change into sarees given by them. 

Yes, in matter of 2 days, I would have worn the four sarees we got today, plus at least 2 they give from their side!! fun fun .... right...i guess in previous times each thing happened on a different day so different saree...now it's combined into 1.5 days but that tradition still continues. 

My hubby-to-be will also dorn an Indian garment. I have made a deal with him that whenever I wear an Indian dress, so will he. (it's quite common and in-fashion that for reception the guy wear a western suit; i never get that; suit is nice compliment with a dress; when the bride will be wearing such colourful sarees the groom will look so sombre in his black suit. and i like consistency! :P). no bargaining. He happily agreed! 

tomorrow will be day at home. Chikkapet/sultanapet is the heart of Bangalore. It's a completely different world that works on its own rules. The narrow roads packed with people, cars, autos, bicycles, motorbikes, trucks, horse carriages that pass through buildings that are over 100 years old (some of them) it creates such a vibrating feel. For the packedness that is the area it is relatively clean, and the aromas were not of sewage as is often in certain areas of cities but of fresh fried bondas, pakodas, samosas - Indian snacks. oh delicious! The calories consumed were burnt in calories used to walk around. It is not for the faint-hearted, it is not for those who like roads/sidewalks to glimmer in cleanliness, but if you want to, as they say here, hear the city's heartbeat you go there!