Recently, when the celebrated Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee was addressing the Indian students at the Harvard India Conference, he wasn’t aware that soon he will be again trolled for speaking his mind. During the conference, Sabyasachi criticised Indian women, particularly younger generation for not wearing a sari and giving preference to western outfits. “I think, if you tell me that you do not know how to wear a sari, I would say shame on you. It’s a part of your culture, (you) need to stand up for it for it,” he said.
According to reports, the designer was responding to a question on difficulties women face in draping a sari. The garment, he said, is the most wonderful dress in the world and people across the globe admire it, and identify Indian women with it.
Though at that moment his remarks were received with a resounding applause from the audience, when it came to social media, people had divided opinions.
While describing the beauty of the six-yard, he gave an example of Deepika Padukone and said, “She wears saree at all the places she goes.”
He further added, “Women and men are trying very hard to be something that they are not. Your clothing should be a part of who you are and connect you to your roots.” The relationship between an Indian woman and sari is that of a serpent, the designer said. “It’s a relationship of misunderstanding. It’s easy to wear a sari. Wars have been fought in a sari. Grandmothers have slept in a sari and have woken up without any folds to it,” Sabyasachi added.
While concluding the session he gave a strong thought that mesmerized the audience and it was, “I think that cultural clothing should stay within the domain of a particular country because when you take it out, it becomes a costume and then it does not remain sustainable.”