SITA Nagamootoo amused with a cheerful tale of how it was her eye-catching sari that mesmerised her now husband, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, when they first met over 50 years ago.
She was at the time speaking at a Sari Draping Demonstration and Exhibition Saturday at the Kalyan Centre and Shopping Plaza.
“I wore my first sari in 1966 during a Diwali Beauty Pageant and I can share a secret, that was when my husband, now prime minister, was captivated and I think captured. I think my sari had something to do with that special moment,” Nagamootoo related.
The cultural event was aimed at making sari wrapping a little bit easier for the women who don them. There was a live sari wrapping demonstration as well as documentary on the clothing.
The event also saw models displaying sari outfits from the Mumbai Bazaar, Styles Indfia and Jairam Little India Store. There was also poetry, dancing and dramatic pieces coordinated by Neaz Subhan.
The event also celebrated other aspects of the Indian culture, including Indian foods and henna painting.
It was organised by Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam, who pointed out that the event was long overdue and was happy it came to realisation.
Mrs. Nagamootoo also praised the timely hosting of the event.
“This event is being held at an appropriate time when Guyana is observing the 100th Anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship and when the focus is on Indian culture,” she said.
Mahalingam pointed out that the sari was cultural and not religious clothing, though it is oftentimes thought to be associated with Hinduism.
“The beauty of the sari is – it is an extra-ordinary feminine garment, suited to the youngest of girls as well as the most elderly women. It is inconceivably wrong to attribute the sari to be Hindu attire. Sari is common wear among Hindus, Christians and Muslims in India,” Mahalingam said.
He is hoping that the exhibition grows into a larger event.
“This Sari Draping Demonstration and Exhibition event is only a soft beginning and I can assure you with the overwhelming response that we get from you, will motivate us to continue even on a larger scale in the years to come. We can even carry this event to other parts of Guyana too,” he said.