Of Cloth, People and Tales

Dear Reader

Power dressing is enormously impressive and influential. It could be the workplace or a family gathering. Just like the body communicates your mood, clothes communicate to you. And so, beware before you comment on it; today's trending tweet is #rippedjeans. 

     Clothing has a humble beginning--to protect people from cold, the harsh rays of the Sun, rain, insect bites etc. As the human race lost the protective body hair, we have used different materials to protect ourselves. In frigid regions, leather- the skin of animals-was preferred. It kept the human race from frostbite, from death, actually. The Eskimos ('the circumpolar people who live in the arctic and subarctic regions of Canada, Greenland, Russia, Siberia and the USA-COurtsey Britannica Encyclopedia) wear the 'caribou' (a North American reindeer). In fact, women are considered the originators of their traditional clothing made from caribou skin. (I found a significant blog post on the Eskimos and their clothing here👉https://www.solenerauturier.com/blog/history-ethical-fashion) 

   As the nomadic groups and/or communities transformed into society, gradually, clothing became a status symbol. Beginning with the material used for making the dress to the fashioning of the cloth to suit the luxury of forbidden physical labour. Whether you belong to the aristocracy or be a rich man, your daily bread is not dependent on physical labour. And so, the cloth was designed to suit this relaxed life-- the flowing gowns for women, the varied styles of coat that men wore (in the Western nations) and the intricately woven silk, heavy sarees/ lehenga for women and the similarly designed kurta for men in India. 

      And over some time, just as the design of the cloth came to represent the caste and class of the people, it also came to designate the moral issues that society clamped on wo/men--most of the time women. So, wearing a 'certain' kind of apparel came to be socially acceptable and recognised as 'respectable'. Soon 'society' as an 'institution' was the established norm, and the moral-ethical notions also began to be rigidly established. Thus, the modesty of an individual was slowly transferred from the strength of character to the kind of clothing one wore. 

        In this connection, I want to share some interesting stories. I would like to begin with the great Sharana mystic poet, Akka Mahadevi of the 12th C in Karnataka, India. As a child, she was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. When she was married to King Kaushika (who was a Jain), it was on the condition that she continue to worship her beloved lord Shiva-ChannaMallikarjuana (Shiva as beautiful as Jasmine). When this promise was broken, it is said that she walked out of the palace, renouncing all--including the clothes the king had given. There is an anecdote-- Kalyana, the abode of ShivaSharanas (the place where all mystics who worshipped Lord SHiva gathered), Akka enters the hall in the nude. The gathering of the mystics lowers their eyes in respect to Akka, a mystic herself. Only Allama Prabhu welcomes her without taking his eyes off her. Respects her and engages in a philosophical conversation. Akka, it is believed to have said 'Only you are the true sharana since you recognise the soul and not the body'. 

       Then, of course, we have the cautionary tale in Mahabharata-- Draupadi Vastrapaharana-the Disrobing of Draupadi. Even if Kauravas had defeated the Pandavas, the Kurukshetra war would not have been so embittered and destructive. But, the crucial moment of disrobing Draupadi sets the time of the destruction of the Kauravas--sons of the blind king Dhritarashtra. It is that defining moment of ethics of respecting women, relationships and responsibility that this episode warns people. (Of course, I can't but mention Dopadi, a short story by Mahashweta Devi, which presents a new dimension to 'disrobing' altogether) 

     There is another interesting Russian folktale about two little girls in a village. It is Christmas time. One young child wears a beautiful White frock to go to Church. Her mother warns her not to get the frock dirty. The girl is eager to show her pretty white dress to her friend in the neighbourhood. As the two little girls begin to play, accidentally, dirty water splashes on the pretty white dress. The girl is now afraid of what her mother would say. Angrily, she lashes out at her friend, runs to her mother and complains about this lady who scolded her... Now, there is a heated argument between the two women. This fight involving the two women now extends to their families to involve the entire village. It takes a serious turn when the villagers arm themselves with weapons to fight each other! In the meantime, the two little girls have washed off the stain on the pretty white frock and have begun to play. A wise old woman sees this. She calls the parents and the village elders to the two little friends playing happily "Why is it that elders like you forget the auspicious message of Christmas on the day of Christmas. You all need to learn from the children". The village is ashamed of its mindless behaviour and celebrates Christmas in its true spirit.       

        And this is my personal favourite--the Emperor's New Cloths. I am sure, dear reader, you know this one. But I am unable to resist this narration. Once upon a time, there was a king. He considered himself the most intelligent one in his kingdom whom no one could fool. Irked by this attitude, a humble tailor decided to teach a lesson in humility to the arrogant King. He visits the King's court one day and shows a beautifully woven cloth to the court. He relates that he invented a clothing material visible only to an intelligent man. The court is stunned into silence as no one can see the cloth. Though the king did not see it, he could not say it aloud. So everyone agrees that he has indeed woven a beautiful cloth. The tailor now says 'I would like to design an apparel for the king with this piece of cloth'. So, he is given royal residence and treated with utmost importance. Each time the King visits the tailor in his room, the tailor describes the fabric and asks for his opinion. Each time, the king forces himself to appreciate the marvellous design. On the appointed day, the tailor informs that the King's apparel is ready and that he can wear it for his royal parade across the city. And the tailor pretends to help the king wear the stitched dress. And everyone, unwilling to say anything else, appreciates the dress. As the king sets out on the royal parade, a young boy, unable to hide his laughter, says aloud "But why is the King nude?" 😂😂😂😂 Many a time, what we think is what we wear.

  As 20 March is celebrated as International Story-Telling Day, keep up the spirit of sharing stories and enjoy listening to stories!!.

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