The Whole Nine Yards!

When it came to celebrations, she went the whole nine yards…

- Usha Sunder

Everyone has innumerable memories of their childhood and I am no exception. My earliest is that of my amma effortlessly draping her madisar (nine yards saree) around her petite frame and pinning the loose end of the pallu on the right side of her hip, giving it and herself a feel of completion.

In my childhood, seeing my amma in her madisar indicated that it is a day of celebration, festivity and yummy sweets. I would wonder at the ease and grace with which she carried herself in it. It gloriously added to the festive atmosphere. The madisar induced some kind of a positive Pavlovian response of celebration in my siblings and me. Tuesdays, Fridays, auspicious days, puja days, birthdays of the Gods, New Year… - for almost 5 days in a week she would wear her madisar or prepare to wear it for the next occasion.