What does food have to do with the Parsi Gara / Saree
Traditionally many food motifs are woven in gorgeous gara / saree embroidery designs by craftmen in India. Here are some samples.
Potatoes and Onion – Kanda (Onion) Papeta (Potato) Motif Design
The kanda-papeta design on a gara blouse and saree from the early 20th century. The dots are the Kanda and Papeta
Pomegranate – Daram Design (Pomegranate is a fruit motif from Persia)
Mango – Keri Design (Mango is a fruit and a British Paisley Motif)
Foods in Fish and Animal kingdom motifs are a plenty! Fish is considered auspicious so lot of fish embroidery is done on silk gara.
Birds of a fine food and feather are on Garas – Peacocks, Ostrich, Swan, Cock, Hens, Flamingo, Cranes.
Turtles, Phoenix, Butterflies, Spiders, Dragons and Snakes also deck a pretty lady’s gara / saree!
So dear ladies and lads, run to the wardrobe and pull out your grandmother’s gara. See if there are food motifs. Snap a photo and send it in to add to this collection.
Next How to wear a Gara….
