“No more saris? Air India may bring in new look for flight crew” was the headline. The article continued, “For six decades now, Air India’s flight attendants have worn the whole nine yards while negotiating long-haul flights and demanding passengers... The new look, expected to be unveiled in November, will include churidars for women and suits for men”. As someone known to be a sari aficionado, my phone began to ring. Everyone wanted my views.
My initial reaction was sadness. Since I wear saris even when riding a camel or climbing onto the upper berth in a train, I can vouch for their comfort and ease in all situations (except possibly a typhoon or snow storm!). To give “negotiating long-haul flights and demanding customers” as a reason to abandon the sari is nonsense. Women all over India cycle, work on building sites, run businesses, and deliver babies wearing saris. And the women scientists who worked tirelessly to make our successful mission to the moon happen, all wore saris. Saris epitomise a timeless feminine aesthetic and are exquisitely becoming, making all shapes and sizes look beautiful.
