City News
Malaysia Saree Day - Ipoh Council vague directive leads to social media campaign
July 03, 2016
For the first time, Malaysian Indian women and a good
number of beauties from other races, draped the six yards (or shared old/most
recent pictures on social media) in support for the traditional outfit on July
1.
Although the idea was to drape a saree on the day, but
the support from those posting photographs of them in one was equally
encouraging.
On another note, I hope to see the same enthusiasm for
other issues as well, show them the woman power.
And of course, please don’t wait for someone to say we
can’t and then do it to prove we can!
How did the Malaysia Saree Day come about?
The Ipoh City Hall issued a directive that its staff should
not drape a saree for special Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering.
An image of the gathering’s invitation card was
circulated on social media, which stated that Malays should wear “national
costume” while for other communities, it should be their “respective festive
attire except saree” (kecuali sari).
The council, in a statement later clarified that there
had been a misinterpretation to the dress code in the invitation sent out to
its staff.
“It was never our intention to offend anyone,
especially in the month of Ramadan where all races are encouraged to respect
and forgive each other. We would like to clarify that “except saree” meant that
our staff were free to wear a suitable saree and those those who work in the
field can make a choice to wear a saree, office wear, or anything that is
appropriate for the ceremony,” the council said.
The said invitation which was circulated had been
condemned by netizens, where they accused the Ipoh Council for being
insensitive and allegedly practicing racial discrimination.
Of course, the statement got the community on social
media worked up and later saw pictures of women in saree flooding the various
social media platforms with hashtags #keepcalmandsareeon #sareenotsorry
#sadeesaree in support to the ‘Malaysia Saree Day’ campaign.
"All Malaysian Indian ladies are encouraged to wear sarees on 1 July 2016. This is in protest against the recent unfair prohibition of wearing sarees at a government function in Ipoh, Perak. Let's unite to show respect for our traditional attire." - Message on Facebook & Watsapp
This was subsequently retracted and the council
clarified that employees were not barred from wearing the saree, adding that
the words had been misinterpreted.
It also said the words “kecuali sari” (except saree)
actually meant that staff could wear a suitable saree but those on duty could
opt for a saree, working attire or any appropriate wear.
I guess the council should have been clear on the directive, even temples here have a guideline for the traditional attire you are allowed to wear, some blouses can be a little inappropriate.
Meanwhile, during the Hari Raya gathering, Mayor Datuk Zamri Man
said he was happy to see some of the ladies donning saree and even encouraged
other staff and members of the media to take pictures with them.
“The issue has been settled and
what’s more important for me is to see everyone mingling and smiling during the
gathering,” he said.
So who topped my list for rocking
in the six yards? Kollywood queen Nayanthara! (someone I sometimes steal fashion
favourites from).
At the glitzy SIIMA event which happened in Singapore
recently, Nayanthara who won the Best Actress award in Tamil for Naanum Rowdy
Thaan looked dazzling in a custom khadi. Plain and simple, topped with a chunky
statement necklace, shouts elegance. The gorgeous saree queen also won the Best Actoress award
for Naanum Rowdy Thaan in the recently concluded Filmfare Awards in Hyderabad. She
also bagged the Best Actoress award in Malayalam for her role in Bhaskar The
Rascal where she co-starred with superstar Mammootty.
Here’s some of my favourite saree
inspirations, yes I diligently check out their updates (and you should too):
Sivagama Valli - "Whenever I decide to drape a saree, it's not so much
to preach about our tradition and culture, it's honestly just to express the
love for it. There is no need justification as to why one should wear it. You
like it, you wear it. Everyday can be a saree day and that's for you as an
individual to decide. And if you don't want to wear it, so what? A person's
love and loyalty towards their roots should not be measured through an attire." She
is also behind the trending #keepcalmandsareeon hashtag on Instagram, an inspirational platform to encourage saree lovers from across
the world to celebrate the endless possibilities a saree can give. Check out
her amazing twist to the six yards, saree dress, crop top and skirts!
Deepika Shetty, the founder of Sadee (Our) Saree on
Facebook, a page that has been widely credited with the global revival of
sarees. “I was a saree virgin, seriously I was. This was the first note I wrote
in May 2013. I went for an art opening, then the movie screening and then a
drink and something happened. I don’t know whether it was the rush of my
mother’s memory, this feeling of a part of her being so close to me or the
drape or how perfectly it split my body.Perhaps it was all of it and I just
knew it – I had found love.” Share your saree love with her on Sadee Saree
Facebook page #sadeesaree
Tanya Rawal, the Indian-American professor, is
reclaiming the saree in the United States and updating the conversation
surrounding South Asian culture and immigration. "I was born in this
country, but I look illegal though," and that's why she's showing America,
through saree fashion, that we belong just as we are. Get on board with the #sareenotsorry
project, wear your saree to work and show them you are no alien when you walk the
streets!
These women are proof that you don't need a Saree Day to rock in one! So what are you waiting for? Another saree day? I hope not!
These women are proof that you don't need a Saree Day to rock in one! So what are you waiting for? Another saree day? I hope not!
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