A #Saris_A2Z

#Saris_A2Z features its first sari, an Assam silk. 

This sari belonged to my mother, and hence is very special to me. She bought it from Kaziranga and back then in Assam, it was popularly known as Kaziranga sari. The texture is very soft.

Growing up in Assam, I was fortunate to see the ladies putting the bamboo poles and weave saris outdoors. As our mums (non Assamese) would knit sweaters in the winters, the Assamese ladies would sing songs, gather in groups and weave saris. 

A sight still etched vividly in my mind.

A bit of Wikipedia gyan on the sari starting with letter 'A'....

Assam silk  is the indigenous wild silk produced in Assam. Pat silk is produced by Bombyx textor silkworms which feed on mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves. It is usually brilliant white or off-white in colour. Its cloth can dry in shadow. The Assam silk industry, now centered in Sualkuchi, is a labor-intensive industry. 

The backdrop for this picture is a beautiful Buddhist temple on Geylang Road. 

#iluvsaris @demuredrapes

As shared by Rakhi Gupta ...

"With A I want to add in the name of a sari which is very rare and almost extinct, Ashavali..

Ahmedabad known as center for textile manufacturer since early times, was known as Ashaval, hence the name Ashavali sari.

The sari resembles a Benarasi Brocade, and is sometimes called Ahmedabadi Brocade. The difference from the Benarsi sari lies in the way the butis of the Ashavali look embossed, giving it a three-dimensional effect as the butis are woven in the warp unlike in other saris where these are woven in the weft. 

At the end of 80s Ashavali saris became almost extinct. No one was weaving Ashavali any more."

As shared by Rakhi Agarwal...

"Letter A is also for Ajrakh. As seen in the picture, the sari I am wearing is an ajrakh. ajrakh is a name given to a unique form of block print saris found in Kutch, Gujarat; and Barmer, Rajasthan. These saris display special designs and patterns made using block printing by stamps. Common colours used while making these patterns may include but are not limited to blue, red, black, yellow and green. Over the years, ajrakhs

have become a symbol of the Sindhi culture and traditions.

#12- 50 Sari Shades of Singapore..

12th star to shine bright today, in '50 Sari Shades of Singapore' for #DemuReDot @Demure Drapes, is Ritu Patro. Boat Quay was Ritu's preferred choice as Singapore landmark, offsetting her beautiful black sari. 

Ritu's ode for Singapore50  in her words....

"Taking a stroll down memory lane reminisces me of the time my family and I relocated to Singapore on the 6th of February in 1993. Ever since, Singapore has grown leaps and bounds for being recognized as just a small red dot on the world map. I now proudly call it my home. It's amalgamation of cultures and people, who love their food as much as they love everything else. A series of local mouthwatering feasts throughout the day, together with indulging in the national pastime - shopping, is what a typical day looks like in the life of a true Singaporean. Our family business involves running a chain of fine dining restaurants, named Kinara, that caters Northern Indian cuisine to the Singaporean community. The most iconic location of one of our restaurants is at Boat Quay, by the Singapore River, a place where one can witness the development and prosperity of Singapore."

 Boat Quay, a river embankment on the Singapore River, is one of the oldest and most historical areas in the Central Region. From early times, and for more than 150 years, warehouses thriving with economic activity, lined the banks of North and South Boat Quay. Many of these original buildings have been preserved, and are now places of entertainment. Boat Quay offers an eclectic mix of high end restaurants and alfresco dining and lively bars and pubs.  It is a favourite place to “chill out” for most professionals and expatriates.

https://www.facebook.com/demuredrapes/posts/760388407391724:0

#3 - '50 Sari Shades of Singapore'

'50 Sari Shades of Singapore' is an ode, on the 50th anniversary of Singapore, via #DemuReDot @Demure Drapes.
3rd lady in a Sari for this segment, is charming Smita. In her words
"Staying here for past 5 years . Here is a gist of what I feel about this little red dot called
S-secured 
I -inspiring & innovative
N- nurturing
G-Garden city
A -awesome
P -people 
O - organized
R- rewarding
E - exceptional
And now this is what I call home"
Her favorite spot on this island are the super trees. These unique trees of up to 16 storeys in height can be found all around the Gardens by the Bay, twelve at the Supertree Grove, while the remaining six are placed in clusters of threes at the Golden and Silver Gardens.
Each Supertree is a vertical garden supporting a range of ferns, vines, orchids and other plants, which creep over the towering, purple skeletal structures. The Supertree is designed to mimic the function of a real tree, with photovoltaic cells to echo photosynthesis and contribute energy to run the park. The trees also collect water during Singapore's frequent heavy rains and channel it throughout the park wherever irrigation or fountains are needed. Some are also used as exhaust flues for the Gardens' underground biomass boilers.

https://www.facebook.com/demuredrapes/posts/756277191136179:0

#2 - '50 Sari Shades of Singapore'

50 Sari Shades of Singapore, is an ode on the 50th anniversary of Singapore via ‪#‎DemuReDot‬ Demure Drapes. 

2nd in the series is Sudeshna Banerjee. She shares her beautiful demure drapes moments from Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple.

Sudeshna adds her ode to Singapore's 50th..

"It was 1995,when I had landed for the first time in Sg for my family vacation  & as luck would have been it ended up moving their with my entire family in 2005. The lion city impressed us as soon as we laid our eyes on it from the fabulous infrastructures to being probably one of the cleanest cities of the world.There is no other country apart from Singapore where you can feel this safe ever if you are returning at the eerie hours of the night.In addition to all these Sg is known to be a shopping paradise where you can splurge away!Singapore will always have a special place in my heart & my best wishes for the lion city's 50th Birthday.Hope this country keeps prospering like this always & the Red Dot always keeps on shining away!"

The Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple dates back to the 1850s, when a stone statue of Lord Vinayagar washed up on the bank of a nearby stream.An attap hut was built to house the statue and in 1929, it was replaced by a temple for the Ceylon Tamil community.
Chinese Buddhist Priscilla Chow designed the new look of the temple, with temple artists from India.
The temple's unique Musical Pillar produces different notes when tapped.
One of the temple's unique features are the four granite pillars carved with the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha..
Info source about the temple, the straits times...

#18 - '50 Sari Shades of SIngapore'

18th star in the constellation of '50 Sari Shades of Singapore', section of the segment ‪#‎DemuReDot‬@Demure Drapes, is a really beautiful star, Ruksheen.
For the beautiful red Gara Ruksheen wore for the photo session, the location chosen was apt, a jewel in the crown of Singapore Tourism, Night Safari...

Ruksheen writes her ode to Singapore50 in the following words..

"My family moved to Singapore in 2007! Since then it's been like home. Wonderful people, wonderful infrastructure & a government that knows how to respect & look after it's people.

The Night Safari is my favourite attraction coz it's not tiring & loads of fun. The fire dance at the entrance, the Creatures of the Night show, the tram ride showing various animals & the perfect end at Bongo Burger!!!

I am wearing a traditional Parsi Gara sari! I love these saris coz of the intricate embroidery designs."

The Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo.
The Night Safari currently houses over 2,500 animals representing over 130 species, of which 38% are threatened species. As dusk falls, the shutters open at the Night Safari.

 — with Ruksheen Aga at Night Safari, Singapore.
https://www.facebook.com/demuredrapes/posts/766233986807166:0

#21 - '50 Sari Shades of Singapore'

 21st star to shine in '50 Sari Shades of Singapore', in #DemuReDot @Demure Drapes, is Chaya...

Holland Village is one of her favorite haunts. Hence it was the perfect Singapore landmark for Chaya...

Her ode to Singapore50 in her words....

"I wish singapore a very happy 50th Birthday. My first visit to Singapore was 1993. Needless to say I fell in love with the 'Garden City'... I have been living here for the past five years and I have enjoyed each and every day of my stay here and look forward to spending many more wonderful years.

Singapore is cosmopolitan society where people live harmoniously and interact with different races harmoniously. 

I love to have food at Holland village, it's one of my favorite places in Singapore. I love the cozy atmosphere of this bustling place. It still maintains the old charm while embracing modernity. One can find all kind of restaurants and pubs in holland village. Especially in the evening roads are closed and restaurants extend their boundary up to road. It's a good place to laze around, relax during weekend."

Holland Village, a neighbourhood, is a popular shopping and dining destination for younger Singaporeans and expatriates, it is dominated by and often visited solely for its eateries. It is often referred to as "Holland V". Holland Road Shopping Centre is a treasure trove of ethnic-inspired arts and crafts.

https://www.facebook.com/demuredrapes/posts/765575646873000:0

#20 '50 Sari Shades of Singapore'

#20 in '50 Sari Shades of Singapore', a part of #DemuReDot @Demure Drapes, is shining bright as her name 'Neelam'. The place best suited for this majestic beauty, none other than 'The Fullerton'...

Neelam's ode to Singapore50...

"'Somethings should never change'

I used to visit this beautiful Island quite often, though only for a day or two during my short stint in flying, some 20 years ago. Inspite of having seen big and advanced cities of the world, Singapore remained my favourite, primarily because it gave me a feeling of a 'Home away from Home'. Being a strict vegetarian,  I never had to hunt for a vegetarian joint even back then.

When we got transfered here in 2008, I was more than happy and excited to ultimately be able to fulfil my dream of making Singapore, my home:) I found that the warmth, hospitality and simplicity of the people of this country had not changed over time. The safe and secure environment,  efficient transportation system,  global cuisine on offer (and many more ) are as good as ever!

However,  some aspects  where Singapore did change has brought it to the forefront of the world. I learnt more about it when my daughter was doing a school project on 'The past and present of Singapore ' and I was amazed to see the rapid growth path of this great country.  I bow my head in respect to the esteem builders of this nation.

I am delighted to be a part of paying tribute on SG50 in this unique way and to show case Fullerton Hotel, a 5 star luxury hotel, which was originally the 'General Post Office Building ' , officially opened by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 1st January   2001. 

Drapped in a Tussar silk  with hand painted spring flowers depict Singapore 's blooming on its 50th anniversary.  I think it will be correct to say:

'Singapore does not have gardens in the city

Singapore is THE city in A garden!!!'

Happy 50th Birthday Singapura!"

Once home to the General Post Office, The Singapore Club and the Chamber of Commerce, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is a luxury hotel with 400 rooms and suites carefully designed to provide both business and leisure travellers with a sanctuary of serenity and comfort in which to retreat and rejuvenate.

With a dynamic central Singapore hotel location in the heart of the financial and arts districts, the hotel successfully blends rich heritage with contemporary style.

Info source: http://fullertonhotel.mobilehotelier.com/smartphone/