Deepavali will be in the next month
I have started shopping.
Not that I buy a score or a dozen
I need only one.
A saree for me, a silk
handwoven Kanchipuram
with zari traditional in design
has been my choice for years.
Last week,
I visited Kancheepuram
explored many shops, societies.
I am quality conscious too.
The salespersons in every shop
showed me sarees
grand, moderate and simple
expensive and affordable.
I take pride in my choices.
I told them.
“The colours are too dark
checks are close, design not chaste”
I set aside most.
I walked into the next shop
the owner greeted me with folded hands.
Bade, his people to show me
the new designs.
An array of sarees
were displayed with a smile.
None of them appealed to me.
I started my monologue,
“the colours are light
look dull and the motifs are bold.”
Shopped till the evening.
I walked out tired
the green I have in mind
is one that is
neither pale nor dark. I ponder.
The lines should be not threaded
but woven with zari
they should be vertical,
not horizontal. I conclude.
By chance,
I saw a leaf in a mango tree.
the exact colour I envisaged
jumped out of the car, plucked the leaf
rushed to the shop.
The Owner greeted me
this time not so cordial
I showed him the leaf
the exact colour, I want.
I shout.
He was amused.
to see me with a mango leaf.
Suppressing his laugh
told it is not possible
to bring the same in silk.
I demanded the shopkeeper to make one.
He politely refused . “You require
only one saree. It is not feasible.
The least we manufacture is three.”
He pouted his lips.
Would have made faces
at my back.
Another day of shopping
has to be undertaken
Hopefully, not this week.
Meenas Poems 