Feeling like a Queen in Maheshwari

After a long day at work, I was settling onto the family room couch, deciding what to watch on Netflix, when the hubby asked from the kitchen, "what does cure mean?"

The hubby speaks superb English ....so his question baffled me, but I didn't want to judge, so I turned in his direction and responded, "It means to fix an ailment."

He shook his head and said, "I didn't say cure. I said ......CURE."

Confused, I said, "I know you THINK you said two different words, but you actually just said the SAME word TWICE."

Then he continued, "I am saying cure ....CURE ....CUre ....C U R E... CURE!"

(Basically, he kept saying 'cure' in many different ways.)

((AND all the ways sounded the same.))

I kept giving him the "huh?" look.

Eventually, he walked over to the TV and pointed to the screen where "Queer Eye" was written, and he said ....."this .... CURE" while he showed the word "Queer."

Thankful that the mystery was finally solved, I said, "oh, you mean Queer?"

He said, "yes, CURE."

I shook my head and smiled, "no, it is Queer ...like Queen but with an 'EAR' at the end."

He responded, "oh ok ....CURE?"

Then we went back and forth -

Me chanting, "Queer ....like Queen.'

Him replying sincerely, 'so like... cure?"

This went on for a while --

In the end, I started saying "Queen" like "Cune!"

Imagine when I meet the Queen and address her as Cune instead!

She will think I am so queer

.....or is it CURE?

Though - growing up, मेरी (my) mummy always indicated that I was actually a 'queen' myself,

... but I always thought it odd that this reminder came in the form of the question -

"toh tum kahan ki Maharani ho?" (Where are you the Queen of?)

The question baffled me -

Considering she is my mom, I thought she should know which kingdom belonged to me.

But obviously, she did not.

And she would constantly ask, "Kahan ki Maharani ho?"

... I always thought maybe she was hoping I had finally figured out the answer.

This question always seemed to follow a complaint that I had not -

done my laundry,

or,

taken my dinner plate to the sink after our meal,

or -

completed this or that chore around the house.

I assumed she wanted to know which kingdom was mine so she could summon my staff from there to take care of these errands for me

Sadly she still does not know, and I still have not figured out my kingdom...

I feel bad whenever I think of my kingdom missing its Queen. One day I hope we find each other ...(fingers crossed),

until then, I will continue to do my own chores AND wear saris that make me feel like I am Queen -

This week's featured Sari: Handwoven Maheshwari

Last week I was strategic in wearing this sari to a theatrical production of the musical SIX. The show is about the six wives of King Henry VIII. Since this show was about Queens, I wanted to wear a sari that had ties to a Queen -- so I selected Maheshwari.

The Maheshwari sari originated in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh (India), in the 18th century.

At that time, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar was a beloved ruler of that land ....she knew her kingdom, and they loved her!

Queen Ahilyabai Holkar is known for many great deeds - including the creation of the Maheshwari sari. It is believed that she had commissioned artisans from Surat and Malwa to design unique saris to give to royal guests. It is thought that she personally designed the first sari that was made. These saris became known as Maheshwari saris after the city they originated in.

I sincerely wish my kingdom (when I find it!) is next to hers ...because it sounds like she would be an excellent and generous neighbor!

Simplicity is the grace of these saris ...which carry linear patterns and few motifs. The body of these saris has traditionally been solid colors, and the border is embellished with zari (we go over zari in detail here ... in case you need a refresher), though I have heard it called kinari in the Maheshwari design. The borders are unique in that they are reversible, so they can be worn on both sides - this is called bugdi.

At the time of Indian Independence, these saris were losing their appeal, and mill-made products were gaining popularity. The Maheshwari sari almost went extinct, which I now realize happens in the land of fabrics and sari designs. Then in the 1970s, Richard Shivaji Rao Holkar and Sally Holkar created Rehwa, a non-profit organization located in the Fort of Maheshwar. Rehwa holds itself accountable to the ideals of sustaining handweaving traditions, empowering women weavers, and providing housing, healthcare, and education to the weavers. Those efforts revived the Maheshwari weave so that they continue to be enjoyed by many such as myself!

Well, I am off to find that missing kingdom of mine ...

See you all next week!

Love, Sari Sunday