A metaphor and a medium

An eye for the exquisite: Sonia picks the colours for her saris depending on the season | PTI Sonia carefully picks her saris to showcase her love for the traditional weaves of India Indira and Sonia chose their saris carefully, not just to suit their own tastes, but as an identity appropriate for each occasion. In the 50s and early 60s, Indira Gandhi was her father’s companion and hostess, undreamt of as a future prime minister. She was a close friend of my parents—Surayya and Badruddin Tyabji. As an Indian ambassador’s wife, my mother wore saris to raise a flag for the Indian aesthetics. Indira Gandhi, thanks to her discerning eye and impeccable taste, was often asked to select and send her some saris. By the time Indira Gandhi became prime minister, the roles were reversed and it was my mother, then chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Handloom Corporation, who was asked by her friend to select saris for her. (I occasionally see Priyanka wearing one.) In the 90s, I inherited the role of choosing saris for another Gandhi—Sonia. Indira Gandhi’s fascination for handlooms was something she and her daughter-in-law Sonia had in common. They bonded over many things, especially Indira Gandhi’s adored grandchildren, but an exquisite textile, a stunning flower arrangement, a deliciously put together meal, a painting or objet d’art, whether contemporary or traditional, drew them together in delighted appreciation. ...