Women wearing vibrant saris walk for charity
The sari bears testament to timeless elegance and is a link to India’s rich tapestry. For many in the diaspora, the draped-and-pleated piece of classic textile has an emotional reach into their roots and what they hold dearest in their hearts—their precious and self-sacrificing mothers. Draped in a rich weave, women from across Atlanta gathered at the Saris To Suits (S2S) Annual Sari Walk to honor “Ma!” at the Webb Bridge Park in the Atlanta Metro area on May 19.
[Left] Assisting Dr. Rich McCormick in cutting the ceremonial ribbon was Tanvi Rajiv Ghangrekar of Mindful Mastery Wellness.
[Top] The multi-hued umbrellas took the vibrancy factor up a notch.
This mile-long second annual S2S Sari Walk had a mission to inspire women’s health and wellness while honoring mothers. Georgia Republican Congressman Dr. Rich McCormick served as the Guest of Honor. As soon as he cut the ceremonial red ribbon, the lush green pathways of Webb Bridge Park in Alpharetta were sparkling in delightful colors. Vibrant umbrellas in the pleasant rain added an extra splash of color in the woods with sari-clad women walking along with men and children. Others preferred to be drenched in the light rain like playful children. The upbeat cadence of women’s Dhol (drums) and Tasha led by Amruta Phadke of the Nadtal group drummed up excitement among walkers and observers.
Women in radiant saris, McCormick quipped, served as a “beacon” in the parking lot, directing him and his staff to the event venue in the hiking trails of the 109-acre Alpharetta park. “It is always a pleasure to be among people who are seeking their best mentally, physically, and spiritually... who see what the real answer to life is, and it’s these relationships we form that make us healthy,” he remarked.
[Right] Founder Patti Tripathi with board members Lakshmi Mandavilli, Jyothsna Hegde, and Mary Annamaraju (missing Shinjini Das).
Assisting the ER physician- turned-legislator in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to begin the 1.4-mile walk was Tanvi Rajiv Ghangrekar of Mindful Mastery Wellness. “I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the incredible work you do at Saris to Suits. Your efforts are making a positive impact on the lives of so many women,” said Ghangrekar.
Founder Pratibha “Patti” Tripathi and the members of the executive board draped empowerment saris in various hues with descriptive words in Hindi and English about the plethora of roles played by women. “Athletic,” “Sporty,” and “Fit & Free” are not words or phrases commonly used to describe traditional women of Indian origin, but Tripathi noted that these are crucial for work-life balance and to look and feel the best. “Every sari tells a story. My mom had this sari which had silver strands within—which had been passed down from hers and now to my sister and I. Post her passing, I drape myself in those memories,” said Jyothsna Hegde, S2S Chair of the Board.
Dedicated to mothers everywhere and generally held close to Mother’s Day, the S2S Sari Walk this year also paid tribute to 18-year-old students who lost their lives in a car accident the same week in Alpharetta: Anvi Sharma, Sriya Avasarala, and Aryan Joshi. A moment of silence was observed in the memory of the teens whose full potential sadly would never be realized, and as a dedication to their mothers whose lives will never be the same.
[Left] Dhol and tasha by NADTAL at the event.
Just as the skies cleared and the sun peeked through the trees, a bright and beautiful team of women led by Hetal Mehta, with announcer Bhrushira Vyas, made its way to the trail from the parking lot. Themed “Unity in Diversity,” an original Bollywood-style and traditional dance performance, wowed the onlookers with its montage of dance routines tied to tunes and regional attire.
“The shift from saris to suits (East to West) can be a significant cultural and professional milestone, and that is what the S2S Walk signifies: a cultural exchange and adaptation, professional identity and empowerment, fashion and style evolution, and breaking barriers and stereotypes,” said Tripathi, who founded the nonprofit to honor her mother and with a vision to empower, inspire, educate, and serve.
[Right] Women came together in vibrant saris.
The community mingled as women cheerfully sipped hot coffee with delicious bagels, fruit, and healthy nourishments. Henna designs on hand were popular beneath the covered and shaded cabana.
| Remember, we have new Website Bonus Features that are not in the print magazine. Every time you see the W symbol in the print magazine, you can go to our website to see additional print or audiovisual material! |
|
Submitting your report for consideration in Around Town Please send post event reports for consideration in the Around Town section to AroundTown@khabar.com. Publication of reports is based on several criteria including the volume of reports submitted for a given issue. Guidelines for the reports are on our website at http://www.khabar.com/magazine/around-town/guidelines_for_submitting_reports_to_around_town. Deadline: 15th of each month—for consideration in the following month. However, chances of inclusion are better if reports are received well in advance of the deadline – where possible, e.g. within 3-7 days of the event.
|
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
