For many, heirlooms are cherished treasures, including for Sai Pallavi Senthamarai. In a recent interview, the South Indian actor expressed her long-standing wish to win a National Award wearing a generational heirloom gifted to her by her grandmother when she was ‘very sick.’
“I always wanted a National Award because when I was around 21, my granny gave me a sari. She said, wear this for your wedding. That time, she was very sick and was undergoing surgery. That time, marriage was next on my cards. I hadn’t done my first film (Premam) yet. As I was nearing 23-24, I did Premam,” Sai told Galatta Plus, opening up about her dream to “someday win some big award.”
“The National Award is a big award, and I thought when I win the award, I will wear the sari. So, for me, the National Award is directly connected to the sari,” Sai, 32, continued.
The Amaran actor was quick to add that the appreciation and acknowledgment that pour in for her are no less than an award. “Honestly, the characters I do…and the appreciation, if people are able to feel empathy and the pain, I think that’s my job. That’s a huge thing. Whatever comes after that is just a bonus, and feel good about it.”
Taking a cue from her revelation, let’s learn more about the novelty of generational heirlooms.
According to designer Gautam Gupta, heirloom saris last a long time because they are made with durable materials that can withstand wear and tear. Reflecting on the actor’s statement, he said: “I am sure this, being her grandmother’s sari, is an emotion. Those weaves are hard to remake today, so I suggest everyone wear and reuse old treasures from our country. Our crafts are one of the country’s biggest pride.”
Any heirloom sari has an “added value of being reused irrespective of trends and seasons.” Made on manual looms with intricate weaving, they can be worn in many ways and are a timeless choice for special occasions.
He suggested tweaks to heirlooms to make them seem trendy while retaining traditional, sentimental values.
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What more?
Wearing such sentimental heirlooms offers comfort in a fast-paced and impersonal world.
Sahiba Rattan Sethi, a counselling psychologist and founder of Ummeed Healing, says such items provide a sense of grounding and can help us feel happier and more loved.
