There is something intriguing about a sari that no woman, no matter her religious persuasions, can ever really deny particularly after feasting her eyes on what has been the traditional garb of Indian women for ages.
Maybe it is the appealing way in which the sari is wrapped about the female form; how it celebrates the natural contours of any woman — plus size or carrot-stick thin — and the gracefulness it gives a woman. Simply put, the sari is fantastic, stunning and so flattering that it is even worn by women who are neither Hindu nor Indian.
There are a lot of intricate details in a sari; some of the more glamorous ones are pure artistry. Without question, there is a certain level of ignorance about the sari outside the local Hindu community, which is why the idea of resuscitating the Sari pageant seemed so ingenious. Finally, Guyanese women without any clue about the apparel would get a chance to see it displayed and also understand how important it is to the Indian culture. Naturally, there would have been controversy; pageants seem to thrive on it.
Perhaps it was the feel of something different that catapulted the sari pageant to live broadcast status on Saturday night last. Or was it the advertising power of GT&T? Whatever it was, the women deserved a national audience. Of them all, Ramona Arjune stood out as the female who displayed her sari so well the others looked like they were playing catch-up all night, and hers was a sari to fall in love with every time you looked at it.
Why Arjune was not among the top finishers is baffling given that she had the best display and that she capably answered her question. She was also the most eloquent. However, the eventual winner, Devi Ramcharitar, did look the part all night.
What was refreshing too, was to see a new breed of beauty queens, young women who exuded confidence, a keen religious spirit and a certain level of consciousness that you would expect from those vying to be ambassadors.
As important as the concept of the pageant was, it was also about the Guyanese woman who can comfortably compete with her peers on a stage that requires more than a pretty face and an expensive sari. By no means were all of the young women as empowered as described, but there were more in that line-up than are regularly seen on a local stage at any one time. Apart from Arjune and Ramcharitar, there were Anupa Outar and Alana Persaud – young women who stood on the stage, owned it, and can easily share any other with the same amount of competitive spirit.
To say that there are too many pageants in this under populated country of ours is like saying that Christmas will fall on December 25 this year — a known fact. But the numbers hardly speak for quality, though you would think that after so many attempts somebody would get it right. The Sari pageant almost did (though almost does not count). With a little more preparation and some tolerable entertainment acts, someone, some time soon, we hope, might just get there. (thescene@stabroeknews.com)
