FREE BIRD I – HANDWOVEN PURE KATAN GOLANI BALUCHARI SAREE

They say mythology is not only about the old stories but it is about the belief contained in them. The beliefs when narrated to us in an interesting way, build our value systems.
This one of a kind Baluchori depicts such a story that is long forgotten but conveys an immensely powerful message.
This is a story of prince Siddhartha, who would change the world as Gautam Buddha in his later life. It is woven so beautifully that we were spellbound by the fineness of the work, which almost resembled a painting. The technique used here is ‘Golani’ and the story goes like this –

One morning Prince Siddhartha and his cousin Devadatta, went for a walk in the woods. Siddhartha pointed out a swan flying in the sky to Devadatta. Before Siddhartha could stop him, Devadatta shot an arrow at it.
Struck by the arrow, the bird went down. Both the boys ran towards it. Siddhartha was the first to reach the spot. He picked up the bird, gently removed the arrow, and nursed its wound. Just then Devadatta reached the spot. “Give me the bird, it’s mine,” said Devadatta. Siddharth refused to part with the bird. Devadatta took his cousin to court for justice.
“I shot the arrow and brought the bird down. It belongs to me,” said Devadatta.
“I nursed its wound,” said Siddhartha.
The judge looked at the bird Siddhartha was holding.
“Had the bird been killed by your arrow, you could have claimed it,” said the judge. “But Siddhartha saved it. The bird belongs to the one who saved it, and not to the one who tried to kill it,” said the wise judge.
By that time the wound had healed, and the bird had fully recovered. Siddhartha went out and let the bird go. “The bird is free. It belongs to no one,” said Siddhartha as he watched the swan fly high in the air.
So relevant in today’s world isn’t it? When will a day come when all humans and creatures will be set free in our planet.. free from the exploitation of greedy power mongers?
A story to ponder over… a saree to treasure forever…
Saree length 6.3 mts including blouse piece