UK-based Khandua Saree-clad Marathon-runner Odia Lady

Yes, one can run the full distance of the Marathon wearing a Saree!

A UK-based marathon-enthusiast woman, Ms Madhusmita Jena Das, proved this when she ran the Manchester Marathon dressed in a traditional Khandua Saree last Sunday i.e. on 16th April 2023.

This week, we first got to see this smiling Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Odia lady participating in a Marathon and conquering hearts.

Madhusmita Jena Das’s marathon participation images and videos are now viral.

Khandua or Sambalpuri? Sab Chalta Hai?

UK-based marathon-runner Odia woman, Ms Madhusmita Jena Das, ran the Manchester Marathon dressed in a traditional Khandua Saree last Sunday i.e. on 16th April 2023.

Her marathon participation images and videos are now viral. She has earned praise for her beautiful traditional Khandua silk Saree that she had worn while participating in the Manchester Marathon.

Misrepresentation of Her Saree

Those who have followed this news or search it online will find that- the name of her saree has been shared by most as “Sambalpuri”.

Sambalpuri is a type of Bandha Kala or art of tie-and-dye i.e. Ikat handloom being woven in some districts of western Odisha, India.

However, Madhusmita Jena Das’s saree is not a Sambalpuri Saree.

Rather, it is a Khandua Saree.

Source: The News Insight on Twitter- https://twitter.com/TNITweet/status/1649012126525054977?s=20

Vocal For Local - President Droupadi Murmu

Today is a such a momentous day for our India!

We proudly welcome a great and truly deserving woman to the top office. An emotional moment for all of us.

Smt. Droupadi Murmu, an educated, dedicated, resilient, empowered and inspiring woman, has been sworn in as our country's fifteenth President.

She is our country's First Citizen and the commander-in-chief of Army, Navy, and Air Force.

She is a symbol & triumph of hope, courage, sustainability, humility, and the power of education.

Her entire career and life's story is so inspiring. Despite personal loss and having lost both her sons and husband, she never gave up.

She continued working for social causes like a true karamveer.

Odisha Handloom Saree Representation - Budget 2022

The annual Budget session in India (and in other parts of the globe too) is keenly awaited, analyzed, and discussed. Many eager eyes are glued to the screens. Experts and media, sharing the views of all categories, are consulted and represented. Popular newspapers, especially business dailies, are referred and quoted.

Let us take a leading financial daily, The Economic Times (ET), for example. ET has published many articles about the Budget. Many non-subscribers also purchase copies of the newspapers to better understand the Budget.

Even the quotes used by the Finance Minister in her Budget speech find discussion-

In her shortest-ever Budget speech, Nirmala Sitharaman invokes ‘Mahabharata’, says tax collection in line with ‘dharma’ :

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/in-her-shortest-ever-budget-speech-nirmala-sitharaman-invokes-mahabharata-says-tax-collection-in-line-with-dharma/articleshow/89271422.cms

While the current Budget’s speech quote references are written about, past Budget quotes are also shared as has been done in the news reports published this year.

Budget 2022 - Odisha Handloom Bomkai Saree with Sambalpuri Bandha

There is an Odia saying that translated into English means- “What the mind thinks/wishes, it may receive the same.”

Today, I have ample reasons to be grateful, rejoice and celebrate wish fulfilment.

It was Budget Day and I have been sincerely wishing that our Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitaraman, would wear an Odisha Handloom Saree while presenting the budget!

Lo and behold! Imagine my surprise, pride, and happiness to see Madam dressed in one!

Nirmala Madam has often stated her love for handlooms, and she boasts of a great Saree collection– many of which are the handlooms of Odisha. She had worn a Sambalpuri Bandha Saree for her first day as Finance Minister.

Do you know the name of the Saree worn by Nirmala Ma'am today for the #Budget2022 speech?

It is a type of Odisha Handloom. But, what is the name of the type of Saree?

It is a Bomkai Saree with Sambalpuri Bandha motifs on aanchal.

Real Weaver of The Maths Saree

A "Maths Saree" was in the news recently. There are mathematical symbols and equations all over.

Padma Shri actress Vidya Balan had worn it for the promotion of her Hindi movie- Shakuntala Devi.

If you are a handloom lover, you would not have missed this news as it brought a smile to many faces.

#SambalpuriBandha Saree has #GITag. @vidya_balan wearing #Sambalpuri #OrissaIkat Maths Sari shares video msg for our weavers. #ShakuntalaDevi 🎥 #VocalForLocal @CimGOI @CIPAM_India @cgpdtm_india @DIPPGOI #OdishaGI #GIsofIndia #KnowYourGI #LetsTalkIPhttps://t.co/2xaDWUbzrz

— Odita Trust (@OditaTrust) July 30, 2020

The Sambalpuri Saree connection with Team Vidya Balan had been done by my sister, Amrita Sabat, through our brand Utkalamrita of our company Sabat Exports Pvt. Ltd. Information about the Saree - weaver's name from whom Saree was sourced, village name, district name, and other technical details of the Saree had been shared. Amrita had also requested their team to share a video message for our weavers, which Vidya Balan graciously heeded. 

Lovely Bomkai Saree And Fabrics #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Odisha has a variety of unique handlooms. As per records, handloom weaving in Odisha goes back to 600 BC.

Some of the Odisha handicrafts including handlooms have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag. You can read about them here- Fabrics And Sarees Of Odisha with the GI Tag.

While many saree lovers know the name of Sambalpuri saree, the other names are not that well known. Do you know about "Bomkai Sarees and Fabrics"?

Bomkai is the name of a village in Ganjam district in southern Odisha in India. 

It lends its name to the 'Bomkai Saree and Fabrics'.

Bomkai Saree & Fabrics are a GI of Odisha.  

Bomkai Saree is a handloom saree from Odisha, India that originated in Bomkai, Ganjam district. Bomkai Saree has rich traditional floral, ornamental and attractive designs and motifs like flowers (Kanthiphula, Atasi, Bitter gourd, Lotus etc), birds, deer, fish, damru, dancing dolls, tortoise, creepers etc. Rows of Kumbha (temple spires) are favourite border motifs.

Kotpad Handloom Fabric #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Kotpad is the name of a village in Koraput district in southern Odisha in India. 
It lends its name to 'Kotpad Handloom'. 
Kotpad Handloom Fabrics are vegetable-dyed fabrics woven by the tribal weavers of Kotpad. 

Kotpad is Odisha's first Geographical Indication (GI).  

Many generations of talented tribal weavers (Mirgana caste) of Kotpad village have been weaving these natural handloom fabrics from centuries. 

Ikat or Bandha of Odisha - Orissa Ikat #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Ikat is a Malay word that is derived from the word "Mangikat" that means to bind, knoot or wind round. Ikat is a process of tie-and-dye weaving of handlooms. There are different names of Ikat available in different regions of India some of which have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag viz.- Pochampally Ikat in Telangana, Patan Patola in Gujarat etc.

Orissa Ikat refers to the Ikat made in Odisha. 
It is also called “Bandha kala" in Odisha. Bandha means Ikat and kala means art.

Watch how Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik uses Orissa Ikat to demonstrate making his own mask and to be safe during this Coronavirus pandemic.

Thanks @sudarsansand for using the #Ikat #handloom cloth of #Odisha #OrissaIkat to #MakeYourOwnMask 🙏

Bright, colourful, breathable & doable 👍
Everyone must join the #MaskIndia movement. https://t.co/TDFWWr9HLs

— anitaexplorer (@anitaexplorer) April 10, 2020

Orissa Ikat is a GI of Odisha, India. 
Grouping of threads for tying and dying in Orissa Ikat is carried out in minimum two and maximum four threads, which technique is not used in any other Ikat of India.

Type: Handicraft

GI Application# 22

Certificate Date: 2/6/2005 

Odisha state's name's spelling has been changed in 2011.

As the Geographical Indications (GI) Application was filed in 2005, thus it is referred as Orissa Ikat. 
The old spelling of Odisha i.e. Orissa is a part of the GI name as Odisha state's name change from Orissa to Odisha was done six years after filing the GI application.

Habaspuri Saree And Fabrics #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia #AToZChallenge

"Habaspuri" is named after the village of Habaspur in Kalahandi district in Odisha, where it originated.  Habaspuri is a cotton-based traditional handloom textile of Odisha. 

These are handwoven by the skilled tribal weavers of Habaspur. Presently, the places of production have increased- Chicheiguda village in Junagarh Block, Baladimal, Chakuli, and nearby places of Kalahandi district of Odisha. Habaspuri saree is used as a ceremonial bridal saree by the local people. 

Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree And Joda #OdishaGI #AToZChallenge

Odisha has a variety of handlooms. As per records, handloom weaving in Odisha goes back to 600 BC. Some of the Odisha handlooms have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.

You can read about them here- Handlooms of Odisha.

While many saree lovers know the name of Sambalpuri saree, the other names are not that well known.

Have you heard of "Berhampur Phoda Kumbha Patta and Joda"? 

Berhampur is my native place. It is called the silk city of Odisha. The silk sarees of Berhampur are much in demand, especially for marriage purposes.

According to the Orissa District Gazetteer, Ganjam 1995, the craft of silk-weaving was introduced in Berhampur in the 14th Century AD by the Mohuri Kings.

Unique Monkey Play Pics

A few weeks ago, we visited the Maa Tara Tarini Temple in Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha, India.

We were treated to a unique sight.

Some monkeys had united to play together.

They had managed to catch hold of a Saree (an Indian costume worn by ladies).

They were finding the yellow Saree a precious plaything & a useful source of enjoyment!


It was evening and the light was fading.

Still, I couldn't resist myself & clicked some pics.