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Monday, November 30, 2009

Togetherness - 1929


This is from the time when child marriage was prevalent in India. The girl looking away from the camera is my grandmother, merely twelve years old and already married! At such a tender age the understanding of marriage only meant a fun ritual to her, when the bride got laden with gold jewelery, decked-up like a princess. The other little girl, eight, in the lighter sari is my grandma's sister-in-law (grandpa’s sister). They played with dolls together, common games like Indian version of hopscotch and other native games. In little time both grew extremely fond of each other and became inseparable until the disease, Kala Azar, took away her sister in law’s life. She was just eleven.
Grandma remembered and missed her childhood companion all her life. She gave me this picture to keep when I was astonished to learn that the sari she wore for the photograph was hand woven and hand embroidered with even hand embroidered lace.
My grandmother passed away some time ago after having lived a good and a grand life. This is my tribute to her lifelong memory of friendship between two little girls from the Age of Innocence.

12 comments:

  1. what a stunning shot and a treasure to have

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  2. oh my so young to be married and yet still able to be childlike, what a treasure you have in this picture.

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  3. This is a beautiful memento and something you will treasure always.

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  4. Indeed, this is a photograph to cherish. I love to see Indian films, especially with weddings to see the brilliant saris in every color of the rainbow.

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  5. That definately is a treasure and that you know about the history. Some pictures I have I don't even know who is in them. Glad your Grandma had a grand life, twelve seems so young to be married, i love all the saris too, wow handmade. Wonderful treasure to have.

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  6. what a blessing to have the story that goes with this treasured photograph!

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  7. a treasured story behind this photo... thanks for sharing.

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  8. a beautiful legacy.
    do you know what happened to the sari?

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  9. i wish i could say its a family heirloom now but all i have is this picture of it.

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  10. So sad about your grandmother's sister in law. No wonder she kept this photo.

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  11. Their eyes really caught my attention. The story explains it all. Very touching take on the theme.

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