It was an unusual sight at Salt Lake on Sunday, March 12, morning. More than 3,000 sari-clad women of all ages gathered near the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan to participate in a unique initiative called Saree Run.
A successful seven-year run in Bengaluru later, the event was held in Kolkata for the first time this year.
The participants were required to walk, jog or run in either of two categories — 3 kilometres or 5 kilometres — wearing a sari. “The sole objective is to create awareness and motivate ladies to take up fitness, in any way possible,” said an organiser, adding that the initiative is also aimed at helping women overcome social discomfort and break stereotypes in embracing fitness.
From a mother with a baby in a carrier and mothers with their little daughters, both in saris, to elderly women in their fifties and sixties — it was a happy mix of people.
It felt good to see many elderly women, in their 50s and even their 60s, taking part as well. Participants came in saris of all hues and varieties, many took the effort to wear their own traditional drapes — the Bengali aatpoure style, Maharashtrian style, seedha palla and more. Some wore saris over track pants. There were women in sari and hijab, too.
Shabana Roze Chowdhury, gynaecologist and public health specialist, came to know about The Saree Run from a friend’s social media post. “I immediately found it interesting. I think the idea promotes our tradition and also breaks shackles in a way. When one thinks of running or walking, it’s always in track pants or shorts but running in a sari seemed like a new idea,” said the 47-year-old.
‘I think the idea promotes our tradition and also breaks shackles in a way,’ said Shabana Roze Chowdhury
The participants were asked to report to the venue around 6am. The run started at 6.30am after a short warm-up session.
This is not the first time Tanuka Dasgupta, a 40-year-old gynaecologist who is into yoga and gym, has taken part in a run but this was special because it required her to run in a sari. “It was a great initiative. I went there with a few of my colleagues and on reaching the venue, I found so many people there from all age groups. It was truly inspiring,” said Tanuka, who wore her favourite green mulmul sari and completed the 3km stretch in 40 minutes.
‘I found so many people from all age groups. It was truly inspiring,’ said Tanuka Dasgupta
For Chowdhury, it was a busy day but she made up her mind to take the effort. “I woke up at 5am to get dressed in a sari I had selected the night before. It had to be something comfortable and easy to drape. So, I picked this onion pink tussar that I bought some time ago. I wore it for the first time, after all it was an occasion to remember. I went there with a friend but on reaching the venue and found many other known faces,” she said.
Saba Rahman, a 37-year-old homemaker, participated to get some free time for herself. “I wanted to have fun. For a homemaker, it is difficult to find time without children and a husband. The event was exactly the way I thought it would be. With all the participants, I had a wonderful time,” said Rahman, who wore a green Lucknow chikan sari and was really comfortable running in it.
‘The event was exactly the way I thought it would be. With all the participants, I had a wonderful time,’ said Saba Rahman
Soma Datta, a 47-year-old gynaecologist, however, wears a sari to work every day. She is into regular walking and is thinking of starting to run after participating in today’s 3km run. “I wore a red tussar shibori. I had a great time there because so many women were there doing the same thing. I felt that I was not alone and it was a beautiful feeling,” she said.
‘I had a great time there because so many women were there doing the same thing. I felt that I was not alone,’ said Soma Datta