British Women in Sarees partnered with Uma Global to celebrate the cultural and heritage of India through music, dance, and the timeless elegance of the saree in the heart of New York City at Times Square with a first-ever Saree Goes Global event over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Following internationally acclaimed events such as the Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day, Saree Walkathons at London’s Trafalgar Square, Venice Masquerade Festival, Tulip Gardens of Holland and hot air balloons in Turkey, the group headed for Times Square in New York for their latest iteration of the Saree Walkathon. Hundreds of participants signed up for the celebration of the cultural diversity and craftsmanship of the local artisans of rural India.
The event was the culmination of the collaborative efforts of British Women in Sarees from the UK and Uma Global in New York, along with the support of several local cultural and community groups across the NY Tri-state area and the UK.
The theme was around Mile Sur Mera Tumhara – or uniting your tunes with mine to create a perfect harmony. It saw the bond of the saree unite diaspora representatives from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, Trinidad, Guyana, the UK and US in a unique parade as a show of solidarity to heal the world. The walkathon took place to the tunes of We Shall Overcome and We Are the World, We Are the Children and involved the formation of a human chain of unity.
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The event started with a “Saree Goes Global” banner being paraded through Times Square on the beats of the dhol. Besides women, some men also sported sarees in a show of solidarity towards the cause of supporting the weavers and crafts people behind the delicate weaves of the saree.
Dr Dipti Jain, working for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and chair of the British Women in Sarees group, and Dr Rita Kakati-Shah, president of the philanthropic venture Uma Global, oversaw this cross-country vibrant saree splash which is likely to become a regular feature over time.
