Many of the dhotis, especially gifted during such special occasions, are the longer ones worn in the ‘panchkatcham’ style. So how to use them in day-to-day life? And how many can one use? These dhotis cannot be tied in the normal fashion either. I have also had the opportunity of gifting such dhotis and saris and also receiving them. Over a period of time, I don’t know how many I might have collected. Just before my second son’s wedding, I decided to have a ‘dhoti’ count. I took the large suitcase and opened it with some trepidation. The brilliant idea was I would recycle them by using them as gifts during the wedding to whomever I had to gift. The moment I opened the suitcase, a wonderfully and delightfully pungent smell floated up into the nostrils. Even my sinusitis could not prevent the unpleasant smell from reaching my brain. Even before I had the tiniest bit of time to cover my nose, both my wife and I started sneezing. The all-pervading dust and maybe even dust mites had cozily settled down in the grand collection of dhotis I had managed to not-so-safe-keep.

Had they been in good condition, maybe I could have thought of opening a temporary ‘shop’ selling dhotis at an attractive discount and made a fortune. I was late, as I am used to in such matters.

I can’t wear them. I cannot even give them as recycled gifts, though I am pretty sure the receiver will always have this doubt in mind. Because I used to have similar doubts. I cannot wash them because nobody will accept washed clothes as a donation. So, we caught hold of people we thought might require a few dhotis at least and would make use of them and after telling them the situation, donated the lot.

It is another matter that this now-boasting empty suitcase was filled up again with such dhotis. The ladies have no issues because they always use the saris. The question arises, why not gift something useful? Maybe a shirt, pant, or even a gift voucher, or maybe even not gift at all.

Breaking traditions requires courage, understanding, and practical thinking. Recently, I had an occasion to attend a sixtieth birthday celebration of a nephew. Does this not give you the indication of how archaic I have become? Anyway, I heard him telling somebody, "What will I do with these dhotis if those are the gifts I am going to receive?" So, we decided to give him a gift voucher. When I opened the return gift he had given, what do you think I would find?

Nothing other than a dhoti and sari.

So, it goes on…

Continued in 279 - Who and What - The Gift Book - Part 1