Is the saree going the way of the kimono?

A couple of days ago there were pictures of famous actresses at the Filmfare Awards in the Times of India. I couldn't help noticing the fact that all of them were wearing evening gowns similar to those worn by actresses at the Oscars. I know that Bollywood copies Hollywood, but come on, not one came dressed in a saree/salwar, and wearing a bindi.

In Hindi movies, there is a trend of heroines wearing Westernised outfits and not wearing the bindi at all. Complementing this, most have their hair dyed to a light brown. Please note that I am not complaining, this is just an observation.

And this phenomenon is not just restricted to Bollywood. In all walks of life, people are considering the saree (and also the salwar kameez) dated. Western wear is supposed to be a sign of confidence and independence for women. If one goes through employment ads of IT companies, the woman in the picture is always in a western outfit (and without the bindi). In TV ads, if a woman is shown wearing a saree (along with a bindi), it is most probably for a detergent or toilet bowl cleaner. Or a life insurance policy taken by the husband to take care of his (economically dependent) family.

Women in western wear (even casuals) are supposed to be "dressed smartly". The implication here is that those who are dressed in ethnic clothes are not dressed so smartly.

Sarees are these days relegated to special occasions and merely ceremonial, just like the kimono in Japan. A woman who goes to work in a saree or even salwar kameez on a regular basis is considered a bit old-fashioned and not modern. In movies, such women are normally at the receiving end of abusive relationships. The heroine (who is in Western wear) would then save her and teach her tormentors a lesson.

Well, as a man, I shouldn't be complaining. Because Indian men gave up on the dhoti and the pyjama long ago. You didn't find an office executive (even 30 years ago) working for a private sector company going to work in a dhoti.

So I think it is nothing more than the women just catching up with the men!