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Critics Praise Lakshmi Puri’s ‘The Sari Eternal’ as an Experiential Sari Memoir

Fresh reviews spotlight a six-part structure that moves from personal memory to sacred symbolism, cinema, and a forward look at sustainability.

Overview

  • The Sunday Guardian Live, The Indian Express, and News18 publish favorable reviews on January 17–18, underscoring the book’s memoir-driven lens rather than an academic survey.
  • Drawing on her mother’s influence and her diplomatic persona, Puri presents the sari as a civilisational and gender marker spanning Vedic references and regional weaves.
  • Chapters explore sacred ideas such as the Devi Suktam and the Tridevi, the garment’s presence in epics and art including Raja Ravi Varma, and Bollywood’s shaping of its popular image.
  • Reviewers note tributes to weavers and regional textile traditions alongside historical transitions, including Mughal-era motifs and the adoption of stitched garments.
  • The concluding section poses open questions about sustainability and Gen Z’s engagement with the sari, while also touching on its impact on global fashion.