The Unraveling of a Dream: A Tale of Fashion and Societal Expectations
By Lokanath Mishra
Sanjukta, a 36-year-old fashion enthusiast, lived life on her own terms. She detested being told what to wear and how to present herself. Her mother-in-law, a vibrant 70-year-old, was her inspiration – always looking youthful, stylish, and confident, even in mini skirts.
Sanjukta admired her mother-in-law’s zest for life and her ability to defy age conventions. She, too, had a dream: to grow old with style and panache. In her 40s, she envisioned herself with colored hair; in her 50s, with a chic, short haircut; and even in her 60s and 70s, she wanted to continue wearing shorts, just like her mother-in-law.
Sanjukta’s mother, on the other hand, represented the antithesis of her fashion ideals – stuck in outdated styles and conventional thinking. Sanjukta was determined to stay updated on current affairs, fashion, and style, ensuring she remained confident, impressive, and youthful.
However, her dream was shattered at a wedding ceremony she attended with her mother-in-law. Both wore stylish shorts, but they were utterly eclipsed by the sea of women adorned in beautiful sarees. The attention and admiration of the crowd were squarely focused on those wearing traditional attire, leaving Sanjukta and her mother-in-law feeling neglected and overlooked.
The experience had a profound impact on Sanjukta. She began to question her own fashion choices and eventually started wearing sarees, conforming to societal expectations. Her dream of growing old with a bold, fashion-forward attitude slowly faded away, replaced by the comforting familiarity of traditional Indian wear.
As Sanjukta looked in the mirror, draped in a beautiful saree, she couldn’t help but wonder: had she compromised her individuality and style to fit in, or had she simply evolved with the times? The answer, much like her dream, remained elusive.
