Chanderi sarees are protected from the evil

By Dr Aarti Sinha

Customs & Traditions

While its a very common sight to see a "kala teeka" or "kajal" (black kohl) being used in India to ward off the evil eye, it took me completely by surprise to recently find out just how extensively this practice is followed.

Just before the onset of the festival season, I had gone shopping for Sarees and while admiring some beautiful chanderi sarees, I found a "black mark" on the saree. Thinking this was a defective piece, I started looking at a few other sarees, only to realise that all the chanderi sarees had this black mark. Out of curiosity, I asked the shopkeeper about this, and he smiled at me and said that very few people ever notice this mark. The craftsmen who make these sarees have been adding this "black dot" to every metre of each Chanderi saree they make since decades! And guess why? The answer left me astounded - it was to ensure that the sarees are protected from the evil eye.

So the next time, do notice, every single Chanderi Saree comes to us with a "black dot", imbibed with the love, hardwork and kindness of the thousands of craftsmen who create these beautiful pieces and who want their legacy to continue through their creations.

Dr. Aarti Sinhaa, founder of wizard of Sound is a TEDx speaker. She is the only Sound Healer of Central India and is one amongst the very few sound healers in India.