MY SAREE

A young South Asian girl dreams of wearing a saree.

Divya loves her mother’s sarees, whether “peacock blue,” “lotus pink,” or “parrot green,” or “soft and silky” or “crisp and stiff.” But when Divya asks Amma if she, too, can wear one, Amma tells her she’s too young. Although disappointed, Divya accepts that one day, she’ll be able to make use of her mother’s impressive collection. But then Divya’s teacher, Mrs. Gonzalez, announces that the school’s upcoming Heritage Night will feature a fashion show. When Divya asks Amma if she can don a saree for this special occasion, Amma says no: “You know you have to be older….And it’s too long and too wide for a little girl like you.” Disheartened, Divya agrees to wear a silk skirt made by her grandmother. The next day, her classmates enthuse about the dirndl, hanbok, and salwar kameez they’ll be wearing, while Divya stays quiet. It isn’t until Heritage Night that Divya finds a reason to be cheerful again—when Amma presents Divya with her first saree. The story’s pacing feels a bit uneven; the reasons for Amma’s sudden change of heart are unclear. Still, Divya’s love for her heritage is palpable and relatable, and the conflict she grapples with will resonate with many young people. Sreenivasan’s inspired use of patterns gives the artwork a sense of movement and energy.

A passionate celebration of cultural identity.