There is so much to be learned from the world that surrounds us; during my time in India I have constantly been learning new things about this new world, but also about myself. I find myself constantly inspired by all that surrounds me, and lately, I have been really inspired by the colors of Chennai.
Upon my first shopping excursion I was amazed by the variety in shades and patterns on the beautiful textiles, but I didn’t feel as though I could authentically dress in so much color. If I had to describe my wardrobe in one word it would be black. So after gazing and gawking at all of the amazing and colorful kurtas and sarees I saw, I asked the merchant if he had any in my safe color: black. He laughed at me and said “You are in India, embrace the color.”
His simple yet profound statement has stuck with me. So much of my life back home is defined by neutrality. The buildings that line the streets in my world are black, grey, and brown, and wearing black is often a way for me to blend in rather than standing out. Yet, so far in both Delhi and Chennai I have learned that if you want to blend in you have to, as the merchant said, embrace the color.
Now that we have been in India for over 2 months, most of the participants of this program have acquired many beautiful articles of Indian clothing. It has been really interesting to see just how with our bright patterns members of this program have quite literally blended into our surroundings.
All of the vibrant buildings and brilliant textiles that are persistent throughout Chennai have made me have a new found appreciation for color. I have been re-learning to love certain colors, and experimenting with what colors I like to wear. There is so much beauty in the colors that I am constantly surrounded by here- old walls with cracking paint, hidden water closets painted bright blue, even the dirt on the ground! I’ll leave you with some of the photos I have taken during my travels, mostly from my time in Chennai, of the wondrous colors that I am constantly interacting with.
Much Love,
Abbey