Goa, Oct. 7 -- Janet Mascarenhas

Long before synthetic fabrics and fast fashion became common and convenient, Goan ladies relied on hand-woven cotton fabrics that were light, breathable and suited the coastal climate. Ladies wore sarees in cotton and cotton blends from the daily Kapod, Kunbi, Vaila, blends of the Shalu and so on. These saris are now rarely seen. As fabrics, fashion and everyday dressing sense changed, the place these sarees once held gradually diminished, and they gradually largely faded from being produced in Goa. Yet, some continue to be preserved, worn and revisited, keeping alive a quieter chapter of Goa's textile history. Saris hold an important place in Goan culture, especially during weddings, religious ceremonies...