Sari, No Admission

WHEN Kavita Khanna and Meher Anklesaria entered Madness, a discotheque in Hotel Ramee International located in a Mumbai suburb on December 14, they couldn't have known that there was more than plain boogeying in store. They were in for a nasty surprise when they were denied entry. Their crime: they were wearing saris. Says Khanna, a lawyer: " I couldn't believe it at first that the national dress could be considered inappropriate apparel in the heart of the country."

Surprise, shock and sheer disgust have been expressed on the incident since then. Justifies Savio Roderigues, the hotel's general manager who refused the women entry: "The dress code has been misinterpreted." The 'valid' reasons for his action: people on the floor could trip on saris; guests have objected; it is not suitable for the occasion as disco dancing is a western concept.

Roderigues informs that saris are not permitted on the dancefloors even in countries like Dubai and Malta. The hotel reserves the right of admission, which is clearly displayed. In fact, sari-clad guests are informed of the restriction before they buy coupons.

A discotheque manager, on the condition of anonymity, supports this view "Like chappals, saris too can cause accidents on the floor," he says. Both agree that the reasons for denying entry to sari-clad guests are purely practical, with no intention to hurt any

nationalistic sentiment. You have to be clad 'right' for any occasion. Wouldn't people frown if mini skirts were worn at a wedding, they argue. The social fact is that it is not acceptable. A concession for jeans, T-shirts and sports shoes has already been made. Salwar kurtas are also not 'objectionable'. They feel that the hue and cry is unjustified.

But not everyone thinks so. Says Ashok Chavda, general manager of Razzberry Rhin -oceros, one of the more successful pub/discos in Mumbai "We can't insult the national dress." Even if chappals are frowned upon, the sari has to be respected. Chavda however agrees that it can cause accidents on the floor. How does he then handle the matter? "We pleasantly caution the guests of the possibility of accidents," he states.

Says an outraged Pramod Navalkar, the Shiv Sena's cultural policeman: "The discos name befits it." He claims that if classical dances like Bharatnatyam and Kathak can be done wearing saris, then what is complicated about disco dancing. And since it is not a membership club, how can it dictate dress codes? Up in arms, Navalkar has taken up the cudgels to put an end to this, well, madness!

Legally the hotel has the right to reserve admission, but Khanna argues that it's unlikely that any court of law would uphold such an action. Affronted by the attitude of the disco's staff, she adds that guests should be credited with some social tact to be able to manage their saris dexterously. And with the hemlines of western outfits rising and necklines plunging, one can hardly call the sari vulgar. 

Usha Uthup, the uncrowned queen of Indian pop who pioneered wearing traditional saris and jewellery in every pop show and nightclub she has sung in her career of 28 years, is appalled. "Wearing a sari brought respectability to nightclub singing for me," says she. Uthup recalls the appreciation showered on her for wearing saris at shows abroad. Music has no barriers, she exclaims, and certainly not as superficial as apparel. "It feels like all my years of effort have been wasted," she laments.

A social scientist regards this from a larger point of view. With liberalisation, western trends are coming to India in fits and starts. It's only natural that the scum floats in first. Unfortunately, modernisation is most often synonymous with westernisation. This universal trend has been witnessed in Japan, Singapore and Africa, just to name a few nations, not just in India. The elite in these countries mostly dress in western attire.

This also stems from the recent trend of Indian pop music becoming a big industry. The new breed of pop singers are clad more like their western counterparts. This may help to sell their music globally, but only endorses the fact that skimpy costumes are the 'right' wear for such occasions in the minds of youngsters. Yet, our traditional roots have ensured that the sari continues to enjoy a tremendous timeless appeal, unlike in Japan, where kimonos are a rare sight.

However, he assures that such incidents are only hiccups. The Indian culture is tolerant and will eventually absorb them. Notable is the fact that few pubs and discos have rules such as Madness' countrywide. Chances are, that some day they might see a more mature reasoning.