The Tamana show was a tribute to the undying human spirit, how it preserves even in moments of despondency and dependency, yet rises like the proverbial phoenix
By Asmita Aggarwal
There is a saying that goes something like thiswhen God takes away something precious from you, he makes sure he compensates in another aspect of your life. That is just the case with Diwakar, the visually impaired singing sensation who opened the Tamana show on a sultry Sunday evening with his melodious rendering of Bollywood numbers. So mesmerising was his tonality and confidence that he carried the show on his shoulders, paving the way for a discussion on how differently-abled can be an enabler, if you learn to rise above it.
The Fashion Design Council of India supremo for the first time was seen sitting down and enjoying the show, unlike fashion weeks where his Sketchers sneakers find it tough to keep pace with this fast-moving bullet train! The fashion body has been associated with this event for many years and its purpose is to look at style through the lens of a soul offering, making inclusivity the flag bearer of this universe, which till now was a closed space; meant only for a privileged few.
Payal Jain dressed the beauty of the show, Tamana in pure, white Chikankari. Tamana was born with cerebral palsy but with the help of her mother Mrs. Shyama Chona, she has become a thinking individual, who has also helped others like her to be able to live their life with dignity. Thats why Tamana is now a nursery teacher, also an author and refused any prompting or help while speaking urging those around her to be patient and she did all this without losing her sense of humour. One such request by her included can we have some music? It was followed by an impromptu jig with her mother. This is what made the show priceless, more than the galaxy of ensembles that took the runway by storm later.
Running Delhi Public School with precision being a colonels wife Mrs. Chona knows what it takes to create a dialogue in a society that largely ignores those who have been reduced to the fringes, which is why Tamana annually brings to our attention the daily strife and small victories these children have despite being wheelchair-bound. It was heartening to see them dancing, blowing kisses, posing better than models and waving to an indulgent audience that cheered them on. Shakuntala D. Gamlin, Secretary Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, who was the Chief Guest spoke about the need to sensitise the environment
Taking this emotion a step forward, FDCI chairman has made inclusivity the mantra for the India Fashion Week SS20 dedicated to the theme #MyFashionMyTribe, which talks about the need to widen the horizons of this rather ghettoed world that revolves on its own axis.
Each designer from Amit Aggarwals engineered saris, Nitin Bal Chauhans metallic embellishments, Payal Jains ode to threadwork, Samant Chauhans ivories dripping with innocence, Reynu Tandons copper hues and Anju Modis paean to the angarakha painted the show with the colours of unity in diversity.
