A woman visiting India’s first priority is to find a tailor who can ‘”stitch” the latest in Shalwar-kameez fashion or to purchase ready made off the rack. This is the daily common wear of every woman in India. If you are not wearing a Sari you are most definitely wearing a Shalwar-Kameez. The top is a long loose tunic that comes below the knees and can be plain or very ornate. I should say “should come below the knees” but for me being...and this is according to my driver this morning “the tallest women he has ever seen in his entire life” it comes above my knees. To accessorize the top is a beautiful coordinated shawl that is worn draped in the front of your neck with the two ends hanging down loose in the back. The pants are a type of legging, very fitted and tapered at the ankle but up top they resemble something worn by the Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory. When I tried on my first Shalwar-Kameez outfit I sent the pants back out and told the woman “look, I know my butt is large… like JLo large but these pants could fit several JLo’s back there”. She proceeded to explain to me... this is just the traditional style and they are indeed a good fit. So I went back to the dressing room where I preformed for my own amusement a short Oompa Loompa dance (oompa loompa doompadee doo, I have another riddle for you) move and accepted the fact that I will be walking around Kolkata half dressed like an Oompa Loompa for the next month (like the oompa doompa doompadee doo)!
Of course this song is now stuck in my head so it’s only right that it is stuck in yours too… Enjoy!
OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DOO
I'VE GOT A PERFECT PUZZLE FOR YOU
OOMPA LOOMPA, DOOMPADAH DEE
IF YOU ARE WISE YOU'LL LISTEN ME
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU GUZZLE DOWN SWEETS
EATING AS MUCH AS AN ELEPHANT EATS
WHAT ARE YOU AT GETTING TERRIBLY FAT
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL COME OF THAT
I DON'T LIKE THE LOOK OF IT
OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DAH
IF YOU'RE NOT GREEDY YOU WILL GO FAR
YOU WILL LIVE IN HAPPINESS TOO
LIKE THE OOMPA LOOMPA DOOMPADEE DO
DOOMPADEE DOO
Up the airy mountain,
ReplyDeleteDown the rushing glen,
We dare not go a hunting,
For fear of little men.
You see, nobody ever goes in, and nobody ever comes out.