NOMINEE, BEST NON-FICTION STORY
Story: TANGERINE SUN
“Funnel down straight through the clouds
Like an ever flowing stream
Like an ever flowing stream
Take a bite of the fruit of life
Cause the fruit of life is sweet
Cause the fruit of life is sweet”
I was walking along Gerrard Street listening to the song Tangerine from the Soul Searching Sun album: part of my eclectic collection of music on my iPod. It was a glorious sunny day to take in the sights and sounds of the 2014 Little India Festival so I put the iPod away and merged myself into the hum of life around me. Full of anticipation at the eye candy up ahead it was hard to know where to look first. The aroma of food was tempting me away from all the colorful stalls full of treasures. I decided the curry and chapatis would have to wait but could not resist a couple of mini khasta kachoris to snack on while making a beeline for a very cool-looking, sleeveless summer dress hanging nearby floating in the light breeze.
It was the vivid tangerine colour that first caught my eye. Perhaps it was the lyrics of the song I had just been listening to or maybe just some serendipitous moment that drew me in that direction. As I moved closer I could see three palm trees printed on the front. Holding the dress up and looking at the detail there was chain stitch embroidery outlining the trunks and fronds of the palm trees. The scoop neck was decorated like the outside edge of the sun with beams of light radiating down through the palm trees. The very light fabric was perfect for those hot, steamy July days in Toronto. This was a dress that I had to have! It was very inexpensive even though there was obviously so much work involved. I wished I could meet the creator whose skill and imagination had made something so striking.
I recalled a trip to India to visit a textile printing factory. I watched as cotton fabrics laid out on long, wide tables were printed laboriously by hand with wooden blocks. After hours of work creating repeating patterns on what would become large bed covers and tablecloths the fabrics were hung on lines out in the sun to dry. After various other factory tours my appreciation for handicrafts made in India was immense.
The purchase of my tangerine dress was a great start to my annual visit to the Festival. As I moved on down the street I recalled trips to other bazaars where I had some of my most thrilling shopping adventures. The first experience was at eight years old when my parents took me to the bazaar so I could choose a doll for my birthday. I was enchanted as I wandered the narrow lanes between crowded stalls and small shops. It was love at first sight when I saw a large doll tucked in the corner of a top shelf of one of the stores. She had very intense dark brown glass eyes, ruby red lips with a lovely smile, shiny white teeth and jet black silky hair. She was wearing a beautiful kurti and salwar outfit. I took her everywhere with me. She had a special place in my heart.
As I looked at all the exquisite saris at one of the stores at the Festival I had another “bazaar”memory. It was on a visit to Amritsar in India. I needed a sari for a wedding and it was hard to decide as they were all so amazing. Finally I chose a rich emerald green silk with gold embroidery. A family friend loaned me a dazzling gold necklace and earrings. I had never looked so glamorous. The picture is faded now but brings back such fond memories.
Other vivid flash backs came to mind as I absorbed all the beauty around me. I once spent several weeks in Kashmir living on a houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar. There were many days when I went to the local bazaars with my friends. We were amazed by the wonderful robes and other clothes decorated with the finest embroidery. I remembered haggling over the prices as my funds were very limited. I wanted to buy so many gifts for my family and friends. When I presented my mother with what I had brought for her she was overwhelmed with joy at receiving such exceptional presents. The caftan and dressing gown gave her years of pleasure and are destined to become family heirlooms.
I have always had a passion for interesting boxes. One of my favorites is a carved wooden box from Kashmir. I recalled when I bought it and the man who sold it to me. I realized how It always makes things even more special when you have the opportunity to meet the person who made it and to be able to discuss their work. Now I have to resist buying more things unless it is for a gift or it is just too tempting!
The rest of the day in Little India was filled eating delicious food, listening to the music, watching children playing and more shopping. Meeting up with friends later in the afternoon we shared stories about what we had seen and took pleasure in viewing all our purchases. Silver and turquoise jewelry, embroidered shawls and tablecloths – so many beautiful things all made by hand and with such artistry.
I took my tangerine dress home and wore it frequently for the rest of the summer. It is my favourite dress to take with me when I travel. It rolls up and slips into my backpack ready for any occasion. I can dress it up with some leather sandals, earrings and a tangerine shawl or just wear it around the house with my flip-flops. My Gerrard Street Little India Festival Tangerine Sun Dress has been to Iguazu Falls in Brazil, to Nine Mile in Jamaica to Bob Marley’s resting place, to rain forests in Ecuador and Panama. So many people have admired and complimented “the dress” and have asked me where I bought it. I always get pleasure from telling them it was at a special festival in Toronto and that they should make sure to visit!
My dress has needed some repairs lately as I have worn it so often. There will come a day when my skills as a seamstress will no longer be able to keep the fraying edges intact. I shall be sorry when that day comes but the great memories from the Little India Festival Bazaar will never disappear!
“Funnel down straight through the clouds
Like an ever flowing stream
Like an ever flowing stream
Take a bite of the fruit of life
Cause the fruit of life is sweet
Cause the fruit of life is sweet”
These lyrics from the song Tangerine from the Soul Searching Sun album by the band Life of Agony encapsulate the richness of life. If you have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the Little India Festival be sure to make time for it this year. You never know what treasures or adventures might be waiting for you!
by Sharman Wilson
Walter & Sharman Iguazu Falls
About Sharman Wilson
Sharman has lived in the Beach Village in Toronto for 30 years. Her childhood and early career as a fashion designer took her to many countries which instilled a lifelong enthusiasm for new adventures. Her passions include travel, writing fiction and non-fiction, historical research, reading, cooking, entertaining friends, and nurturing her plants and animals. After teaching at Seneca College where she authored a CD-ROM on the history of Western fashion she spent time at the Canadian Film Centre developing a new media project profiling people whose passions have become their careers. This work led to other new media projects and online learning for the Government of Ontario and other clients. She is currently developing a number of short stories as well as a play based on her youth that was partly spent in Yemen. Her best friend and life partner Walter is her greatest support and most severe critic!
