Despite the chilly weather outside, the ground floor foyer of the National Foreign Art Gallery was warm and cosy last Friday evening. With the gentle sounds of traditional Indian music, the gallery welcomed guests to a special presentation ceremony as the Indian Embassy gave traditional Indian costumes to the gallery.

Nilima Mitra, Indian ambassador to Bulgaria, presented a traditional Banarasi Saree and a pugree to the gallery, in the presence of Bulgarian and foreign diplomats, friends and admirers of Indian culture. Bulgarian deputy minister of culture Gancho Karabadjakov was on hand for the occasion.

"We decided to give this costume because the museum asked us for it," Mitra told The Echo. "They specifically asked for a saree and a pugree. I believe they will use it for educational purposes." The ambassador added that the gallery had groups of children visiting the halls and the gallery will now be able to demonstrate a traditional Indian costume to these young visitors.

A saree is a piece of cloth draped to form the main garment of a woman. In length, it varies from two to nine yards, while, in height, it is from two to four feet. The garment has been worn on the Indian subcontinent from very early civilizations to the present day.

This century-long success is attributed to the dress' total simplicity and practical comfort. According to a folk tale, the saree was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver who dreamt of woman - the shimmer of her tears, the drape of her tumbling hair, the colours of her many moods, the softness of her touch. So he wove all these together and, not being able to stop, he wove for many years. Finally, when he was done, the story goes, he sat back and smiled and smiled.

The pugree, on the other hand, is a traditional Indian turban for men made to protect the wearer from heat, cold, dust and snowstorms. It is also said to be a symbol of honour, pride and prestige. The exchange of pugrees is very common as an act enhancing socio-cultural bonds, especially in marriages.

"The gift is a part of the continuous cultural exchange between two friends," Mitra said at the ceremony, emphasizing the traditionally friendly relations between Bulgaria and India. "When the museum made this request, my government very readily agreed to present the saree and pugree," she noted.

For the Bulgarian side, Karabadjakov cordially thanked the Indian Embassy for the present and said that he hoped that relations between the two states will continue to develop.

According to Mitra, Bulgarians are very interested in Indian culture. "I think we will see more cultural exchanges organized as part of the cultural exchange program between the two countries," the ambassador underlined. She said that they were also planning to bring a folk dance group, and two professors to deliver lectures.