The Housewife Who Fitted Perfectly

By Ranee Mohamed

Nilamani Munasinghe began life as a housewife. Married to a well-known journalist of an era gone by — Chandra Munasinghe­ — Nilamani did her best to keep a happy and comfortable home and made those delicious dishes for her husband and their frequent visitors.

Her husband, the late Chandra Munasinghe was News Editor of the SLBC, Director News and Current Affairs at Rupavahini and had also worked under the late Gamini Dissanayake as Senior Additional Secretary (Information).

“His career kept him busy and I was happy to be at home,” said Nilamani. But there was an adventurous spirit in Nilamani and she feared that she may become  a burden to her husband. Besides she wanted to follow her dreams  so much so that she took those first steps to pursue  her own dreams.

Enhancing shapes

Nilamani realised that her passion lay in designing: But she  said she did not go to a designing school;  she did not take lessons and she did not go for classes. In fact she sat at home and sharpened her talent and her skills so much so that today she is able to make clothes that virtually grip into ones very being, enhancing shapes and styles, yet not suffocating the wearer.

“However there was a time before I got married that I worked  – from 1969 to 1978 when I  was a secretary at the National Chamber of Commerce,” recalls Nilamani Munasinghe who is today her own boss.

Almost at the top of Old Road, Nawinna, Maharagama  in a shop  called In Style — decorated with glittering cloth, well cut saree blouses and neat shalwar kameez,’ a perfectly groomed Nilamani sits behind her sewing machine.

“My specialty is saree blouses,” said Nilamani as she sewed blouse after blouse for her fastidious clients.

A saree blouse

“A saree blouse is the most essential part of the saree. But few realise this. Wearing a saree blouse that fits like a banian  or Western style blouse will not enhance the beauty of the saree. It is important that the saree blouse has a good fit,” said Nilamani and went on to explain that the top part of the saree ought to be worn tightly wrapped and the part from waist downwards ought to fall down in a lovely drape.

“The main problem that many  ladies encounter when they wear a saree blouse is that it falls down from the shoulders,” said Nilamani.

“When I look at a design, I can recreate,” said Nilamani confidently. Being the wizard in ready made Kandyan sarees, she said that style ought to blend with a good cut and the wearer’s shape.

“My life is complete,” says Nilamani with a smile. “The only pain I have is the memory of the death of my husband who was wonderful to me.” Then her face lights up again as her little grand children Kavishi and Mewansa skip around her, holding her saree fall.

Wear cottons

“I enjoy my work, though it can be very involving. My daughter Nimmi helps me with the beadwork and embroidery,” she said.

“We have so many types of sarees and my advice to Sri Lankan women is to wear cottons. There are so many varieties of cottons – rich cottons can be worn for weddings,” she opined.

“When I make a saree blouse I ensure that it does not drop from the shoulders, that it does not get hiked up from the front and more importantly that it fits to perfection. It is not for one to pay a great deal of money and make a blouse.

“It is for one to ensure that the essentials in comfort and style are met,” said Nilamani Munasinghe. Speaking of sewing clothes, Nilamani said that the dart is the most crucial form of sewing. “The dart can either form you or deform you,” she said with great seriousness.

And like the dart itself – Nilamani too has ensured that life has given her a perfect fit.

raneemoham@hotmail.com