A Bengaluru church has transformed a symbol of festive tradition into a stunning statement on sustainability. The Primrose Mar Thoma Church has unveiled a remarkable 25-foot Christmas tree that, upon closer look, reveals itself to be a masterpiece of upcycled fabric, crafted from old and discarded saris.
A Festive Fabric Transformation
At first sight, the towering structure appears to be a conventional, vibrant Christmas tree. However, its unique composition becomes clear up close. The entire tree is ingeniously constructed from old, torn saris donated by members of the congregation, which were dyed in various shades of green. The church choir designed and created this eco-friendly marvel, attaching the dyed fabric to metal wire frames of different sizes.
Inside the church, the sustainable theme continues with wreaths made from waste cloth scraps sourced directly from a garment manufacturer. Daniel Thomas, a church member involved in the project, shared the process: "We sourced the saris, dyed them in various shades of green, and fixed them onto metal frames — all within the span of a month. The Christmas wreaths are also made from discarded cloth scraps, and every part of the tree was created using recycled saris."
A 17-Year Legacy of Green Celebrations
This year's sari tree is not an isolated effort but part of a long-standing tradition. The church has championed the use of recycled or eco-friendly materials for its Christmas decorations for 17 years, a practice that began in 2008.
The journey of creative recycling started with a tree made from plastic bottles and old tyres. Each subsequent year brought new innovative materials:
- 2009: Decorations from old videotapes and plastic bags.
- 2010: Creations using dry vegetables and grasses.
- 2011: Embellishments from jacquard loom cards.
- 2012: A tree fashioned from newspapers.
- 2013: Designs incorporating used plastic covers.
Over the following years, the church continued to impress with trees made from soft drink bottles, corrugated boxes, straw, coconut shells, electric wire sleeves, shredded paper, aluminium foil, and strips of bamboo.
The Challenge and Message Behind the Sari Tree
The inspiration for this year's theme struck when a church member discovered two old saris in the church attic. While the idea was inspired, its execution presented an unexpected hurdle: sourcing enough saris proved difficult. Daniel Thomas explained the emotional connection, "Women are often emotionally attached to their saris, and even worn-out ones can be difficult to part with."
Despite the challenge, 15 to 20 dedicated volunteers worked on the installation since late November to bring the vision to life. The project carries a powerful message for the community and beyond. "The message the church wants to convey is that almost anything, especially decorations, can be made using environmentally friendly and locally available materials that are likely lying unused around the house," Thomas added.
This initiative by the Primrose Mar Thoma Church stands as a shining example of how tradition and environmental consciousness can blend beautifully, offering a festive celebration that respects the planet.
