A Dupatta Is . . .

A dupatta is so much more than a beautiful piece of fabric.A dupatta is sound-swooshing and swashing like a superhero cape.A dupatta is scent-cinnamon and cardamom, crushed coriander and peppermint oil.A dupatta is fun-playing peekaboo and building cushion forts with dupatta canopies.Written by Marzieh Abbas and vividly brought to life by the artwork of Anu Chouhan, this is a loving and lyrical ode to the dupatta. These shawls-traditionally worn by women in various cultures of South Asia-are beautiful and colourful of course, but they're also fun, functional, and carry the sounds and smells of family and identity.