I am sure, every person on the planet knows who is Michelle Obama. But, I wonder if anybody remembers the inaugural address or what the First lady wore for her first ball dance after the elections? I do. I cannot remember what I wore last evening, yet, this dress is embedded in my memory like a rock.

Is it because Michelle Obama is special? I have no idea. I don't even know if I like her. I neither understand fashion nor world politics and yet, there is an endearing feeling that captures me every time, I think of that dress. So, when I persuaded my husband that I wanted to see it when we were in Washington, he just didn't get it. ‘It's a dress. You want to see that?' , he asked me the third time, just to be sure. Nobody travels half-way across the globe and then, reads an entire brochure to find out where exactly is ‘the dress'.

The unmistakable white dress is in the Smithsonian museum. The fact of the matter is that there is an entire wing in the museum dedicated to the gowns worn by the various first ladies of the country. The funny thing is that under ordinary circumstances, I would have probably walked past this wing or skipped it to see something better in the museum. But, here I was, studying the map with great interest just to make sure that I head straight to the point.

‘But why?' quizzed my husband again. Clearly, I had no answer. In fact, I had watched the entire election campaign till the presidential address and the much-talked-about ball on television. It came as a surprise to me that I would still be interested in a dress when we are close to the next election in the US.

In the little hallway, where the white dress was displayed in glaring spotlights, I saw a huge crowd standing and taking pictures. So, it was not just me, who was captivated by a white flowing dress after all. There were tourists from every part of the world. Some white, some black, some others like me, who although not a fellow countryman, was clearly attracted to this pretty piece on display. We all patiently took turns, to stand in front of the glass-cased jewelled piece of fabric, admire it and then, take pictures.

Element of intrigue

Next to the display was a large television screen, in front of which sat a few people watching Michelle talk about her donation to the museum. As I listened, to this woman, I instantly knew, why I had liked this dress so much. It was not the style, nor the colour. It was not even the fact that it was worn by an African American. There was something else, an element of intrigue which I couldn't put my finger on then, but it was now glaringly more evident.

I watched the Obamas dance to the beautiful song again, and also watched the man step on the flowing dress many times. I could instantly smile because, it reminded me of the number of times, my husband inadvertently stepped on my trailing sari. All of us in our lives, want picture perfect situations and yet, these small elements of error make it so very human, that, it feels closer home. Yes, in all my life, I would never wear a dress like that and yet, it felt wearable, error-prone, and most importantly brought a smile to my face. The dress represents the fact that, we all want human leaders and not somebody who is unreal — which is what many times, it is made out to be. Most importantly, the moment represented a moment of ordinariness in the most defining moments of history.

 

Sudha Subramanian is an independent journalist based in Dubai.