GEORGE TOWN: A sea of colour, laughter and flowing sarees transformed Penang City Park into a lively runway of tradition as hundreds of women gathered to celebrate Mothers Day in motion.
About 350 participants, made up of mothers, daughters and friends, turned up in sarees paired with sports shoes for the Saree Walkathon 2026 here yesterday.
From classic silk ensembles to contemporary designs, the 2km route became a moving tapestry of elegance and heritage, as participants enjoyed a morning of light exercise, cultural appreciation and family bonding amid the park’s lush greenery.
Among those who drew attention were mother-and-daughter duo Shwetha Joshi, 42, and Pratyusha Sharma, 12, who said the event offered a refreshing twist to Mothers Day celebrations.
“Instead of the usual plans of going out for a meal or buying gifts, we thought this would be something more meaningful and fun,” said Shwetha, a housewife from India married to an Indian expatriate, and living in Malaysia for 13 years.
“It gave us a chance to bond because we spent days preparing for the event together, shopping for matching accessories and deciding how to style our sarees,” she said.
The pair opted for a bold Indo-Western fusion look instead of traditional draping.
Shwetha paired her saree with a blazer and belt, while Pratyusha styled hers with a long-sleeved top, jeans, a kamarbandh (ornamental waist belt) and colourful accessories.
Retiree Eunice Lim, 68, experienced wearing a saree for the first time.
“The saree is such a beautiful outfit and surprisingly comfortable. I even did Zumba in it.
“I will definitely wear it again for future Indian events,” she said.
Engineer Salmi Shamsudin, 39, who owns three sarees, said she planned to expand her collection for attending her Hindu friends’ weddings and Deepavali functions.
“This is the first time I am taking part in a walkathon in a saree. I hope I don’t trip and fall!” she said with a laugh.
The event was organised by Penang Indian Association and Nutri Heart Malaysia.
Bollywood hits filled the air as participants warmed up with an energetic Zumba session before setting off on the walkathon.
At the finish line, participants were awarded medals and treated to a hearty breakfast, rounding off a morning that blended fitness, culture and celebration.
