By Jilawatan

When the Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai glided into Oprah Winfrey’s talk-show studio a couple months ago, she dazzled the audience with her grace and glamour. But her appearance also left some observers wondering why she had chosen to wear something as unusual as a black sari.

Few probably realize that designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who made Ms. Rai’s outfit, have been trying to persuade Indian women to reconsider black for several years now. And they have had some success, despite centuries of religious and cultural symbolism favoring bright colors — and the simple fact that black is the most uncomfortable color to wear in India’s searing heat.

The darker the fabric, the more light is absorbed and the hotter the wearer becomes.

But a new fabric treatment on the market may make Indian women, as well as millions of Middle Eastern women, corporate executives and anyone else wearing black in a sunny climate, feel cooler and perspire less.

By Jilawatan

Aishwarya, in keeping with her status as an international star, has made appearances at Cannes, has a statue at Madame Tussauds and has appeared on David Letterman’s Late Show and on Oprah Winfrey in the past.

This time her husband Abhishek kept her company as he had been invited on the show with her. They had flown to the States last week to shoot for an episode on Oprah.

In February 2007, she won over Oprah with a sari. Oprah had enthusiastically volunteered to be draped in the sari, which she found sensuous. We wonder if Aishwarya will remember it and wear a sensuous drape to her show this time.

Aishwarya had spoken about living at home and the importance of family and this year, she can re-emphasise family values as the first couple of Bollywood may have much to say about their wedded bliss.