With a host of designers, artists and artisans exploring ancient weaves and the infinite possibilities of the loom, and experimenting with colour and designs, the sari has come a long way. The pristine beauty of a Paitani, the poetry of a ‘buttidar’ Benarasi or a timeless Baluchari… each sari is a celebration of our country’s heritage.
Ever experienced the joy of wearing a buttercup yellow Benarasi in which chrysanthemums and peacocks share space defined by a white and green border? Or a ‘gulaabdari’ sari full of red roses within roses? Or painted kalamkari flowers with a contemporary twist or a Bhagalpur tussar with appliqué motifs of a flower? Have you wanted to own a Benaras in shades of soft pink merging into the morning sky blue? Or an elegant shaded tussar in the colours of the rainbow?
More variety
All these and more await you at the Crafts Council of India’s ‘Saris, Jewellery and Accessories’ exhibition which opens today (September 7). Each sari is an artistic statement.
Kalamkari, chikankari, Benarasi, Maheshwari, Chanderi, Kota, Bhagalpur, Kantha and Sujini embroidery, ikkat and tussar… the mela literally unfolds a feast of wearable art and craft.
While Weaver’s Studio from Kolkata presents an exciting range of natural dyed and kantha embroidered saris, Bailou experiments with many kinds of raw materials.
Kanishka’s saris captivate with ingenious placement of Devanagari script blocks. Fine Benarasis in gold have modern touches such as geometric designs as well as a touch of poetry with peacocks and lotuses in brilliant jewel colours.
There are many other eye-catchers as well… tussar silks in ikat, embellished with aari embroidery, Vriksh’s tussars from Odisha featuring the jaala technique, Avni’s delicate block printed khadis, Anuradha Raman’s range with a fun quotient and Rema Kumar’s textured saris in stunning contemporary designs.
Kurtis, made-ups, stoles and scarves in handloom and silk are also available, along with diamond and silver jewellery.
The Saris, Jewellery and Accessories exhibition is on till September 8, (tomorrow), at My Fortune Hotel (Old Chola Sheraton), 10 Cathedral Road.
