At 10.30 a.m. there is a gentle stream of women, slowly trooping into Sri Satya Sai Nigamagamam. The guard looks at his watch and smirks. The women hurry in; people manning their stalls inside are counting dress materials, placing the best ones on display.
The buzz inside the hall gradually increases. Walk around and you’ll hear a few men say, “ Aao madamji , we have all kinds of silk.” At the National Silk Expo, an apparel expo organised by the Gramin Hastkala Vikas Samiti at Sri Satya Sai Nigamagamam in Srinagar Colony, be prepared to look at silk in a new light. The nine-day exhibition showcases silk and designer cotton saris, home furnishing and dress materials.
There’s something for the fashion-conscious youngsters as well. College girls have plenty to bargain for. An exciting collection of stoles and duppattas and salwar-kameez sets is up for grabs. Check out the jute-khadi stoles priced at Rs. 350, it could definitely bring an Indie look to T-shirt and jeans. Colourful silk stoles and scarves are also available.
There are options available for every possible occasion. The dress materials in Tussar and Khadi-silk are excellent for farewell parties and seminars. Be sure to team them up with rustic jewellery. If you’re looking for a combination of urban and traditional wear, check out the wrap-around skirts and tops.
For office-going women, the silk cotton saris with block prints and light zari and sanganeri prints will definitely add grace to the wardrobe.
Apart from these, look for Kolkata silk-cotton saris and Tussar silks. Add a little bit of design to your closet with Kantha work on Kosa silk from Chattisgarh. Check out Tanchoi, Banarasi Jamdani and Jamavar from Uttar Pradesh. Get a feel of Jamawar shawls and Jaipuri hand-block printed dresses. And if you’re not looking to fill your wardrobe, then it’s time to do up you house with a range of home-furnishings like bed-sheets, comforters and cushion covers.
