“Colours of South India are significant, vibrant and bold. The beauty of Kanjeevarams, the versatility of the cottons of Andhra, are alluring and I intend to work with these weavers in future,” says textile designer Sanjay Garg, whose brand, Raw Mango is celebrating its 10th year.
Here in Chennai to present his two collections — Cloud People and Monkey Business respectively — Garg founded Raw Mango in 2008. His brand deals with contemporary hand woven textiles rooted in Indian culture. He recalls coming to Chennai when he first started. Back then, “awareness on other heritage weaving was less and chanderi was not known to customers,”he says, adding that today he sees a vast change. “ Chanderi has more takers these days.”
Raw Mango engages with the visual vocabulary of India through measured interventions and traditional practices, be it design, material, tools, technique or hand loom.
“I celebrate the imperfections of hand loom,” he says. He also likes using the lesser known indigenous motifs. For instance the monkey motif that, “has been used on my occasional wear, sari and bridal range,” he points out.
The colour schemes he uses, especially his pastels in blue and green, is another distinctive feature. “Colour has been an integral part of my journey as I am from Rajasthan,” Garg says.
His latest line, Cloud People, invokes a sense of otherworldliness, bringing together winged messengers and unearthly spirits — the mythical symbols of hope and guardianship. “Holy messengers are common across all religions of India and I was intrigued with the idea of what lies between God and me. This collection is an interpretation of that idea,” he explains. His angels are beautifully captured in chikankari work on Bengal mul while for the brides, there are sumptuous lehengas . “I have engineered these lehengas, wherein each panel has been woven separately and combined together on the loom. Each set is a unique work of art and brings out the individuality of the woman who wears it.”
Raw Mango will be showcasing its collection at The Folly, Amethyst, Royapettah, till June 23, 11 am to 7.30 pm. For details, 45991630.
