Kanishka’s comes to Chennai

The nearly five-decades-old Kolkata-based Kanishka’s brings its latest block-printed tussars to town

For 70-year-old Nandita Raja, block printing was a hobby even when she was in school. After she married Dilip Raja, who encouraged her passion, it soon turned into a venture. She opened Kanishka’s in her garage in Kolkata in 1970, assisted by a block printer and a tailor. Today, Kanishka’s is a name to reckon with, when it comes to block printed cotton, tussar and muga silks.

“We complete 48 years, and now have 120 people working for Kanishka’s. My creations are completely handmade, where each block is individually printed, using dye of different colours,” says Nandita, “Over the past four decades of experience, I have created many distinctive block printing designs and patterns.”

 

Nandita has undertaken expansive research on art forms of the country and represents them on textiles. “My idea is to popularise unique art forms through my blocks. Script, geometric pattern and traditional motifs are trending these days,” says Nandita.

Kanishka’s also has their own loom in Odisha, from where they source their tussar silks. Arundathi Menon, textile connoisseur, designer and curator, says she has been interacting with Dilip and Nandita for the past 40 years. “Kanishka’s is the pioneer when it comes to block printing. What made a huge impression on me was their meticulous eye for detail,” says Menon.

“The creators being artists, the motifs of Kanishka’s comprise parrots, sparrows, cow, bulls, scripts, and flowers,” Menon points out. Another unique aspect is the colour combinations — purple with parrot green or olive green and maroon, or magenta and grey... no wonder their distinctive prints on soft

tussar s

are now sought-after across the country.

Kanishka’s will be displaying their collection till July 15, at Samasta, Alwarpet from 10 am to 7 pm. 42721110