Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Lifestyle Show a big draw

Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Attractive offers: Designer sarees and garments at The Hindu-Eenadu Lifestyle Show in Vijayawada drawing hordes of buyers. –

VIJAYAWADA: Lavanya could not stick for long to the promise she had made to herself. The first year degree student had vowed to restrict her Sunday visit to the exhibition-cum-sale to a window-shopping, but a brief abrupt pause to take a closer look at the bright-coloured hues that caught her attention, had her breaking the pledge.

“Madam, please take a look at the traditional Punjabi phulkari suit material,” goaded Amrik Singh of Patiala. Throwing a careless glance at the flower work created by use of darn stitch on the wrong side of coarse cotton cloth with coloured silken thread, Lavanya stopped reluctantly.

The distinct alluring patterns that were not restricted or controlled, but were bold, free and highly imaginative, had her wavering and before she could realise, she was bargaining with Amrik Singh.

Singh was one of the 250-odd traders participating in The Hindu-Eenadu Lifestyle Show at Swaraj Maidan, which would come to a close on Monday, where stalls offering garments and textiles were doing a brisk business with a steady stream of buyers visiting the shops in droves.

“What was once the domestic art of creating simple and sparsely embroidered odinis and shawls, made for everyday use by women in Punjab, have become a rage today, thanks to the altering aptitude of the present generation,̶ 1; explained Singh, trying to impress more customers.

Pointing to the designs and motifs, he said they were an expression of the simple thoughts and aspirations of women in Punjab. The price range varied from Rs. 450 to 1,500 a piece.

In yet another corner of the huge space, Anuradha P. Bhat of Mysore was giving tough competition to Amrik Singh by enticing a huge women crowd to her stall, Stree Collection, with block-printed saris.

Printing enhances the look and appeal of apparel, thus making it highly sophisticated. The stall offered sarees with block printing on pure crepe and a blend of silk and cotton.

“Women are apparently happy with the stuff here. Last year, some of my assistants participated in the event. I am glad to have come personally this year to witness huge public response,” she said.

Of course, there were many things for men too in the Lifestyle Show.

The ‘buy one and get one free’ offer by Grasim and ‘buy two get one free’ offer by hosiery maker Vilan was a huge temptation. Local showrooms like Chillapalli Nageswara Rao & Sons, Babu Textiles and many others were offering trendy wear at the expo.

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