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Get set to splurge
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The best of Indian tradition and aesthetics is on display at the annual Vastrabharana sale which takes off tomorrow, reports BHUMIKA K.
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The weaves comprise both the traditional and the contemporary.
LADIES, WHET that shopping appetite. Get ready to drape yourselves in traditional and contemporary Indian saris and jewellery at that party, night out, pooja or work. Vastrabharana is back!
The six yards that have withstood the ravages of time, the salwar, trousers, and denim, are back with a bang in khadi blends, tussars, Gadwals, Ilkals, Kanjeevarams, Uppadas, Mugas, Benaras and more.
Some 38 textile units from 14 Indian states are participating in this year's Vastrabharana that opens tomorrow (October 1). The Crafts Council of Karnataka, year after year, makes women go weak in their knees, and quenches the womanly passion to see wardrobes full of exquisite stuff.
Fabric of freedom
The spotlight this year will be on khadi, the fabric of freedom, sourced from all over the country. A special pavilion will feature khadi blended with Gadwal, Uppada and tussar, besides a range of cotton khadi. "Innovative khadi is what we are bringing in, because it's back in fashion.
Moreover, people like Sonia Gandhi have made it a style icon," says Geetha Rao, Joint Secretary of the Crafts Council of Karnataka, which has made Vastrabharana legendary in the city. While Vastrabharana is branded a rather extravagant affair, Geetha Rao says: "Our idea is to take it to the middle class too, and make beautiful textiles accessible to all."
Kabir's descendant
Bringing the romance and poetry of Benares through his handwoven saris will be Hasham Turabi, a seventh-generation descendant of Kabir. Sampa Das, an entrepreneur from Assam participating in Vastrabharana for the first time, brings a riot of colours and shades to the gossamer honey-coloured Assamese silks.
You can also pamper yourselves with an exclusive range of a one-of-a-kind Muga, Eri and Patt silk saris and the sarong-like Mekla-chadars from Assam. Assam's Sual Kuchi area near Guwahati practically has a loom in every house, where women weave their own saris. "Every woman in Assam considers it a must to have a Muga, that gets softer and shinier with every wash and lasts around 60 years. It's like gold in Assam," explains Geetha Rao.
A special section of tussar weaves from Vidharbha (Maharashtra), Orissa, Bihar and Andhra, some with exquisite vegetable-dyed, hand block prints is something you must watch out for.
A traditional and contemporary selection of the woven treasures of Benaras in silk with zari and brocade work, Karnataka's Ilkals, some with the `chadranchukki' checked design, Molkalmuru silks as well as stunning Kasuti embroidery are some of the other exquisite textile traditions being brought in this year.
And what sari collection is complete without the all-essential Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu? Add to this an entire range of cotton Sungadis, cotton-silk blends and polycots from Coimbatore, to wind up the neighbouring state's rich weaving traditions.
Andhra's abundance
Abundant textile traditions of Andhra manifest themselves in the gorgeous Gadwals, Uppadas, ikats, Teliyas, Mangalgiris, and painted and printed Kalamkaris.
Paithanis from Maharashtra, Chanderis, Maheshwaris and Madhubani painted saris from Madhya Pradesh, Patolas, Bandhinis and Ashavallis from Gujarat will be on sale. Bengal is represented by Jamdanis and Kantha embroidery.
Cotton textile lovers can choose from Bagh and Bagru vegetable-dyed hand-block prints on various textiles such as kora khota and mulmul cottons.
Cholis and chokers
You can also look around for matching embroidered cholis and accessories such as chappals and batuas that will also be up for grabs. Bindu Mathai, a national award winner, is presenting her terracotta jewellery collection this year.
The jewellery section this year features antique heritage jewellery from North and South India as well as contemporary terracotta, bead and silver jewellery.
Cotton sari prices begin at Rs. 350, silks at Rs. 1,500, and khadi blends at Rs.1,000.
The exhibition and sale will be on at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumara Krupa Road, from October 1 to 6. Actor B. Saroja Devi will inaugurate the exhibition on October 1 at 5 p.m. Timings for remaining days: 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 pm.
For information, contact the Crafts Council of Karnataka at 23347299
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