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Beauty block by block

Of block printed silk saris at Shilpi

SUBTLE COLOURS One of the saris at Shilpi

Dramatic block prints on tussar, bishnupuri and matka silk mark Arundhati Menon's signature collection on show at Shilpi. Florals, paisleys, geometrics and tribal motifs have been used in a beautiful range of colours, some muted, some stark and others in striking contrast.

The technique of block printing involves the use of carved blocks of teak wood. Each block may be used for printing around 150 saris and the printer may use from one to 20 separate blocks to complete a sari. The printing is done by hand and the dyes, chemical or vegetable, are hand mixed. The printer first dips the blocks into a flat tray of dye and then stamps the cloth with the right amount of pressure to register the design on the fabric. Depending on the number of colours used on a sari, it takes four to eight hours to print it. After allowing the sari to dry, steaming, processing and finishing are done.

Arundhati's collection is in a way like a nostalgic trip, 25 years down memory lane. For, she has recreated quite a few of her old designs on popular demand from customers. There are plenty of new creations too.

Shilpi is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its showrooms are at 1, Gee Gee Manor, 23, College Road, Nungambakkam and Corporation Shopping Centre, 29, C. P. Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet.

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