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A touch of silk
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From the North, South, East and West, a wealth of woven magic awaits you at Srishti
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Photo:K. Ananthan
Bedazzled At the exhibition
It’s raining tussars! From Vidarbha, Bhagalpur, parts of Bengal and wherever else they are produced.
The Crafts Council of Tamil Nadu has outdone itself this time with Srishti, the exhibition of textiles.
And, the scene is set for seduction as saris rustle, gleam and tantalise.
These old shades
While one is partial to the tussars in shades of honey, rich cream and amber, those colourfully inclined have enough to choose from greens, indigos, maroons and so on. Some of them have been embellished, dyed, printed and embroidered to suit every taste.
Ami Modi, Rehwa, Weavers Studio, Ushaas are some of those having wonderful tussar saris. As you concentrate on strangling your purse, another part of your mind can’t help but wonder at the wealth of India. Incredibly gifted men and women from every corner of our country have been creating masterpieces for hundreds of years.
The show gives you a chance to stop, stare, hold your heart and say “I am so proud of our heritage.”
Bhawna from Benares tenderly lays out a tissue in a flame orange. “It is a hunting motif,” she explains.
Look closely and an intricate pattern of peacocks, parrots, elephants emerge, delicately rendered. It costs Rs 30,000 to buy, but nothing to go have a look. It is a work of art. Across the floor is another example of exquisite craftsmanship.
From Bangladesh, the saris — muslin, Dhakais, jaamdaani, tangail — are breathtaking.
They are expensive, but worth every pie. They are the sort of saris you could leave behind as heirlooms.
Affordable
Not only silks, there is a wealth of cotton fabrics too, both saris and running material. They have come from Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and other parts of the country.
Khadi saris with narrow woven borders are instant mood enhancers. And, if you could team it up with a kalamkari blouse…oh wow! These saris are affordable, ranging in the Rs 700 – 800 bracket.
Then there are block printed cotton saris, perfect for office wear or mornings out, also priced between Rs. 500 and 750.
What is also very nice is the fact that Srishti offers running cotton material.
You could take as much or as little of it as you want. One doesn’t find too much in the running material in our city and this is an opportunity to stock up.
And, for the readymade lovers, there are salwar/dupatta sets that allow you the choice of mixing and matching with a kurta of your choice. (Ladies, they are available in XXL sizes too). There are plenty of readymade embroidered blouses, skirts, dupattas and tops too.
A couple of stalls have beaded jewellery, something called ‘Victorian jewellery’ and some really pretty enamelled bangles that are from Korea.
To complete the ethnic ensemble are elegantly rustic handloom batuas.
If after all this you are still looking for something in the realm of practical needs – there are bed spreads, sheets, towels and quilts for your pleasure.
The exhibition is on at Rathna Regent on Avanashi Road from 10 a.m to 8 p.m today.
So go on, and take home a beautiful swathe of India with you.
PANKAJA SRINIVASAN
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