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Six yards of temptation
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Saris continue to remain the top sellers during Deepavali
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Photos: K. Ananthan
Dazzling silk At PSR and Sons and Tharakaram
Saris named after Coimbatore, traditional saris teamed up with jazzy blouses, and a riot of colours. This is just a sample of what stores have to offer this Deepavali. And, the milling crowds are proof that people are going all out to claim their six
yards of bliss.
Embroidery is in
At PSR and Sons, the accent is on embroidery. But, the traditional and unembellished Kalakshetra, Kanchi, Orissa and Pochampalli are doing well too. Their colours for this year are at the brighter end of the spectrum —turquoise blues, pinks and greens.
Some of their specialties are Kashmiri work on French and real crepe, saris with fully embroidered blouses, Kalamkari print on Khadi cotton and the Kanchi version of the famous Andhra Gadwal, says Srinivasan R, partner. This comes in a riot of colours, and with an attached blouse. Also available is abstract and floral cut work on Manipuri cotton.
Brand Kovai
At Tharakaram Silk House, Kancheevarams rule as always. “Wovens are back with a bang this year,” says Radhika Prithvi of the store. This time around, she has created a new brand, Kovai silk, that is woven here and is softer than Kancheevaram but just as lustrous.
Another new entry is a replica of Gadwal saris using Kovai cotton. Patolas are doing well, as are tussars, matka silks and bagru prints. “Trendy blouses are so in. People are going in for Benarasi brocade and tissue blouses,” she says. The store is also stocking fancy cottons worked on by a Kolkata designer. As for colours, indigos, pinks and turquoise blues are her choice.
Usha Dorairaj of The Golden Window on Avanashi Road says that almost all the colours are moving well. An especially eye-catching sari is a peach tussar with appliqué work in blue. As for trends, she says that the store’s USP continues to be exclusive hand-crafted saris.
At Mahaveers, the mood is definitely retro. “Cross (double) colours, contrast borders, traditional temple design, mubagam (3-part) silks, and Tribhuvanam and Chettinad styles are back,” says Ajith Jain. And, embroidery (“too common”) has taken the backseat here.
Weave matters
“We want to bring the focus back on the weave, and make it more interesting,” he says. So, you have a Uppada weave on Kancheevaram, dupion effect on saris, Kancheepuram with tussar buttis on blouses, and saris with ghicha work. And, ornate blouses are in here too.
At The Chennai Silks, customers are going in for saris with “work” on them. They want stones, sequins and zardosi irrespective of the material, says a manager.
Nalli is known for its traditional saris, but this year, they have also gone the embroidery way, with the six-design ‘Raga’ range. “These saris sport work throughout the body (Kancheevaram) and come with a zari border,” says A.M.S. Selvam of the store. Another new introduction for the season is the ‘half and half’ sari that lends the effect of wearing a pavadai-dhavani. The colours doing the rounds here are light copper-sulphate and marvel pink.
A tip for those choosy about what they buy. “Start shopping early. That way, you’ll beat the crowd, and get more attention. Remember, stores are ready for Deepavali long before the shopping begins,” says Radhika.
SUBHA J RAO
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