Shasthi

It’s Shasthi and the Goddess is home. The wait is over, it’s time to celebrate. After some last minute shopping, Sujoy and Ushoshi choose to relax at the Princep Memorial, before heading for a dinner party. Ushoshi has chosen to dress for the occasion in a sky blue Dhakai jamdani embellished with pure silver zari work from Weaver’s Studio. Diamond jewellery from Anjali Jewellers completes the look. The make-up complements Ushoshi’s ensemble — a touch of blue-silver eyeshadow, a hint of pink blush and a silvery nude lipstick. Sujoy has gone for a printed linen bandhgala with appliqué details and dhoti trousers from Dev R Nil.

Prices Dhakai jamdani: Rs 22,500; Dev R Nil ensemble: Price on request.

Saptami

Sujoy and Ushoshi head for Kumartuli on Saptami morning to pick up accessories for the deity. Ushoshi is keeping it subtle with a georgette sari from Shamlu Dudeja, embellished with hand-embroidered kantha stitch. She has accessorised with costumejewellery from Anjali Jewellers. A touch of orange on her eyelids and nude colour on her lips completes the look. Her hair has been scrunched and left open with a side parting. Sujoy has chosen to colour coordinate with a festive orange overlap kurti by Abhishek Dutta. The knitwear fabric has been given an antique sequin embroidered border. Sujoy teams it with green corduroy Jodhpuris, also from Dutta.

Prices Kantha stitch sari: Rs 15,000; Abhishek Dutta kurti: Rs 4,500; Jodhpuris: Rs 3,500.

Ashtami

Ashtami is the most special day of the Pujas. All decked up for the morning anjali, Ushoshi fits right in at the regal Pathurighata Palace in a red and gold kanjeevaram from Ananda. The sari has been woven in the typical temple tradition of south India with bird and flower motifs. Ushoshi teams it with a traditional neckpiece made with gold guineas as well as a gold bangle and a chunky chakra-shaped ring from Anjali Jewellers. To enhance Ushoshi’s eyes, her upper and lower lids are lined with black kohl. Gold highlights have been used to enhance the brow. Sujoy plays an equally

resplendent escort in a red-gold tissue sherwani by Sharbari Dutta. Designed in the angrakha style, the motifs on the sherwani are inspired by phad paintings of Rajasthan (phad is a folk art of pictorial storytelling). While the sherwani is decorated with silk threadwork and gold zari, the tussar dhoti (also from Sharbari) has an embroidered zariwork broad border. The ensemble is complete with matching red and gold mojris from Sharbari.

Prices Kanjeevaram sari: Rs 32,690; Sharbari ensemble: Price on request

Navami

It’s the last night of merrymaking before the melancholy of bisarjan sets in. Ushoshi keeps spirits high in a green crepe tissue sari from Ananda, woven by the master weavers of Benaras. She matches it with a gold choker set with diamonds and green stones and earrings from Sakshi’s and a golden purse from Leather World. Green-gold eyeshadow gives her eyes a smoky effect. The hair has been done up in a French knot. Sujoy chooses a cotton silk kurta from Snehasish Bhattacharya. The high collar and cuffs are dressed up with antique zardozi and silk brocade paisleys. The kurta is worn with a silk wrap-around dhoti with a zardozi border. Matching jutis complete the look.

Prices Benarasi sari: Rs 6,040; Choker and earrings: Rs 1.45 lakh; bag: Rs 700; Snehasish Bhattacharya ensemble: Price on request

Dashami

It’s time to bid farewell to the Goddess on the banks of the Hooghly. Ushoshi turns out in a simple block-and-khari print organza sari by Akari and wears it with gold ornaments from Anjali. She has gone for a smoky-eyes look, complemented by peach lipstick and brick brown blush for the cheeks.

Prices Sari: Rs 2,050; clutch bag: Rs 1,400.

credits

ABHISHEK DUTTA 3A, SIDDHESHWARI ROAD, CALCUTTA — 700 029

ANANDA 13 QUEEN’S MANSION, RUSSELL STREET, MIDDLETON ROW, CALCUTTA — 700 071

ANJALI JEWELLERS 28A, GARIAHAT ROAD, CALCUTTA — 700 029

DARZEE 18A, LAKE VIEW ROAD, CALCUTTA — 700 029

DEV R NIL 14 ONKARMAL JETHIA ROAD, BATAITALA, HOWRAH — 711 103

LEATHER WORLD 50B, SHAKESPEARE SARANI, NEXT TO KALA MANDIR, CALCUTTA — 700 017

SANSA GROUND FLOOR, 37B, BALLYGUNGE PLACE, CALCUTTA 700 019

SAKSHI’S 104 FORT KNOX, 6 CAMAC STREET, CALCUTTA 700 017

SHARBARI’S STUDIO 40/1A,BROAD STREET, CALCUTTA 700 019

WEAVER’S STUDIO 5/1 ANIL MOITRA ROAD, BALLYGUNGE PLACE, CALCUTTA 700 019

85 LANSDOWNE 85B SARAT BOSE ROAD, CALCUTTA 700 026

MAKE-UP: ANIRUDDHA CHAKLADAR, 8/13 FERN ROAD, CALCUTTA 700 019

HAIR: NOOR ALAM

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RASHBEHARI DAS