“This is good... that’s even better! OMG, look at this! It’s gorgeous,” said Riya Sen, browsing through the sari collection at CIMA Art In Life, though Moon Moon Sen’s younger daughter isn’t really a sari person. “I hardly own a sari. I borrow from mummy or Rai (Raima Sen, elder sister). For the t2 shoot, Riya walked in in black palazzos and a white ganjee. “I just have two blouses — a black and a gold sequinned one because these are colours that go with every sari... but looking at the collection here, I am tempted to wear saris more often,” said the Kolkata Calling actress. The five saris picked for the shoot were all in her favourite colours — red, green, blue, white, brown, magenta. “Wow.... I haven’t looked so beautiful... ever!” said Riya, going through the photographs post-shoot. We couldn’t agree more!
“My idea of a Benarasi sari was those heavy ones that are pretty cumbersome to wear. But at CIMA Art In Life, you get a light-weight georgette Benarasi and that’s amazing because you can wear it to any event, not just weddings,” said Riya while draping this bright orange georgette Benarasi (Rs 12,950) Bengali-style. A metal buti neckpiece (Rs 5,450), a bright red bindi and tangerine lips make it a totally traditional look. “I have never tied my hair in a bun and I rarely wear a bindi. But I like the look... umm, pretty indeed!” said Riya. Red batua for Rs 750
This striking green Benarasi sari with a satin border in teal blue (Rs 9,075) shows that Benarasis are not just about dressing up. “Let’s ditch the neat look for this sari,” suggested Riya, who left her hair a little messy and wore an oxidised neckpiece in gold and silver shades (Rs 7,950) as a tiara.
If you look closely, none of the accessories is a perfect match with the magenta-and-blue Kanjeevaram (Rs 11,750). The handbag (Rs 1,325) is a deep navy blue and the neckpiece is in silver and red (Rs 8,250). Even the gold on the blouse is a shade blingier than that on the border. “I hate matching stuff. Since the sari has two very dominant colours — pink and blue — it’s best to choose accessories that are poles apart. Besides, the sari is so gorgeous that no one’s gonna notice the accessories,” said Riya.
A silk sari with stripes is a must-have; it is a clutter-breaker in a wardrobe stacked with traditional designs. This Bengal silk in coffee brown (Rs 3,850) is t2 and Riya’s favourite. “What a smart-looking sari!” said Riya. “I love the stripes in multicolour. I can wear it to a party or a very formal get together or just an evening out with my family. I can die to wear this sari!” Riya laughed out loud. A stack of thin silver bangles (Rs 3,750) and dainty silver earrings (Rs 3,450) sit pretty on the actress’s petite frame.
Easy and super chic, this drape is for the college-goer. Riya wears this traditional Baluchari sari (Rs 7,525) in white and red over black tights, with the pallu cinched at the waist with a cummerbund (Rs 425). Teamed with gold-plated earrings (Rs 4,950) and a stone-studded necklace with a peacock motif (Rs 14,500), the look is tradition-meets-trendy at its best. “What a lovely sari! This speaks of class. And it’s a fun way of draping,” smiled Riya.
Pictures: Pabitra Das;
hair & styling: Deepa Mallick
CIMA Art In Life is on from 11am to 8pm every day till October 19 at CIMA (Sunny Towers, 43 Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue)
