Traditional saris, designer blouses, tribal and ethnic jewellery, handmade bags, kalamkari jackets and kurtas were some of the showstoppers at Sananda Saree Utsav 2022 in association with The Telegraph. A fashion extravaganza with a difference, it showcased exclusive festive collections from 25 boutiques from the city and beyond. Model and actor Sauraseni Maitra formally inaugurated the exhibition which was on till August 21, at the Birla Academy of Art & Culture. The Telegraph took a walk-through with the actor as she browsed the stalls, cutting a pretty picture in a mauve georgette Lucknowi chikankari sari. Snapshots.
Sauraseni checked out the brightly coloured cotton printed and hand-worked bedspreads, perfect for adding a dash of warmth and cheer to your bedroom.
Sauraseni couldn’t resist trying on this pretty nose-pin from Melodrama, which specialises in pure silver and brass jewellery. “I have a fetish for silver jewellery and I find the collection here amazing. I wish I could buy them all,” she wistfully said.
Sauraseni was very impressed by the hand-painted and hand-woven saris with innovative motifs at Wishes boutique. Since the last 20 years, the boutique has been engaged in empowering rural women who design and curate these exclusive saris.
Sauraseni picked up this elegant leather handbag in tribal design from Saaji.
The svelte actress looked resplendant as she posed in a lavendar katan Benarasi sari by Aarvi. “Saris are my absolute favourite when it comes to dressing up. Though I may not get the opportunity to wear them all year, you will always find me adorned in saris on all days of the Pujas. I will definitely pay another visit to Sananda Saree Utsav with my mom for Puja shopping,” she said.
Sauraseni seemed quite besotted with this stylish block-printed halter-neck blouse-cum-crop top from Koza. The stall also showcased cool and summery cotton dresses.
Sauraseni was touched to be presented with a pure kalamkari uttariyo by the manager of Mriganayani, a brand she has endorsed in the past.
An exquisite Dolabedi tussore sari (right) from Odisha and a Tangaliya kala cotton sari (left) from Gujarat displayed at the Indigo Eth stall. Most saris at this stall are revivals of forgotten, centuries-old styles and weaving techniques and are sourced from weavers in remote villages across the country.
Smart, durable, handmade jute bags by Saaji (left) intricately-designed, hand-embroidered cotton blouses by Koza (right) were among the popular picks at the exhibition.
Pictures: B. Halder
