Why keep aside the glamorous Benarasi just for the wedding trousseau? Designer Pinki Sinha’s Spring-Summer Edit ’22 showcases her signature Benarasi collection with a contemporary twist and versatile appeal. A riot of bright and happy hues, easy-breezy silhouettes and fabrics and trendy design detailing define the collection, where the usual gorgeous Benarasi is toned down into glam and comfy summer festive or occasion-wear styles. Actress Priyanka Sarkar plays our muse, and an anchored boat sprinkled with fresh summer blooms, the serene Ganges and the muzzy view of the Howrah and the Second Hooghly bridges add to the beautiful frames. Here’s The Telegraph’s Poila Baisakh Benarasi lookbook, shot on a boat, courtesy Polo Floatel, Kolkata:
Is there any Poila Baisakh ritual you look forward to?
New clothes and Bengali food from outside. Previously, we used to step out to eat. But for the last two years, we are not stepping out due to the pandemic. Celebrating with family is the only ritual I look forward to.
What are your plans for this Poila Baisakh?
I have events to attend in the evening. I like it when the first day of the year begins with work. But before that I will be spending time with my family. Have lunch together and spend a lot of time with Sahaj (son). Kids feel very excited about new clothes and it is very special for him too, so I try to spend time with him.
Can you share with us any fond childhood memories of Poila Baisakh?
My fondest childhood memory is getting to have ice cream on that day. My mother had made this ritual that throughout the year we could only have stick ice cream that was available in the neighbourhood, but on Poila Baisakh we could have the good ones like Cornetto and Chocobar. These were considered expensive then and we could only eat them on this special day. So, that used to make us feel excited. We used to get new clothes and receive sweets. Wherever we used to go, we were offered sweets and sherbet. We would go to choose and buy the clothes a week before.
Poila Baisakh means all things new. If you had to make one new addition to your life what would that be?
Self-improvement. It is a never-ending process. I have a lot of flaws in me. Only if I can recognise those, I will be able to rectify them. I would like to work on that. I want to be more confident, more social. I overthink a lot. I would like to socialise more... work on my personality (smiles).
Do you shop for Poila Baisakh?
I do shop for Poila Baisakh. But I also shop so much throughout the year that if I have to wear something new on Poila Baisakh, I wear it from that only. But I buy for my family, I buy for Sahaj and I buy gifts for those I love and like to give gifts to.
How does your April wardrobe look like?
April wardrobe has a lot of cotton, summery dresses. Since I love denim, I wear it while going for shoots or anywhere else, so a light summery shirt or T-shirts. Lots of cottons and light colours. Sandals, sunglasses and maybe a cap.
Are you a Benarasi person?
I am a Benarasi person. I love Benarasi sari or fusion wear with Benarasi. I wear less traditional attire, but if I do, I like to stick to a sari. For jewellery also, I like traditional styles instead of modern and contemporary styles.
Do you have an inherited or treasured one?
Not inherited but a treasured one, yes. I have two Benarasis that I bought with much love and wore during my wedding. For me, the wedding look had to be a traditional red Benarasi. There can be no replacement for that. And a pink reception Benarasi. Those two saris from my younger days are my treasured possessions.
This year must have started on a bitter-sweet note for you with back to back shoots and your accident.What helped you to cope during the difficult time?
Yes, the year started with my accident. It happened on December 3. So, I had to spend New Year like that. Now, I am slowly recovering and trying to resume work. And with God’s blessings, the work that got delayed is happening now. There is a lot of good work coming up. I coped during that time by looking forward to good times when I would recover. That always motivated me. I always thought that I have to heal quickly and get back to work. My friends and family were constantly supporting and encouraging me. They kept trying to lift my spirits. I am very thankful to all of them. And obviously, Sahaj was there almost 24 hours. That time his school was closed and he was having his winter vacation, so he also took care of me in his own way.
Your plans of holidaying with Sahaj also had to be postponed. With the Bengali New Year here, did you make any further plans of spending mother-son time together?
Yes, our holiday plan got postponed. But since after so long schools opened, Sahaj is going to school and enjoying that. Seeing that I feel good as a parent. My initial plan was to take him on a holiday after completing an ongoing project but I am not going soon. I want to wait till his summer vacation. So as soon as his summer vacation starts, we will fulfill the pending plan.
You are back on the floor with a bang, shooting for Manabjamin. How is the shoot going?
Manabjamin shooting is on and it is a great experience working with Srijato da. It is such an important work. I think the audience will like it too. It will touch people’s heart. The entire team is very supportive and caring, for me, this is very important now. Joining work after three months, I am still not completely healed. If I stand for long or walk for long, it gives trouble. So everybody is taking excessive care because of that. I don’t need so much, but still everyone is very attentive. They keep my schedule in a way so that I can get some rest. That’s really nice. I was hoping to do such a work with Paramda (Parambrata Chattopadhyay), Paranjethu (Paran Bandopadhyay) is there. I am very grateful to the entire team for their support and love and for giving such a nice opportunity.
What else is in the pipeline?
Bibaho Obhijaan 2 will be completed. We might start shooting for that. A Srijit Mukherji film is there. Preparations for that are on. And Kolkatar Harry will be releasing on May 6, so looking forward to that, too.
A perfect festive morning-to-evening look, the traditional Benarasi weave has been designed with an edgy touch by giving it a flow using georgette. The summer-friendly look is further enhanced with the colour gradation of pink and peach. The zari stripes add a contemporary touch, along with glittery eyes, a complementing lip colour and the hair worn open.
A colourful and super glam festive evening or occasion-wear look, the chevron-patterned bright pink lehnga is detailed with seven different colours and intricate zari detailing. A mix of floral and geometric design makes it summery and contemporary in its appeal, paired with a sheer organza dupatta.
In a summery yellow shade, the crisp kora Benarasi sari features an interplay of zari stripes and triangles, adding a refreshing twist to the simple look. Highlighted with gold border and a belt, the look is completed with a statement neckpiece.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Styling: Sumit Sinha
Hair and make-up: Suman Ganguly
Jewellery: Sara Costume Jewellery
Location courtesy: Polo Floatel, Kolkata
