BH Block hosted a graceful and glamorous fashion show during the Pujas, bringing together multiple generations on one stage.
The first round was for senior citizens, where septuagenarian Swati Mukherjee and Nandita Banerjee walked in traditional Bengali saris and Mousumi Mitra walked in Western wear.
In the next round, elderly ladies walked with their grandchildren. Five-year-old Mahirah stole the show walking holding grandmother Swati Mukherjee’s hand. In tune with granny’s white sari with red border, the child wore a frock with the colour red in prominence.
“When I was approached for this show, it felt like an opportunity to prove that age is just a number,” said Mitra. “We may be aging physically but mentally are still strong and cheerful. My own children and grandchildren live out of town but I walked with other kids of the block.”
In the round for teenagers, 13-year-old Trina Mukherjee showcased a glittering silver dress. “I was slightly nervous but gradually gained confidence,” she said. Sanvi Tiwari and Sanvi Dasgupta walked holding hands.
“This is my first time on the ramp but I love watching videos of supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Shalom Harlow. I liked the idea of connecting generations in today’s show,” said Sanvi Dasgupta. Adityarup Mukherjee was among the three male participants in this round. “This is my third time on the ramp, but this time I’m most at ease as it’s in my own block,” he said.
The final round was for women, who walked in traditional, Western as well as fusion wear. “Involvement of all generations was what made this show special,” said Tannistha Mukherjee, who appeared in a co-ord outfit. “From my family, four age members joined aged five, 13, 40 and 70-plus. My mother-in-law doesn’t wear red since her husband passed away, but today she wore a red-bordered sari and red bindi at my insistence to break the stigma of our society.”
The show was conceptualised and directed by Priyadarshini Singh, who was the showstopper. When she took stage all participants broke into a jig and walked the ramp together.
“I began with the choreography just two days ago and managed with a single rehearsal as everyone co-operated. The elderly ladies joined whole-heartedly despite health issues,” said Singh, winner of some Mrs India contests, national gold medalist in gymnastics and zumba instructor. “I also received help from my husband K.R. Singh, who prepared the accompanying music punching slokas with Western and Hindi hits.”