Bhubaneswar: Behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry are the unheralded few who add sheen to the stars - both on and off the screen.

Sabarni Das, who hails from Kendrapara, revels in the challenge. A renowned costume designer in the Bengali film industry, the 57-year-old began her career as a journalist.

He says her journey into the world of fashion happened by chance. In 1997, noted filmmaker Aparna Sen asked her to style for her film, Paromitar Ekdin. Das's life was never the same after that.

"I started costume designing to experiment with life. I never knew that it would become a career later," she said.

She always had a keen interest in Indian weaves and handicrafts as well as films.

Life came full circle for the Odia woman after she received the National Award for costume design in 2013 for her work in Srijit Mukherji's Jaatishwar.

Das was in the city on Tuesday for a felicitation ceremony as she received the Aarya Award. For Das, winning an award in her own state was quite overwhelming.

"Generally, people behind the camera seldom get recognition. But I am really happy that my profession got its due," she said.

Daughter of famous Odia writers Kanduri Chara Das and Kalpanakumari Devi, she admits that the fabrics of her homeland has been an inspiration for her.

"The weaves of Odisha are very rich. I have implemented them in many of the costumes in a number of films," she said.

She has worked on a number of popular Bengali films - Durga Sohay, Zulfiqar, Har Har Byomkesh, and Rajkahini. With no formal training in designing, she reads and observes to stay updated.

She also expressed a willingness to work in the Odia film industry. "I never got any opportunity in the state. But I am really looking forward to be a part of the industry here," she summed up.

She is now working on a film with Mukherji.