There is a strange beauty about memories. They warm the cockles of one’s heart, leaving a lingering fondness as an aftertaste. They are journeys — of growth, of vivid dreams, of heartbreak, of breaking barriers and looking back at it all with a smile, with the contentment of how far you’ve come. As we sat in a room on the ground floor of Sourav Ganguly’s famous Behala residence one September afternoon, nostalgia hit us like a wave. Surrounded by moments from his stellar cricket career, both as the Indian captain and as a player, and some off-the-pitch memorabilia, those fiery years (1996-2012) lit up our imagination in just a few minutes.

Nandita Raja, who founded heritage textile den Kanishka’s, along with her husband Dilip Raja, in 1970, chose her favourite backdrop for a slice of one more memory. Almost a keepsake. Dona Ganguly, the Odissi exponent who has been married to Sourav for close to three decades, has been Kanishka’s patron for many years. We had gathered at the landmark Behala address she calls home to shoot a special feature with her on the occasion of Kanishka’s turning 55.

With minimal being her style, Dona stepped out of her comfort zone for this shoot, and aced it. Her beloved Sugar kept her company in a couple of shots.

As we sat down with Raja and Dona later to relive their association, memories came tumbling back. Years were rewound in minutes. Frozen in time, but still so palpable. The conversation was an easy one with the two women, generations apart, brought together by the love of the eternal drape, the sari. Excerpts.

How long have you been a patron of Kanishka’s?

Dona: I don’t remember, actually. I would accompany my mother to Kanishka’s as a kid. As I grew up, I started liking their cotton saris with the signature prints. They were so colourful. Over the years, I have also bought Kanishka’s saris as gifts for my mother and mother-in-law and other friends of mine. People have always loved Kanishka’s saris because they are classy and dignified.

Do you have any favourites?

Dona: We have been buying saris from Kanishka’s now for the last 15-20 years. Now, when I go to Kanishka’s, I see that I pretty much have their every design (smiles).
Raja: You were saying you wore a sari on Sana’s (Sourav and Dona’s daughter) 18th birthday. Was it from Kanishka’s?
Dona: Yeah, a black sari.

Nandita aunty, this must be a compliment for the brand that Dona has all Kanishka’s styles...

Raja: It is indeed! (Laughs) She’s been loyal to us. I have seen her since she was a little girl. Dona’s home used to be like a jalshaghar (music room). There would be so many artistes performing.
Dona: Dipali Nag (eminent Hindustani classical vocalist) used to stay in Behala. I have been trained in singing with her as a child. Our hallghar used to host all her performances. The hall has, in fact, seen plenty of prestigious concerts by the likes of Rashidji (Khan) to Ajoy Chakrabarty...
Raja: A.T. Kanan...
Dona: Malabika Kanan, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay...
Raja: I have memories of Dona welcoming the artistes with flowers...
Dona: Yes (smiles). I used to give them flowers and pay my respects. That was a staple. So for a lot of people who are culturally inclined and have been listening to music for a long time, for them, our hallghar is a prominent memory.

Nandita aunty, what do you remember of Dona from when she was a kid?

Raja: I have seen her since the time she had just started to train in Odissi. And, it feels incredible that the little girl I saw then has grown up to be a Kanishka’s woman today. It feels special that she is sitting here in front of me today, draped in a Kanishka’s sari. I feel so proud.

I have seen generations grow up at Kanishka’s. Little school-going girls who used to accompany their mothers are now Kanishka’s patrons themselves and visit me with their next generation.

I was just telling Dona that I wish I could get to see Sana in a Kanishka’s sari soon. It’ll be three generations for me then. Someday she’ll hand Sana to Kanishka’s, maybe.Dona: Sana has outgrown the stage of being handheld! (Laughs) Soon, she will handhold me!

Tell us about the saris you chose for Dona for the t2 shoot...

Raja: I felt Dona had traditional looks.Dona: I think the selection depicted the variety that Kanishka’s has. The Odisha tribal sari was particularly apt for my connection with Odissi.

Dona, why does a Kanishka’s sari stand apart, for you?

Dona: I like them because they are different. These are saris you wouldn’t like to give away. You might not get to wear them frequently, but they will forever be a part of your wardrobe. They are all collectibles.

Nandita aunty, how do you look back at Kanishka’s 55-year-old, staggering journey?

Raja: Interestingly, Dona just turned 50! She really does sum up the journey (smiles). I keep telling my daughter-in-law (Priyanka Raja) that show me one family where the business has been helmed by one generation alone. In most cases, the next generation steps in. In this case, I have been running Kanishka’s single-handedly for so many years now. It’s not as if I like everything I do, but my heart fills up when my Kanishka’s family appreciates my efforts. It is as if they find themselves in the designs and they identify with them.

Dona: What she is wearing is so my type!

Raja: She even liked my neckpiece (laughs). My Facebook posts also get a lot of queries about the saris, and honestly, the feedback feels great. I’ll tell you a story. Kanishka’s posted a picture of me wearing an old Benarasi from the time of my wedding in 1967, which had cost me ₹150, on my birthday. You won’t believe, people till date, keep asking me if that sari is still available! Love is a huge boost.

Dona, what is your message for Nandita aunty?

Dona: I wish her all the best and let her continue for some more years, so that we have some more lovely saris.

Styling: Sumit Sinha

Hair and make-up: Abhijit Paul

Assisted by: Sananda Mondal Laha

Jewellery: Curio Cottage