On Poila Baisakh, Eco Island swayed to the strains of folk music and grooved to beat of rap. But it was a fashion show that framed the main event — the launch of a Bengali calendar by Hidco.
The calendar was created by Made in Bengal, a platform to produce and sell products of the state. “They came to me with the idea of promoting Bengal through fashion. They shot with models in Eco Park and other prominent spots in New Town,” said Hidco chief Debashis Sen, who launched the calendar.
The calendar promotes Made in Bengal products which are sold in Salt Lake at The Sonnet. The Baisakh page, for instance, has their chhou mask fridge magnets, while Jaistha has western wear. “We travel across the state, interacting with artisans and inspiring them to produce traditional products that are suitable for today’s tastes,” said Miranda Chatterjee, co-founder.
Among the models on the ramp, the youngest and cutest was Aanaya Roy of AG Block. Aged 1 year 11 months, she also features on the last page of the calendar. “We shot the Chaitra page with two children at Swapna Bhor, the senior citizens’ park, to inculcate the message of caring for the elderly in the next generation,” Chatterjee said.
The evening also featured Bengali music by Santanu Ghosh and GC Block boy Arnab Basu followed by rap by Vikramjit Sen who calls himself Fyago.
