Bidita gets into Dashami finery by Sunipa Samadder, complete with the sindoor and red bindi and (right) Michael sports the traditional Bengali look with a dhoti, angarakha and uttariya by Sharbari Dutta. Pictures by Pabitra Das. Location courtesy: The Park

It?s almost over now, leaving you with the feeling that the fun had just begun. You?ve sailed through the past two days ? pandal-hopping, unending adda sessions and chilling out with friends ? but long before you?ve had your fill of fun, Puja 2005 is on its way out.

If it?s time now to bid adieu to the goddess, you must do it in real style. And there?s just one fashion statement befitting the festive finale ? deck up in your traditional best.

For Goodlife, designers Sharbari Dutta and Sunipa Samadder dress up models Michael and Bidita in ethnic finery for Dashami. Make-up artiste Aniruddha Chakladar creates the look for the last day of the Puja.

Her

l As we move from Navami to Dashami, all within a Wednesday, Sunipa drapes Bidita in a sari that suits the flavour of the Navami arati as much as it gels with the sindoor khela look.

?This is an occasion when a Bengali woman wants to flaunt her feminity to the fullest. Keeping that in mind, I?ve given Bidita a red sari paired with a cream and gold corset, to be in rhythm with the ethnic Bengali colour story,? says Sunipa.

The red crepe tissue sari is adorned with hand-crafted tissue flowers embellished with loose sequins and stones, and attached with cut-work.

?The sari draws inspiration from floating flowers. I visualised the pious look when we float flowers on the Ganges. With every stride and movement the sequins and stones shimmer like the reflection of light in water. And so, the sari is apt for such traditional celebrations,? explains the designer.

The sari, draped in the traditional Bengali way, has been accessorised with gold jewellery, with a bunch of red and white bangles on one hand.

In keeping with the spirit of the occasion, Aniruddha has given Bidita a very traditional look, complete with the sindoor and a big red bindi.

The eyes have been done up with gold-copper eye shadow on the socket, black shadow in an extended pattern, lots of thick kohl on upper and lower lid with extended ends and mascara on the lashes.

Soft brown blush-on has been highlighted with gold. The lips wear a natural brown with gold gloss. Bidita?s hair has been done up in a big, traditional bun.

Him

l The occasion demands men to get out of their westerns and flaunt the traditional Bangali look for the day.

For Michael, a bright red silk dhoti embroidered in black with a matching uttariya has been paired with a tussar angarakha with copper zari embroidery.

?This particular style of silk dhoti is the traditional wear in the temples of Sambalpur in Orissa. It comes with the matching uttariya and lends a rich and opulent look that goes very well with the festive spirit of Dashami. It?s very traditional and yet very gorgeous,? reveals Sharbari.