Durga Puja is synonymous with shopping. But it is also synonymous with last minute dressing glitches — like running around for the right shade of blouse to go with your best sari, trying to coax the tailor to make your dress even if it is well past his last day of taking orders, braving the rain and puja crowd to place your hand first on the chandbaali you have been eyeing for a couple of weeks; while all the time coaxing your dad to give you a little more money to spend since everything has become more expensive when compared to last year’s puja shopping!
Rama Gupta, a 35-year-old school teacher who lives near City Centre, said: “This year my pick is a linen sari teamed with a khadi blouse. I will wear matching silver jewellery and carry it off with black pumps. We shop all through the year these days. But the feeling for shopping for Pujas is unmatched. You buy stuff for family and cousins. Planning who will like what, which colour will suit which cousin, whether or not she has a similar sari already in her wardrobe — these emotions are typical to puja.”
|
Floral kurti Bunkaari India stocks exclusive saris sourced from weavers all over the country. Their kurtis and stoles also make for an enviable collection worth checking out. Floral motifs in raw silks stitched into the form of ankle-length kurtis are also quite a hit with Puja shoppers this season. Pair it up with metallic jhumkas and kangans for that much sought-after ethnic look this festive season. Price: Rs 2,195 Leggings: Rs 499 Stoll: Rs 895 Earrings: Rs 495 Bangles: Rs 395 each Costume courtesy: Bunkaari India, City Centre
Kantha and cotton Pakhi Kantha, applique work in tussar silk, kalamkari motifs printed into Bhagalpur Silk, embroidered florals in georgette and chiffon and embroidery in jute silk are popular with Puja shoppers this year. • Price: Rs 7,000 (Pakhi Kantha), Rs 5,000 (applique work in tussar silk), Rs 3,500 (kalamkari motifs printed into Bhagalpur Silk), Rs 3,500 (embroidered florals in georgette) and Rs 2,700 (embroidery in jute silk). • Available at: Bengal Weaves, Rabindra Pally, Kestopur
Hand-painted sari Hand-painted saris are also fast flying off the shelves this season. Bombay Silk Store, located at Kwality Crossing, stocks some fine silks acquired from all parts of India. This particular sari has a base of Bengal tussar silk. The peacock motif painted lavishly across makes it stand out. Right from colour combination to motif selection, this sari is definitely for keeps. • Price: Rs 5,800 • Available at: Bombay Silk Store
Matka silk This red matka silk from the Byloom store at City Centre Salt Lake is sure to be a hit while you plan your look for the ever-so-important Ashtami anjali. The texture is slightly rough, in keeping with the handloom feel. Dress up for the day in gold jewellery paired with the quintessential red bindi and step out in style. • Sari: Rs 10,500 • Blouse: Rs 998 • Neckpiece: Rs 2,625 • Earrings: Rs 2,100 • Costume courtesy: Byloom, City Centre
Batik sari with embroidered blouse If it is Bengal, batik is never out of fashion. It keeps coming back every year in a new avatar, something that makes you fall in love with it over and over again. This flame yellow and orange batik sari has got a brown woven border, something that adds a different look to the baatik print. Team this up with metallic jewellery and embroidered blouse. • Sari: Rs 2,500 • Blouse: Rs 1,865 • Earrings: Rs 210 • Costume courtesy: Byloom, City Centre
Linen Linens are all the rage this season.This royal blue linen sari paired with a khadi blouse and silver jewellery is simply a must-have in your wardrobe. Not only is the fabric soft and easy to drape, it also stands for six yards of class. You could also try silver anklets or silver kangans to complete the look. • Sari: Rs 4,500 • Blouse: Rs 1,575 • Earrings: Rs 1,890 • Clutch bag pink: Rs 1,145 • Costume courtesy: Byloom, City Centre
Skirt gown Skirt gowns are the rage this season. If you haven’t got one yet, go get yourself this piece of attire from the Jashn store at City Center II. The top is made of blue chanderi silk while the lower portion is made from net, with added flares to add to the spread. • Price: Rs 6,500 • Available at: Jashn store at City Centre, New Town
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Agreed Surekha Panja, 40, who came to shop for pujas at City Centre on a weekend with her sister, mother-in-law, four-year-old daughter and her sister’s fiance. “My sister works in an IT firm. On weekends it is all casual for her, while at other times she is dressed in boardroom formals. I am planning to buy her a few silk kurtis along with matching jewellery. My mother-in-law and I plan to buy handloom saris and script print silks. We are all big fans of silks from across India. The idea is not just to shop but also to spend some quality time with family. This year we are also welcoming my sister’s fiance into the family. So I have also brought him along so we can spend more time together and get to know each other better,” she said.
When it comes to saris khadi cottons, gamchha checks, linens and weaves are all the rage this year. Also flying off the shelves are silk kurtis with floral motifs, aztec prints, script prints and tussar silks. Shailesh Agrwal, from Bunkaari India City Centre, said: “Our handloom sari collection is a big draw. So is Chettinad cotton, prints on Kerala cotton and silks from South India.”
Says Jaidip Ojha of Bombay Silk Store: “Printed silks are always popular in Salt Lake. This year saris from south India are doing well. Silks from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh also have a lot of takers here. Tussar silks with hand-painted motifs are popular with people looking for niche saris.”
Apart from saris, skirt gowns, floral skirts in silks, geometric and retro-printed tops and dresses are a rage. So are kaftaans in tie and dye along with strong architectural influences. Corsets with shapely waistlines, luxurious satins and delicate drapes are definitely a must-have! This season the drama factor is high so you could also invest in some shimmer and gold net-based clothing. The colours to look out for are candy floss pinks, sky blues, strong greens juxtaposed with bold tribal prints. Happy shopping!
Showli Chakraborty
Pictures by Shubham Paul
