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A stitch in time
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Kantha embroidery runs riot on saris at the Sharmishta exhibition
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THE SUMMER is showing all signs of being a scorcher and the time is ripe to scorch right back with some wonderfully cool saris from Sharmishta. What started off as a hobby for Shaila Nagarkatti has become a rage across the length and breadth of the country with patrons as varied as the Mysore Maharaja, actress Padmini Kolhapure and artist Jagdish Mittal to name a few.
Shaila designs the saris on paper and has a professional set them in the loom. "My hobby has given a livelihood to an entire village," Shaila comments. "That for me is true reward."
Tara's 95 Parklane is holding a sale of these woven wonders. At the exhibition you can feast your eyes on saris with exquisite kanta work in the price range of Rs. 800 to Rs. 5,000. "I have revived the ancient nakshi kantha on silk saris. Kantha is a simple running stitch used in quilts. Nakshi has a brick formation with the stitches so close together that you cannot even figure out the colour of the material." A deep blue sari in Vishnupur silk is a case in point with the vivid coloured stitches creating a blaze of hues. Also on sale are the jamdhanis starting from Rs. 2,500. Exquisitely woven in fine cotton, the saris are the last word in understated elegance. The complicated weaves translate to being difficult to duplicate.
The cotton and tussar mix saris offer a unique option with kanta work on the pallav and pleats. The dupattas (starts at Rs. 600) in cotton, tussar and silk are a must have. Drape the nifty maroon number over a simple white Lucknawi salwar kameez and see the heads spin around!
The sale is on till Saturday (March 13) so go for it.
MAC
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