Lyrical touch to Bengal craft

A BREATHTAKING collection of cotton and silk saris, embellished with kantha and alpona the two great craft traditions from West Bengal, is all set to make giant fashion waves in the city. Ethereal, dream - like, elegant and muted, the kantha embroidered saris, that has been a couture favourite for long, have been conceived and created by Suvam of Calcutta. Each sari is a tribute to the intricate beauty of kantha embroidery, which once held bits and pieces of throw-away cloth together to form exquisite quilts! Equally lyrical are hand painted, `alpona' saris which are literally `art wear' celebrating Jamini Roy art forms and figures on saris and pallavs.

Presented by Fabindia, the sari exhibition begs for superlatives. The `alpona' saris are particularly lyrical in their bold depiction of rural Bengal. A scattering of Shantiniketan art motifs, floral and vine patterns also distinguish the painted alpona saris. The paintings meld beautifully with the texture form and borders of the saris.

The kantha-embellished saris are equally compelling. Many are heirlooms. Intricately delicate and almost jewel-like in their depiction, kantha stitches cover entire saris in dense motifs or highlight pallav and border teamed with a delicate all-over sprinkling of motifs. Done on plain or bordered silk, teamed with tie and dye or prints, Suvam's kantha saris are innovative in design and concept. Many are fit for a bride in their richness and their sheer evocative beauty.

The Fabindia exhibition also offers a range of kantha and alpona dupattas. The exhibition and sale which opens at Fabindia (Ilford House, 3 Woods Road, Anna Salai) will be open to the public on June 22 and 23.

Splendour of jute

Cool, golden-hued and textured jute wears many innovative faces today, far removed from its original gunny bag avataar! Spun to a fineness which rivals cloth or textured with a rustic look, jute is now being used increasingly as upholstery and soft furnishings and for many functional lifestyle articles.

Many of them are on display at an exhibition-cum-sale organised by Grama's, an outfit which works with jute and textile weavers, in the are a of innovative product development in jute.

Grama's products are well finished and have a light look and feel. Smart jute satchels, shopping bags and clutch bags are some of the attractive items on display. Many of them are embroidered with jute yarn or pretty block prints. Jute has also been teamed with cotton and korai grass with attractive results. Also available are office folders, organisers, pencil boxes etc., all conceived in jute.

Jute, now a favourite with fashion designers, is presented by Grama's in a variety of smart jackets. The jackets sport textured weaves with touches of embroidery, block prints etc. Also available are an array of smart bags to go with the jackets, jute slippers and accessories such as attractive jute hair clips.

Jute's entry into curtains is sure to be welcomed by interior designers and home-makers. Grama's presents jute panel curtains stiffened with korai grass. These can be hand washed and are cool and attractive, environmentally friendly and ecologically sensitive. Other jute artefacts available are jute photoframes, toys etc.

Grama's exhibition of jute products, currently on at 11, Tapovan, Arunachalpuram 2nd Street, Adyar, concludes on June 24.

PUSHPA CHARI

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