Date:16/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2005/04/16/stories/2005041602160300.htm

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Vibrant tie-and-dye range

COLOUR PALETTE: Black and white are the Bandhej colours for this season

Saleha and Asif are in Kochi for the fourth time in a row. Each year they come from Pune along with their colourful range of tie and dye fabrics and saris for a near sell-out Bandhej sale. And that's reason enough to open an exclusive counter of their products at a city store. That there is a growing market for the colourful, Gujarati tie and dye ethnic prêt is anybody's guess. "The response here has always been good," say the couple who has with them this time a newer, fancier range for their clients.

New range

Along with the customary tie and dye collection what is special this year is the elegant combination of traditional weave, print and craft on cloth, from the different states of India. So you have block prints on Lucknowi chikan material with `ari' work from the villages of Gujarat, or you have West Bengal kantha work on tie and dye fabric, you have dupattas with resham(silk thread)borders, Kutchi tie and dye with Ahmedabad block prints and many interesting combinations in beautiful colours. Mirror works, chamki work, gold and silver khari work all embellish the fabrics to almost being party wear. Their special summer offer is in classic black and white with flashes of vermillion red, superimposed with golden khari work, on some, that adds to the richness.

Cotton

To beat the heat the collection is mainly in pure cotton with summery light and flowing georgettes, perfect for sultry Kochi evenings, too in the repertoire . The salwar kameez cotton sets range from Rs.500 onwards. The more intricate the tie and dye work, the more expensive the material. So a combination set costs Rs.700 upwards. The collection also has the traditional gajji silk sets and saris costing Rs.4000 and above. Saleha says that the gajji collection is brought mainly for the Kutchi families living in the city who place orders with them. Besides all this they have brought with them hand embroidered borders and patches to be artistically stitched on to the salwar suits. And this beautiful collection is on sale at Bharat Tourist Home till April 18. Bandhej's exclusive outlet in the city is at The Big Graffiti, Kadavanthra.

P.S