Date:07/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2008/08/07/stories/2008080751160400.htm

Back Metro Plus Bangalore Chennai Coimbatore Delhi Hyderabad Kochi

From Bengal for Onam

Rang Mahal from Bengal brings cool, ethnic cottons for Onam

Photo: Vipin Chandran

ethnic dressing There is a new range of designs on the traditional fabrics

Rang Mahal, the House of Bengal Weavers from Nadia has opened their account here in Kochi. “It’s the first time we are coming to Kochi though we have come earlier to Kozhikode with our exclusive saris,” says Sharmishta.

The Pradarshan Gallery, on the ground floor of BTH Hotel is filled with saris and salwar-kurta material, all ethnic types. The exhibition and sale started on August 6 and goes on till 16th. There are around 3,000 pieces and the traditional Bengal cotton goes haute, keeping the old values and imbibing the latest style statements. For example, the conventional border goes wider and the body gets lines, buttas and what have we here! A whole new kind of design.

Every year, Rang Mahal comes out with new designs, says Sharmishta. This year, they have designed many saris ‘specially for Onam,’ which are in off white with traditional borders. Every pattern therefore has an off white version. The other colours are traditional, earthy and pastels.

The new motifs in the saris are tribal and very ethnic, while some are abstract. There are even landscapes woven on the saris. The Tangail Nakshi borders, Baluchari embossed woven cottons, nakshi jal motives; all are something you can look for.

There are a few silk saris, all Dacca Jamdhani, which are originally from Bangladeshi weavers, all completely handmade, with earthy colours and these mulberry silks, with matte finish cost Rs. 3,000. The prices for these saris range from Rs. 400-Rs 3000.

The range of Bengal cotton salwar suits is varied. The patterns on these sets are also traditional ones.

The weavers in the villages are helped with the designs and they include these into the traditional designs. The saris with mixed colours all have blouse pieces.

The bold experiments in weaves and colour combos are a varied range. There are more than 3,000 pieces that have been brought: Cool ethnic cottons for Onam, from Bengal.

PREMA MANMADHAN