Ugadi is round the corner and it’s shopping time. Cottons, silks, georgettes, chiffons, name it and Harshakala has it. Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka... fabrics from these many states and more, all under one roof is what Harshakala offers the City’s shopoholics. No, it is not another multi-story garment shop that we are talking about, but the national handloom exhibition that the City is hosting.
If Priyadarshini has traditional silk and embroidery sarees, dress materials and classy shirts, Apco has a range of cotton garments. The bedspreads, ‘lungis’ and towels here are worthy buys. The Lepakshi stall lures the visitors with Gadwal, Narsapura lace, Mangalagiri and Pochampalli sarees and dress materials. The store also sells hand bags with Banjara work.
When there, don’t forget to check out the Haryana Handlooms section that is selling silk and cotton-silk materials. The stoles and dupattas are also attractive. This is also the place for those with a fancy for kurtis and Patiala salwars. All the garments are priced between Rs 60 and Rs 400.
There is a fair share of Khantha work, hand blocked, vegetable dye, Chanderi silk, Ilkal and Ikat sarees, and khadis. Temple border sarees that come in bright hues make for a good festive pick.
Talk of fashionable and colourful garments and Rajasthan cannot be far behind. Apart from the Bandhini print fabrics, Kota sarees and materials in both silk and cotton are available. Kurtas, stoles, salwar suits and shawls with Kashmiri designs are also up for sale.
The expo is ideal if you are thinking of giving your home a makeover too, for it has in the offing some exquisite wall hangings, cool curtains and and Australian Marino, silk and cotton carpets, rugs and footmats. So make use of the discounts and shop till you drop at the Harshakala.
The expo also includes a ‘Fabric to Fashion’ section. It explains how fabric is converted into fashion. The fair, which houses over 100 stalls, is on at the Palace Grounds (near Mekhri Circle) till April 2.
