During the period of Lord Krishna itself, Gopis were known to have worn saris during Rasa-lila with immeasurable emphasis put on colours and embroidery. The evidents on Zardosi works and Ajanta paintings point to the fact that these designs also were in currency during those period. The Mogul emperor Shah Jahan is said to have spend thirty lakh rupees for the splendidly designed wedding dress of his son. So it won’t be wrong if said that all the designs we see today have originated from its good old versions.

Here is an effort to ensure revival of the heritage embroidery. ‘Noor Jehan- The Collection’, an  exhibition of festival collection by Purvi Patel,  is the result of a painstaking research and exploration made through those royal costumes. In this collection, the designer combines all the elements of the past century royal designs on different saris and cholis. Pashmina, Tanchoi, brocades, Dessi Tussars, Ghicha silk, and Maheshwari are some of the fabrics one can find in the items in this ensemble. It also includes Jamdani Banarasi silks, Ashrafi Buttis, Taz Buttas, Pan and Aambi Buttas followed by the Ashavali borders with Poppat-bel motif.

The list also includes uppada saris with peacok and parrot motif. Most of the embroidery techniques used in the collection are from the designs of Mogul period.

Through Noor Jehan, the designer attempts to showcase a fraction of various handcrafted embroidery in her own way. The highlights of the collection are beautifully designed saris and cholis with variegated and colourful embroidery works on it. This festival collection will be exhibited in the City at Vermilion House on Cleveland Road Cross. The exhibition will be on October 29 and 30 from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. (Phone: 41225830).

dhns