The ‘Leela Showcase’ is an expo of works of art by the foundation. Not just that, the show also featured a collection of clothes created in association with designer Sunipa Sammadar.

The Mrittika Foundation is a Kolkata-based trust working with rural artisans of Bengal. “Our focus is to preserve and spread awareness about traditional art forms of Bengal” says Malini Mondal, Trustee, Mrittika Foundation.
‘Leela’, the brand under which the foundation retails its creations, features work by artisans that work at the trust. The trust attempts to blend contemporary designs into the age-old arts. “This is the first time I have brought our work outside of Kolkata. I think Bangalore has great taste, which is why it was my first choice for an exhibition,” says Malini.

The art work is not highly impressive. The huge terracota pots, metal statues and wooden showpieces though well-made don’t really seem to be worth the price. These creations include silk wall hangings as well, with Kantha work. The works of art are priced between Rs 3000 and Rs 9000 which seems to be a big amount for terracotta handicrafts, even if it is for a good cause.

However, the ‘Leela Showcase’ is brightened thanks to the range of designer wear. Sunipa, a Kolkata-based designer has worked with yardages woven at Mrittika Foundation to create the garments. The collection featured saree ensembles, tops and skirts.

The gorgeous range of sarees was in cotton, raw silk and tussar. The simple and elegant sarees came in blacks, whites and mustard but the highlights were the blouses. The blouses for the sarees are actually similar to a top and come in bright blues and deep greens. These stunning tops complement the sarees.  There were skirts and tops in silk too. In lovely mustard and crimson red, these straight skirts are fitted and stunning. To complement these there are not just the usual tops but corsets, a speciality of Sanipa’s. “My own line has a lot of corsets and I tried to incorporate that into this collection as well. So apart from the traditional ensembles there is a choice of Indo-western ensembles as well,” says Sunipa. The entire collection had a geometric theme running through it; when asked, Sunipa said she was inspired by the works of Dulal Mukherjee, a Kolkata based architect. Her range is priced between Rs 2000 and Rs 10,000.

The evening also featured some brilliant Odissi performances. Renowned danseuse Sutapa Talukdar and her troupe brought the stage alive with powerful performances. Dressed in Sunipa’s collection, the lively dancers gave the collection a different feel. 

The collection is on display till today at Raintree, opp. ITC Windsor Bengaluru.