Tradition of a silken thread

While frequenting the cultural centres in Lodhi Road area, one at times comes across exhibitions that are unconventional and arresting. And it is difficult to exit once you have entered the gallery. This is because there are a number of options to choose from the point of view of shopping!

The recently concluded ‘TSutra’ exhibition at Alliance Francaise, was one such ‘unconventional’ do. The mannequins draped in kurtas, sarees and tunics enticed femalefolk to enter the gallery. Once inside, there were a lot of designs that cast their spell on the visiting gentry with Kantha dominating the interest. From stoles to tunics and even bedspreads, done in fine needlework that defines Kantha, the items looked especially appealing since they were recycled from sarees.

Showing Metrolife one of these recycled garments, Raminder Khan from Sasha said, “We work closely with the village women and therefore our designs are replete with rural designs and tribal motifs.

We even design tribal jewellery, but our focus for this exhibition is on garments.” Handwoven textiles, prints, surface detailing in kurtas, kaftans, tribal panelled tunics, embroidered sarees, silk stoles, patchwork and layered jackets, wraps }in various cotton textures and silk prints were also
on display.

Besides these, a treat awaited bag lovers. None could resist the allure of the leather totes (with laser cut design) showcased at the exhibition. The designers believe in detailing and thus the inside of these totes was lined with fine silk. The detailing could be seen even in the beauty pouches which had quilting on the inner side.

Some artefacts of dhokra such as the camel and elephant book-ends and a Nandi (Shiva’s mount or vahana), made it difficult to resist buying them. But the highlight remained the wool and silk shawls.

“The two fabrics, wool and silk are stitched together through fine thread work that makes it look like one. People now come to us asking for this since they were a hit in our last exhibition too,” adds Khan.

In sarees, the Bangladeshi silk sarees with Batik print were outstanding. Alongside designs from the brand Sasha, there were also works of designer Sonal Dubal in winter fabrics (including lookalike of Japanese kimono) that kept women busy shopping at this exhibition!