Apt for any occasion

Ask any women and she will be more than willing to tell you about her journey – from how she reached the store to selecting the pallu design.

Celebrating these cherished memories for its customers of more than 50 years is Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Ltd (KSIC), which is holding a week-long exhibition-cum-sale of Mysore’s silk saris at the Karnataka Government Secretariat Club.

The exhibition comprises of vintage saris collected from their customers and have been manufactured before 1969.    “It only shows that silk saris were not only cherished back then but even now,” says Chandrashekhar, the deputy manager of KSIC.  Vimala, who had one of her saris displayed at the exhibition, says that she still remembers the day she went out to pick up the sari, which then had cost just Rs 150.    “I really wanted a nice red silk sari and during that time owning a silk sari was a huge thing. I knew exactly the colour and design I wanted to have and was on top of the world when I got it at KSIC. But I had never imagined that it would be chosen for a display here,” she adds. Her sister Bharati’s sari too is on display, “The beauty of silk saris are that they are apt for any occasion.

They are far more comfortable than any chiffon ones and they make you feel good,” adds Bharati, who had purchased the sari for a mere Rs 200.Today, the prices of some saris may have increased to whopping Rs 1 lakh but they continue to be popular. Says Vijaya, who still cherishes her mother’s wedding sari of 1958, “I have a sentimental value for all my silk saris because not only have they been made in my State but also have been worn on precious occasions. I know for a fact that even for my daughter I will pick up only silk saris.”Unlike before, these days the designs have also become modern. There are also other saris like crepe, Kasuti embroidery, georgettes and plain printed saris. “This is after keeping the choice of the younger generation in mind,” says Chandrashekhar.

There is also a photo display of the entire process of how a silk sari is made, “It’s called cocoon to fabric story. Every year we make it a point to not only provide our customers with the latest designs but also inform them about how the sari is made and why the KSIC is different from others,” says Chandrashekhar. The exhibition-cum-sale will be on till November 21 from 10 am to 8 pm.