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The six-yard fantasies

The sari is an evergreen favourite but adding creative embellishments to enhance its beauty is the USP of Sanskruti Silks

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE Sanskruti offers a wide range of saris that are not just exclusive, but occasion-specific as well.

However comfortable Western apparel may seem, the six yards has always held a fascination for women, and pride of place in the wardrobe and for any occasion. It has never failed to capture the eye or make a statement when worn to flaunt its beauty and versatility. The simple sari, over the years, has morphed into exotic creations, each unique and exploring the creative talents of artists and designers.

Stunning designs and unique concepts have given the unassuming sari a distinctive character in the collections at the recently opened outlet of Sanskruti Silks. Here the sari appears to have taken on a new meaning, a different hue that is not only exclusive, but also almost poetic in its manifestation.

The intricate work and complicated designs on some of these saris is stunning. Besides the intricate work, there is some cunning blending of fabric to highlight the work.

Shashi Singh Dabi, proprietor, Sanskruti Silks, says: "We opened this outlet with the express purpose of offering a range that is not only exclusive but spectacular in terms of creativity."

The entire range on display is designed by her and her husband Indarjeet Singh Dabi.

Typically, her display includes brocades, hand woven Kanchi silks, chiffons, tussars, besides others. These are embellished with zardosi and kundan work, metal and sequence work, appliqué work, gota work, embroidery, and studded with stones and crystals that include a large helping of Swarovski. "Most of these are focussed saris meant for particular occasions. The others, with toned down work, are meant for casual wear."

Some saris sport hand-dyed designs too. Says Shashi: "Initially we have a theme and the work on the sari is centred around this theme to bring it to life." To elaborate her point she draws attention to the peacock theme on one of her saris where zardosi work, stones and silk threads have been woven together to depict the peacock as opening its feathers.

According to Shashi, not only are her designs unique, so is her work. "The cut-work done on the saris is different from what is available in the market."

Innovations like a two-piece sari, butterfly sari, ready-made sari, hog the limelight. "The two-piece sari is very comfortable, easy to drape and not bulky. It is very popular among young women. Similarly the readymade sari is a big hit especially among women who are not well-versed in wearing a sari."

The butterfly sari appears to be equally breathtaking not just in the detail work, but also in concept. This sari dispenses with the nuisance of wearing a heavy pallu. Almost universally, all the saris have work focused on the border and pleats and each comes with a heavily embellished blouse.

Plenty of embroidery and embellishments have been added on hand-woven Kanchi silks. "This takes away the monotony from regular silks and makes the saris fit to be flaunted anywhere."

Some of her embroidery on silks and crepes are done in cotton "to lend a village-work look".

But the most unique aspect of her collection is her bandhini work and the dabu prints. "These dabu prints are very tedious and time-consuming and done only by seasoned artists. Here the block prints are done with clay, after mixing the desired colour into it," says Shashi. "The bandhini work we do here depict very fine dots. Only an expert can keep the dots this tiny when he ties and dyes. The normal bandhini work comes in larger dots."

Her block prints too appear to be unique. "The colour combination and prints allow women of all ages to wear them." There is a combination of contemporary, abstract and traditional in the prints.

Multiple block prints are also done on a single piece — a difficult task — and to this they add a telescopic style of printing, where the border width varies to give a dramatic effect.

There is a large mix of silks, chiffons, net and jute to lend that unique look. The effect is further highlighted with suitable embellishments.

Sanskruti Silks is located on 100-Foot Road, Indiranagar, and can be contacted on 41529277/95.

NANDHINI SUNDAR

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