An exhibition of saris in Chennai weaves collectively tales of nostalgia, grief, and celebration

Cousins Neela Krishnamurti and Vidhya Srikkanth grew up watching the likes of Rekha, Raakhee, and Sharmila Tagore, waltz throughout the silver display in drapes of various hues. “Back then, these had been our influencers,” says Neela, a former promoting filmmaker.

But there have been some others who knowledgeable the fashion decisions of this trendy duo too. “Our moms and aunts would put on the best of saris and look beautiful in them. It had extra to do with their manner and smile than their sari itself. I keep in mind how they might all gravitate in the direction of earthy tones in silk saris,” Neela says, reminiscing. She provides that the sisters grew up sporting one another’s saris, blouses, and garments, and had been at all times supported by their moms when it got here to their vogue experiments.

“I used to be single and needed to put on a white sari to Vidhya’s wedding ceremony. You know what the elders say concerning the color throughout a marriage. Although some individuals chided me, my mom advised me to do as I happy and at all times supported me. Vidhya and I each misplaced our moms just lately. The loss was immense, and I’m nonetheless coping with it. We needed to do one thing collectively throughout this time. That is after we considered saris,” says Neela.

Between September 18 and 20, Neela and Vidhya, will show over 200 saris in Kotturpuram. They will embody saris from the Benarasi tissue, Benarasi tussar, Chanderi, pure tussar and moga tussar. “Vidhya has been working a clothes design studio for years and has the knack of placing collectively a number of the most uncommon colors collectively within the cloth. In order for the saris to shine, we’ve additionally put collectively fascinating contrasting blouses,” she says. Expect to see conventional block prints and jamdanis; and in addition some gold within the border as Deepavali approaches.

In order to experiment, the duo are taking part in round with the motifs within the border by taking inspiration from their South Indian roots, significantly in legendary Tamil creatures like yazhi and berunda. The borders have been sourced and printed in West Bengal, whereas the saris have principally been sourced from Chennai and Mumbai.

Back in 2005, when the 2 cousins arrange their first such exhibition, they referred to as it ‘nv’, a phrase play on ‘envy’ — a portmanteau of the names. This time although, they’ve determined to flip it a bit of and name it ‘laya’, a mix of the final two elements of their title. “Laya additionally means rhythm and move. We need to hold this enterprise fluid and see how this present goes and need to make sure that we get it proper. Our subsequent such experiment is prone to be one thing very totally different, maybe some indo-western put on,” she says.

Laya is on September 19, 20, and 21 at No. 5, Ambadi Road, Kotturpuram between 11am and 7pm.