While the possibilities that a 9-yard fabric offers are endless, the Indian fashion landscape seems to be undergoing a veritable renaissance of rediscovery. The meticulous effort that goes into crafting certain fabrics could not be amplified enough and constitutes an entire industry in itself. However, a subtle resurgence can be seen when it comes to taking the painstakingly beautiful effort several levels further with the elegant craftsmanship of hand-painted curtains.
After Sara Ali Khan made headlines by sporting a heirloom Mayyur Girotra lehenga made from vintage brocade saris, Genelia Deshmukh finds herself in the fashion spotlight, courtesy of her unique choice of 9 yards. What’s so special about it, you ask? A lot.
Genelia Deshmukh’s Kanjeevaram represents India’s textile paradise
It’s hard not to stare endlessly at the curated images Genelia has shared, in which she proudly models one of her strongest looks in recent times. A rustic peach, carefully edged with bold maroon and gold, effortlessly made to pair with a silver, gold and teal striped blouse – while this in itself is enough to catch the eye, we are yet to reveal the details about the timeless effort that is reflected in the body of the saree. Lavanya’s Aamra saree upholds the theme of Natyam in the craftsmanship it boasts of. Dancing figures are joined with pitta and sequin embroidery with the Tree of Life also making an appearance. Kalamkari craft is the true heroine of this saree story, an art whose origins date back to the 17th century in Andhra Pradesh.
Alia Bhatt’s Pran Pratistha saree was another ode in this regard.
On the topic of hand-painted saris, we can’t help but recall the nine-metre aquamarine sari that Alia Bhatt wore to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. As revealed by her stylist Ami Patel, Alia’s sari of choice for the momentous occasion was a Mysore silk. The body of the sari was bare (Alia is known for her rather understated and minimalist aesthetic), but it was the pallu that caused a stir in the fashion community. Painted in the Pattachitra style, the pallu depicted various scenes from the Ramayana, from the Shiva Dhanush, the golden deer, Sita’s apaharan, Ram Setu, Lord Hanuman’s visit to Lanka and even the Ram Pattabhishek. The last detail you should know about this sari is that it took 100 hours to make.
Back to the modern era: Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor
Deepika Padukone has a special affinity for Sabyasachi and has been spotted on several occasions wearing several of his most exquisite creations. One such look dates back to December 2019. Also hand-painted, as befitting the theme of our piece, the whimsical multi-coloured artwork effortlessly alternated between swirling patches of cool and warm hues, sparsely lined with semi-coloured gemstones. Moreover, this saree was specifically painted by Sabyasachi himself, for Sabyasachi Art Foundation’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection.
Kareena Kapoor has also dabbled in this very niche of saree heaven. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, one of Kareena’s first looks featured her in a pale blue organza saree, with a pale pink Bebo hand-painted on the bust, flanked by subtle floral work. The cloud-like golden guldastas were a final detail absolutely bathed in candyfloss, which is definitely worth mentioning.
Do you also like hand-painted curtains?
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