Silken Charm

With motifs comprising various types of birds,animals,flora and fauna,it’s no surprise that a weaver in Varanasi takes nearly 16 weeks to create the Shikaargah sari. A masterpiece,this type of silk sari is a rarity in today’s times when the tradition of handwoven fabric is being replaced by power looms. An ode to the hunting tradition of the royals in the past,the Shikaargah is part of a special collection of Benarasi weaves that is being exhibited at a trunk show at Taj Chandigarh. With machine prints substituting the finesse and intricate beauty of a craftsman’s weave,master weavers across India,including those in Varanasi,are facing neglect and penury. With an aim to generate livelihood for them,the Taj group runs Taj Khazana project that hosts exhibitions of “revival” crafts across cities. Considered to be among the finest silk saris in India,the Benarasi collection here also includes the Jamawar. Each Jamawar sari is a shimmering tapestry of intricate design,in colours that range from the traditionally deep,rich shades to delicate pastels. A minimum of four months go into the creation of each Jamawar sari,which typically boasts of diverse designs and motifs influenced by different parts of the world like the paisley. Also worth a look is the Jaangla. True to its name,this sari borrows motifs from the foliage of a jungle with the likes of the bagh boota (bunch of flowers),pankha booti (fans),kairee motif,phool booti and jaal booti. The trunk show is also showcasing Benarasi fabrics. The price tags are both pocket-friendly (for the fabrics) and steep for the bespoke saris.

The show is on till September 7,from 11 am to 8 pm,

at Taj Chandigarh