Durga Puja is just a few days away. Amidst all plans of pandal hopping and food indulgence, every Bengali woman has only one thing in mind — to look their best on the most awaited five days of the year. As you still try to figure out how your five days are going to look, t2 had an exclusive Durga Puja-inspired photoshoot featuring actor Sayantani Guhathakurta and four other faces from the modelling world to create a head-turner festive lookbook with gorgeous saris by fashion label Debasree’s.
“My style and sense of aesthetics are very different. When Adolina approached me for the shoot, I thought it would be challenging because it had to be Indian aesthetic. When it comes to Puja, people prefer conventional and not a lot of experimentation that I generally do. I am glad she believed in me for this. People essentially want to look classy and fabulous on the Puja days. My USP is creating a lot of drama. I have tried to keep that intact with the varied use of colours, colour blocking and designs, and I have also had several other my kind of elements at play while curating the five different looks on the girls. Talking about the kind of aesthetic I had in mind, it took slight experimentation to keep the quintessentially classy aspect alive in the whole look,” said Neel.
(l-r) Model Eeshaanee Nundy, model-actor Oshni Das
Model Eeshaanee Nundy is wearing a pastel and rustic Pichwai-painted tussore sari styled with a leather belt to create a perfect contemporary ethnic look for Shasthi. Adorned with artisanal silver jewellery, the look exudes the perfect style to vibe with on the first day of the festivities. The out-curls and the fresh peach roses add drama to the subtlety of smokey eyes and nude lips.
For Saptami, model-actor Oshni Das has picked up a purple and copper Opara silk sari with the contrasting appeal of a pink sleeveless blouse. A pearl, emerald, and kundan embellished long neckpiece has added a regal touch to the entire look. Messy 80’s bun, winged eyes, and matching pink lips are the real game-changers.
(l-r) Sayantani Guhathakurta, Priyanka Chakraborty, Adolina Ganguly
Sayantani’s gorgeous yellow and pink Patola silk sari with rich zari work contrasted with a multicoloured designer blouse could be your perfect pick for Ashtami. She has chosen to do her hair into a bun with fresh jasmine gajra. Dark smokey winged eyes and rusty orange lips beautifully complement the traditional look. Adding to that, a golden and red kundan choker with intricate design has made for a bold style statement. Speaking to t2 on her perfect Puja outfit, Sayantani said, “The Ashtami look is purely themed on tradition. No matter how modern our getup gets, we will always stay rooted in our traditions. I feel this look goes entirely with Ashtami evening. My Ashtami morning will feature a white sari with red border and light make-up.” About her Puja plans, she added, “Durga Puja is a reunion for me and lots of house parties with friends, attending a traditional Puja in a relative’s house, and of course eating out with mom. Pandal hopping and all I will be done by Sashthi, thanks to my Puja Parikrama duties.”
Corporate professional- model Priyanka Chakraborty has blended elegance with subtlety with her brown and golden Kanjeevaram silk sari that has silver zari border merging with crimson red. A maroon deep- neck sleeveless blouse, a gold thick collar neckpiece and a pair of jhumkas augment the look. Golden highlighted kohl eyes, nude lips and side-parted hair ending up in a neat bun adorned with a fresh jasmine wreath reflect a subtle royalty in the look.
Mrs India Worldwide 2018 Adolina Ganguly donned a cream and rose peach Opara silk sari with elaborate silver zari work for Dashami. The aatpoure draping style coupled with a matching pink Banarasi blouse with silver zari border makes her look elegant and sophisticated. The traditional jhumka kaan pasha is complemented by chunky bangles. The middle-parted hair smeared with vermillion, a golden carved collar neckpiece, and a tight back bun adorned with fresh jasmine exude traditional charm. “Throughout the year, we want to be comfortable and wear western wear. During the five days, we want to go back to our traditions. That is the whole concept behind this shoot. If you divide the looks, each and every look reflects the individuality of the diverse wearers,” said Adolina, an image consultant.
Makeup and hair: Adronil Abhi
Styling: Neel Saha
Concept: Adolina Ganguly
Wardrobe courtesy: Debasree’s
Jewellery partner: Amogha by Mallika and Style Addict
Location courtesy: Milee Droog Coffee & Bistro