The biggest festival of Bengal, Durga Puja, is incomplete without dressing up in traditional bests. No matter what the new trends are, traditional looks never go out of style. Like a dhoti. Men try to sport it at least once during the five festive days. And, in recent times, it has also made a place in a woman’s wardrobe. t2 gets you styling ideas through this lookbook, shot at Sonar Tori restaurant in City Centre Salt Lake, with Parambrata Chattopadhyay donning four drapes only for t2.
First dhoti experience is often memorable for people. Do you remember the first time you wore a dhoti?
For a school play. We were staging Hobu Chandra Raja Gobu Chandra Mantri and I had to wear a dhoti. I think I was in Class X and that was quite funny. This was one memorable experience and the other one was (when) I had just started acting and there was a telefilm on ETV Bangla something called Devdas Paro…there was a scene where I had to change into a dhoti but the dresser was busy and I was running out of time. The creative director of the film, Nandinidi, my college senior had to help… and at the university (JU) she was three-four years older than us and I had a bit of a crush on her, so that was very embarrassing. I don’t know whether to call it embarrassing or charming! But it was interesting. (Laughs)
Parambrata flaunting different ways to wear dhoti and explore this Puja
LEFT- Parambrata shows how to channel a casual dhoti look for the Pujas. The brick-red ajrakh-printed shirt from Bohurupi Santiniketan is teamed up with a kantha dhoti from Parama. It is draped in an easy-to-carry pant style, paired with sneakers to match the vibe. Parambrata’s candid charm complements this look further.
MIDDLE- Keeping in mind the blazer and bandhgala trend, we have created a Saptami dhoti look for Parambrata by pairing a monotone dhoti with just a bandhgala. The patchwork sequin embellished bandhgala from Abhishek Ray is paired with a beige-gold dhoti from the same designer, draped simply.
RIGHT- Ashtami is all about opting for a look that’s traditional to a T. This maroon handwoven jamdani panjabi from Parama is worn with a white Shantipuri dhoti, draped like a shawl. Parambrata is a complete Bangali babu in this frame!
We have always seen you carry the Bengali look so well. Are you a dhuti-panjabi person in general?
I am a panjabi-pyjama person, not dhoti so much. But I think I am warming up to the concept of wearing a dhoti more regularly. I think with age, I am also gaining that confidence and elan to wear it. I was pretty giddy about wearing a dhoti earlier but I think it is very elegant. I don’t know whether it can be workwear for me. However, a lot of eminent people have made dhoti their workwear, like our ex-chief minister Jyoti Basu or our ex-president Pranab Mukherjee and a lot of other people. I don’t think it can be a workwear for me but I am getting more regular about it as an occasion wear. And in this t2 shoot, of course, Abhisek is giving me a lot of ideas!
A person whose dhoti looks you love?
I think Soumitra Chattopadhyay. I think the two people who carried their dhotis the best are Uttam Kumar and Soumitra jethu.
Navami is always about channelling some regal vibes. This traditional asymmetrical silk panjabi with kantha work on a royal blue is paired with the white-and-blue dhoti from Bohurupi Santiniketan. Abhisek has draped the dhoti in the quintessential Bengal pleated style. The pleats are tucked in comfortably, making it easy to carry
Do you have a dhoti style that you find comfort in?
The simple paar-wala dhoti (dhoti with a simple border). Nothing too fancy.
One occasion where dhoti is a must for you?
Ashtami!
Styling: Roy Abhisek
Hair and make-up: Abhijit Paul
Assisted by: Sananda Mondal Laha
Location: Sonar Tori, City Centre Salt Lake