The age-old kantha bears the stamp of hours of hard work and perseverance. The same vigour with which Malika Varma of the more than three-decade-old Malika’s Kantha Collection, spearheaded by her mother, a feisty Shamlu Dudeja for so many years, has been trying to give it a contemporary spin. Malika’s own wedding shamiana was in kantha and over the years, the label has seen apparels, home and decor pieces aplenty in the timeless craft. Malika now has come up with a line of shrugs and capes to reach out to a different generation, which believes in fuss-free chic dressing. She previews it with The Telegraph with Ukrainian poetess, writer, translator and culture manager Iryna Vikyrchak as her muse.
The afternoon at ITC Royal Bengal’s luxurious Skypoint sees Iryna slip into one statement piece after another. We keep the accessory game minimal to complement the craft of kantha, just like the make-up and hair by Abhijith Chanda who always believes in ‘less is more’. A dab of foundation on Iryna’s flawless complexion, defined brows and a clean liner is what Abhijith sticks to for most part of the shoot. The moment he lays his eyes on the beautiful white-on-white look, though, his eyes light up. “I’ll go for red lips with this,” he smiles, giving Iryna the look of the day. #diva
This look has a relaxed brunch written all over it. The navy blue contemporary summer cape with “single colour kantha” is teamed with a white dress for a cool and casual look. White Wine Spritzer is the drink for the moment.
A late weekend lunch with your best friend, carrying on into a sundowner, is all about candid catching up. Hit your comfort zone in this “kaftan-style oversized shirt”, team it with black pants and pull your hair in a neat bun. #nofussstyle A sip of Summery Afternoon is the perfect partner to the endless gupshup.
I was very impressed when I learnt about kantha from Malika and Shamlu (Dudeja). I was born in Ukraine and I was raised by my grandmother and she showed me the love for handicrafts. In my culture, hand embroidery is appreciated so much. Our national outfit is called Vyshyvanka, which is a traditional embroidered shirt, mainly done in cross-stitch and every region has its own traditional motifs and colour palette. There is this universal energy that unites women all over the world. I wore a kantha for the first time at trials for this shoot.... I think it would be the best present to the women who are so dear to me. It is representative of Indian culture, spirit, values and mentality
Iryna Vikyrchak, Ukrainian poetess, writer, translator and culture manager, who currently lives between Poland and India
This is for a special dinner. The beautiful “white-on-white fully embroidered kantha dress with a jacket embellished with intricate beadwork” is an elegant choice for a date night with your man. The red lips and the subtle pearl pieces add to the elegant charm of the look. Say cheers with Rose Up.
If you just have five minutes to head to a party from work, throw on this asymmetrical one-shoulder cape with a timeless paisley motif over your denims. Slip on some hoops and wear your smile. And hit the refresh button with Clear Gondhoraj.
My point was how do I reach out to the younger people? These can be worn by all ages and at any time of the year. Yes, kantha is a traditional hand embroidery of Bengal but not necessarily for a certain age group. It has reinvented itself. Iryna can’t believe it is all hand done. She is so happy to have this choice of a no-fuss line that just adds glamour to whatever you are wearing
Malika Varma of Malika’s Kantha Collection
Sarbani Mukherjee, bartender, Skypoint, decodes the drinks that are an “ode to the moods of the sky”, the ones which served as great props for the shoot, for The Telegraph.
Floral Jamun: Jamun, the seasonal fruit, is the key ingredient in this vodka-infused drink. The beautiful-looking drink is an ode to the dawn colour of the sky before the sun wraps the city with its golden fingers. It draws inspiration from the classic cocktail Aviation.
White Wine Spritzer: This drink is a lovely concoction to sip while spending time with friends and family. It combines the freshness of exotic and seasonal fruits and is a tribute to the early morning
mood of a clear sky.
Clear Gondhoraj: A clear gin-based cocktail combines the distinct flavour of Bengal’s gondhoraj lemon to give a delectable experience. The gondhoraj is a home produce, grown in our gardens. The drink reflects the cheerful clear sky and is a tribute to the region.
Summery Afternoon: The colours of this white rum-based beverage reflect a perfect sunset as seen from the rooftop bar of ITC Royal Bengal Skypoint. The drink is presented on a terracotta plate, a local craft.
Rose Up: A refreshing beverage which combines sparkling wine with coconut water and garnished with a local flower kathgolap, both grown in our gardens. The colour of this drink is again a tribute to a glorious sunset after a rain-washed day.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Hair and make-up: Abhijith Chanda
Location: Skypoint, ITC Royal Bengal