Puja shopping this year has been mostly about muslin and Assam khadis. Most boutiques in the twin townships and the VIP Road area have seen a notable shift in the number of khadi saris flying off the shelves.
“Assam khadi saris are very in this year. They are mostly Assamese motifs inspired by muga silk motifs, but in handloom and cotton saris. Price range varies from Rs 2,000 to 4,000, depending on the quality of the material,” says Arpita Banik, owner of Pari Boutique at Kestopur Rabindra Pally.
Also, matka silks are very popular. “People are loving the texture and feel of these saris. In the last couple of years, they lapped up linen jamdanis but this year khadi jamdani is a bigger craze among shoppers. The jamdani motif is highly appreciated on all fabrics, especially khadi saris and also blouses,” adds Banik.
“Saris are always the first choice for women. We have saris from Rs 500 to Rs 35,000,” says Tamasha Mukherjee Roy, owner of Sri Ramkrishna Asish Srima at CK Market.
“All kinds are doing well with customers as this is the festive season. Even though oriental dresses were a rage last year, people still love to wear traditional clothes during an occasion.”
Bibi Samanta of Blooming Tales in CG Block says saris from Benares are doing well this year. “People are buying kora Benarasi, khaddi Benarasi, silk Benarasi and also tussar Benarasi quite a lot. They are very popular among both older and younger women,” she says.
Kalamkari, madhubani and kantha work on silk and cotton have also found many takers. “We have special designs in kalamkari, bagru and cotton dresses. We also have co-ordinated sets which look good on both men and women. Gender neutral clothes are also a hit this year,” says Sarmistha Sen Das of Bikikini boutique in New Town’s CA Block.
But men, stylists say, tend to stick to traditional wear such as kurta pyjama, bandhgalas, khadis and Jawhar coats. Since the wedding season is right after the festive one, most men stock up on traditional wear at this time of the year. Neha Modi, who runs Modi Fashion near Chinar Park, said: “A lot of men come to me asking for something they can wear both at weddings and pujas. I give them long or short kurtas, pathan suits etc. They don’t fuss around much with clothes. The women however like variety and are more conscious about what they want to wear.”
(From left) A red and white handloom sari from Pari Boutique at Kestopur Rabindra Pally; Knot katha kalamkari work in tussar silk at Pari Boutique; Silk kaftan at Sri Ramkrishna Asish Srimaa in CK Market