Designer Pinki Sinha takes Benarasi beyond the wedding trousseau with her new Diwali collection. From marrying Benarasi with bandhani for a more appealing fusion fabric to reinterpreting new styles of this classic, gorgeous weave apt for festive wear — the collection can take your from am to pm in an eclectic range of styles to match your mood on the festive day. A t2 lookbook with actress Sauraseni Maitra as the muse:
SAURASENI’S DIWALI MUSTS AND MEMORIES
What are your Diwali memories from your childhood days?
My grandmother’s house is right opposite my house, so all my cousins, my neighbours used to gather on Kali puja with their firecrackers and we would burn it together. Going to buy crackers at Baji Bazar was the fun part as we used to stock up as much as possible. My brothers were always oversmart, so they used to go for chocolate bombs and such crackers! But I used to always stick to fuljhari. At that time we weren’t aware of the pollution it causes. At my dida’s place Lakshmi puja happens on the Kali puja day and we still celebrate it together with our neighbours. As a kid, I used to also go for Kali puja pandal-hopping with my mother and aunts.
How do you spend it now?
I have to go to my dida’s house once as the Lakshmi puja takes place. But mostly, I have lots of invitations to attend on this day at various friends’ places. It is fun.
What do you look forward to most during Diwali?
More than Durga puja, I have always been very excited about Kali puja. Not even Diwali, it has always been about Kali puja for us Bengalis. Kali is my favourite Goddess too... so I like this festival even more. I really like how all the houses are decked up with lights. Kali puja is coming means a competition in the neighbourhood — whose house is decorated how much with lights. That’s still there.
Do you participate in decking up your house with lights?
Absolutely! Putting up those fairy lights every year is something I look forward to.
I have noticed some of my neighbours have already hung their lights, I have been too busy but I have to get that sorted soon. (Laughs) I also look forward to lighting diyas on Bhoot Choturdashi, we follow that ritual at home. Fairy lights, we always hang one week prior to Diwali and keep it till Bhai Dooj.
Do you have any Diwali special favourite food?
Ahhhh! Sweets, of course! I love the sweet hampers I get every year during this time, especially from our non-Bengali friends. Laddu and kaju katli are my favourites; I stock up my fridge with kaju katlis!
How do you like to dress up on Diwali?
Diwali fashion for me is something that is very easy-breezy. I try to avoid synthetic though most gorgeous looks are based on that. I try to wear something very eco-friendly that doesn’t have a risk of catching fire. But it must have a pleasant appeal to it. I want something that I can wear from a morning puja to a Diwali party. I usually go for a fusion or traditional look.I have noticed some of my neighbours have already hung their lights, I have been too busy but I have to get that sorted soon. (Laughs) I also look forward to lighting diyas on Bhoot Choturdashi, we follow that ritual at home. Fairy lights, we always hang one week prior to Diwali and keep it till Bhai Dooj.
Do you have any Diwali special favourite food?
Ahhhh! Sweets, of course! I love the sweet hampers I get every year during this time, especially from our non-Bengali friends. Laddu and kaju katli are my favourites; I stock up my fridge with kaju katlis!
How do you like to dress up on Diwali?
Diwali fashion for me is something that is very easy-breezy. I try to avoid synthetic though most gorgeous looks are based on that. I try to wear something very eco-friendly that doesn’t have a risk of catching fire. But it must have a pleasant appeal to it. I want something that I can wear from a morning puja to a Diwali party. I usually go for a fusion or traditional look.
More about the collection:
1 Sauraseni cuts a stunning frame in this royal purple handwoven Benarasi sari featuring the classic geometric-patterned exquisite kadwa weave in a light silver zari. The bright pink border with a woven silver complements the purple base. A timeless addition to your wardrobe, your Diwali evening look in this sari is sure a head-turner!
2 The widely loved sari-and-dupatta look has been reimagined and styled with a twist. The rani pink Benarasi silk sari with an intricate zari-detailed border and weaving pattern has been draped as a lehnga, with a contrasting green boota dupatta with tassel detailing at the edges. The statement nath completes this contemporary Indian ethnic festive look.
3 If your personal style is all about making a sassy style statement, you can do so in a Benarasi too on a festive evening! This emerald and black mashru silk Benarasi with trendy stripes has a silver and gold floral-motif border. Pair a statement choker and you are ready for a classy style statement at your Diwali party!
4 Keeping up with the trend of flowy outfits, perfect for an Insta boomerang twirl, this bright red angrakha in a Benarasi and bandhani fusion fabric is a Diwali mood-setter. The Benarasi turban instead of a dupatta adds an edgy style to the simple look.
5 An easy-breezy festive daytime look in this bright yellow shade is an instant mood lifter! A fusion of bandhani and Benarasi silk, this dhoti skirt and kurta set tied with a fabric belt around the waist is for an Indo-western Diwali day look. The outfit is complemented with minimal statement jewellery pieces, the hair pulled up into a bun, dewy face with a hint of tint and nude lips.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Styling: Tanvi Shah
Make-up: Tapsee Paul
Jewellery: Avama Jewellers, Chicvi by Poonam Bhuwalka
Shoes: Hamlyn
Location: Hyatt Regency Kolkata