The elegantly glistening, luxurious fabric Silk holds a special place in the hearts and minds of people all over the world. Known for its longevity and elegance, the silk fabric is naturally associated with its richness and class. So enamoured and smitten are we by this luxurious fabric, without which no woman’s wardrobe is complete.
Silk sarees are a must-have for any special occasion in India. They are worn at weddings and given as gifts on special occasions. They are even treasured and passed down through generations. As much as we love the lustre and richness of the fabric, the silk production process is tedious and labour intensive.
The process of silk production, widely termed sericulture, is a lengthy one that demands close attention. It is not just a method, it is an entire story in and of itself. The first step involves the cultivation of high-quality silkworm feed. It is followed by the raising of the indigenous worm species in a controlled environment until the pupae spin the silk cocoons. Finally, the silk is plucked manually and weaved into fabric. The labour-intensive work requires a considerable amount of manual labour and detailing.
In order to pay tribute to the eastern artisan community of India, Ummaira presents to you their latest “Silks of the East” collection. This collection highlights the ancient craftsmanship while retelling the tales of Karigari. If you’re on the lookout for something sophisticated yet subtle, then Ummaira’s “Silks of the East” collection ticks all the boxes. Have a look at the four fresh looks, donned by none other than the fashionista and actress, Tnusee Chakraborty:
Look 1: Mekhala Chador
Tnusree steals the show in this traditional Mekhala Chador, which is an Assamese indigenous traditional outfit. Paired with a statement necklace, she looks absolutely stunning. With its handcrafted finery and exquisite blend of hues and shades, this drape showcases the rich Assamese culture.
Look 2: Kessa Paat
Light and breezy, this masterpiece of a drape beautifully encapsulates the artistic essence of Assam. The white Kessa Paat saree by Ummaira exudes an infectious sophistry. Keeping it as minimal as possible, Tnusree finished off her look with a messy bun and a pair of gold earrings. Simply beautiful!
Look 3: Madhubani Art
Madhubani artwork on silk sarees looks exquisite and oozes a magical charm. Teamed up with a bindi and matte red lip colour, the actress looks elegant. The beautiful artwork is a tribute to the dying art of our very own weavers of Bihar, who are striving hard to keep the traditions of eastern India alive.
Look 4: Swarnachuri Silk
Each Swarnachuri silk is a forever integral part of any Bengali woman’s wardrobe. Known for its intricate patterns and figurines, the Swarnachuri silk is the heritage of Bengal. It is often referred to as the illustrious sister of the Baluchari silk saree. Adorned with gold thread work all throughout, these sarees are more
expensive than other fabric sarees as they never lose their sheen. Teamed up with a beautiful choker necklace and gajra, Tnusree looks ethereal.
Look 5: Jamdani
The Jamdani, which originated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is an art form in and of itself. This stunning drape is adorned to perfection with a generous spread of flower and twine design motifs on a bed of sheer muslin in the most endearing blue and purple hues. These sarees can be worn and passed down through the generations, yet they never lose their lustre at all.
The eastern side of India houses different silk species like Murberry, Muga, Paat, Eri, Tassar, Ghicha, Baluchari and Jamdani, to name a few. The homegrown Silks of the East, embellished with intricate weaving techniques, depict scenes from Indian epics on sarees. The Moirang Phee of Manipur, for example, or the fascinating folklore displayed through hand-painting techniques in Bihar’s Madhubani sarees, or Orissa’s much-coveted Patachitra heritage.
Ummaira’s “Silks of the East” collection also showcases traditional silks like Bishnupur Katan, Tassar Benarasi, Katha on Tassar, Ikkat and Patachitra from Orissa and Bhagalpur Tassar, among others. The range starts from Rs. 4,000-5,000 and goes up to Rs. 30,000.
“The ‘Silks of the East’ collection brings forward the dying art of eastern silk weavers, which is otherwise overlooked. The silks of eastern India are precious gems that carry our heritage. However, it is very disheartening to see that these precious gems are on the verge of extinction, and our limited eastern weavers are now facing challenges to showcase their talent. The whole idea is to promote, propagate and preserve the richness and sheen of eastern silks and encourage people to accept something that is so beautiful”, said Debaroopa Bhattacharya, the owner of Ummaira.
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