Trunkpetti at Varnam presents a vibrant collection of Chettinad saris

Owner Karthik Vaidyanathan lets us in on what to expect
Trunkpetti at Varnam presents a vibrant collection of Chettinad saris

It was barely two months ago that Karthik Vaidya-nathan of Varnam, the store that celebrates Channapatna crafts, hosted a sale of the Patteda Anchu saris of northern Karnataka as part of his pop-up series, Trunkpetti. Now, he turns his attention to Chettinad cotton, with Chettinad Diaries, a sale of cotton saris from the region. “Chettinad is known for its checks and huge double borders. While many women feel they need to be thin or tall to carry them off, that’s not true of a lot of Chettiar women who carry these off with ease,” says Karthik who has roots in Devakottai. He tells us more about what to expect:

What inspired you to curate Chettinad Diaries?
I was born and brought up in Mumbai, I am originally from Chettinad. I would spend the two months of every single summer holiday at both my grandparents’ homes in Chettinad. Those years have had an influence over my work at Varnam Craft Collective. 

How were the saris sourced?
I visited quite a few weavers over a few days to judge the authenticity of the process as many a powerloom sari is today sold as a handloom one. 

Tell us about the curation process.
My memories of my mom and grandmother in their favourite Chettinad cottons, played a huge role in the collection that I have put together. I have curated saris that have stayed true to the essence of Chettinad handlooms even if interpreted in a modern way.  

What are some of the most prominent features of the collection?
I have kept away from the typical temple borders or the huge motifs. I wanted them to be subtle in their weave yet stand out in terms of the colour-play and also their wearability. 

Rs.1,950 upwards. June 28 to July 1. At Indira Nagar

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