Kankatala was started way back in 1943 by late Kankatala Appalaraju. With over 75 years in the industry, the brand now stands for exquisite heritage offerings from across the country. From their first store at Vishakapatnam to nine new stores in Andhra Pradesh and retailing online, the Vizag-based brand has for the first time ventured into Coimbatore with a two-day exhibition at Vivanta.
A class apart
Talking about staying relevant with current trends and contemporary designs, third-generation entrepreneur Anirudh Kankatala explains, “We handpick saris as per current trends. Out of thousands of saris we pick only the best hundred for our customers. Also, we specifically work with weavers and stylists to customise colours, especially in pastel shades.”
Silk of gods
With a popular theme like Kinds of Kanjeevaram on display, the exhibition is giving centre stage to the weave. “Kanjeevaram has high demand across the country, as people like the grandeur of the big border. Zari is also what brides look forward to when the picking wedding trousseau,” adds Anirudh. Created from mulberry and interwoven with silver threads and dipped in gold for zari, the Kanjeevaram sari has gracefully moved from the old traditional weave to a more contemporary style with myriad colours and designs. Eight different varieties like pastels, big borders, tissue, kora, kuttu border, kattam, vanasingaram, ikat and parijatham will be showcased in the city.
Special picks
Though this is their first time in Coimbatore, the brand already has a loyal following with over a hundred customers, we are told. Expect specially curated collections for festivals and Royal Bridal Collection for the wedding season and The Queens of Andhra collection featuring the six queens from the Telugu-speaking region with each design inspired by each of the queens. Apart from this, look out Benarasi, patola, paithani, gadwal, khadi, jamdani, Kota, linen, organza, kalamkari and tussars.
Young and free
Catering to their younger customers, the showcase offers digitally printed and lightweight options like organza and linen as well. As for sentimental customers who do not want to wear a god or goddess on their sari like the ones on kalamkari, an array of floral patterns with birds are also available.
Price ranges from `3,000. On September 24 and 25. At Vivanta. From 10 am onwards.
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