Jewellery couturier Kalpana Sonthalia brings her new designs for the gods and divinities to Kolkata 

Kalpana sonthalia, the couturier who specialises in enrobing the gods and divinities, has released her latest Holi collection
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia

Chennai-based designer Kalapana Sonthalia is a couturier who wields a divine touch – meant especially for the gods. Deeply spiritual, Kalpana derives inspiration for her gorgeous collections from her passion for bhakti and seva.A strong individual, with an eye for detail, she set things moving nine years ago, when she first made a piece of jewellery for her family deity, Deviji. “I used to make statement pieces for friends and family, who then goaded me to take it up professionally,” recalls the soft spoken designer, who has clients across the globe.

<em>Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia</em>
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia

This year, too, Kalapana is back in Kolkata to host a three-day exhibition, showcasing a vast collection to adorn the gods and goddesses during Holi. “The Holi special collection is extremely vibrant with lots of bright colours. The clothes made of purest cotton, chanderi, gota and silk are embedded with semi precious stones and pearls, befitting the Almighty,” mentions Kalpana, who takes about seven to 10 days to create a statement piece. You can also choose from the pastel shades including baby pink, coral, soft yellow, sea green and teal.

<em>Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia</em>
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia

When marriage took her from Kolkata to Chennai, the designer developed a taste for the ornate and traditional temple jewellery in the South. Each exquisite piece from her elaborate collection, Adorning God, is exclusive in design. “Once the jewellery is made, I cannot replicate the same design. I am very particular about the way they look and I have a feeling that God guides me all through,” explains the jewellery designer.

<em>Designer Kalpana Sonthalia</em>
Designer Kalpana Sonthalia

Made of gold, diamonds, precious stones, pearls, beads and tassels, the collection is replete with palakka mala and mulla mottu mala jewels from Kerala, traditional temple jewellery including kireedam and kempu pieces from Tamil Nadu, as well as jewellery inspired by the heritage of Kolkata and Jaipur.

<em>Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia</em>
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia

Though she started off by designing jewellery and clothes for Radha Krishna, her creations now adorn Ram, Sita, Lakshmi, Ganesh, Sai Baba and Hanuman. “It was fun making adornments for Hanumanji. I created a gorgeous crown and a neck piece with beads and pearls for him,” shares Kalpana, who comes up with exclusive collections every year for the occasions of Holi, Janmasthami, Navratri and Diwali.

<em>Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia</em>
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia

But the jewellery designer has not kept her sense of style limited to only making bejewelled dresses for the gods. “Once I experimented with making board calendars with 12 pages of gods decked up in fineries designed by me. It clicked so well with my clients, that now, every year, I get inundated with orders for the same,” she tells us.

<em>Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia</em>
Adorning God by Kalpana Sonthalia

As an individual, who designs for the gods, does she have any wish to design for any particular God? “It’s my dream to design jewellery for Lord Tirupati and Lord Srinathji of Udaipur some day,” says the designer, who also delivers clothes and jewellery for deities on order. In fact, she receives orders frequently from customers both in and outside the country.

Kalpana Sonthalia’s collection will be on display from March 13-15 between 12 noon and 5 pm at 2, Ashoka Road, Kolkata - 700 027. Price on Request

Related Stories

No stories found.
Indulgexpress
www.indulgexpress.com