ass by the streets of Mylapore or Alwarpet during the month of Margazhi and all you will see is a splurge of colours everywhere from kolams to ladies in pattu saris. Apart from just shopping, you have options to attend some of the sari jamming and block printing workshops and storytelling sessions.
Celebrating the sari
As a tribute to pan-Indian handlooms, this sari festival will bring together a curated collection of eight weaves across India. “Woven, printed, embroidered. I wanted to bring my love for drapes into the festival. And Margazhi being the season of 360-degree celebration of art, music, and food is an ideal time for an exhibition,” says Himanshu Verma, the Sari Man. With a subtle and not trend-driven approach, expect gadwal saris from Telangana-based Aadya, Chanderi from Meekhailo and abstract saris from Andhra-based Eachaneri.
There will also be a session on experimentation on draping styles and accessorisation followed by an interactive talk by fashion bloggers and stylists. The list includes CEO of Parisera, Vinutha Subramania and Didem Atahan Fabig, a sari enthusiast. Alongside is an Instagram campaign with a sari challenge to highlight the weaves of Tamil Nadu. You can wear your favourite sari and post it on Instagram with this hashtag #sareefestival.`3,500 onwards. December 14-16. Amethyst.
Printed to please
Chaani, a Chennai-based apparel brand that specialises in block printed saris with artisans from Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan along with Wandering artist is holding an exhibition-cum-workshop. The owner,Vidyuth Sreenivasan, who has been into block printing and pigments since 2005 is organising a demonstration where people can try their hands at it. “Blocks with five colours will be assembled on a table and people can choose their blocks and get the pigment printing on to their clothes,” says Vidyuth, owner of Chaani.
Alongside workshops, they have a display of handwoven saris from Mangalgiri and near Salem. The collection will showcase block printed saris across Chettinad, Kota, and Andhra Pradesh. `1,300 onwards. December 15-16.
Spin a yarn
Shringaara, a day-long women’s collective by Chennai-based Shiuli boutique celebrates personal stories and memories through saris. Deeptha Vivekanand, a stellar storyteller and Ranjani Sivakumar Siddareddy will do a storytelling and music ensemble. It will be centered around poets from weaving traditions, Kabir and Thiruvalluvar. There will also be a piece called Weavers by Sarojini Naidu. Madhu Shukla, a powerhouse storyteller will hold an interactive session with women on saris. “There is a reversal in trends where the younger generation is actually starting to like more of their grandmother’s saris,” says Uma Bala, owner Shiuli creations. `1,500. On December 23. The English Tearoom.