The simplicity and beauty of the Ilkal Saree " The festival of Lord Ganesh and what you could wear"

Simple is beautiful, in today's fast paced life of constantly trying to better each other, there is no space to accept simplicity. Be it in clothes, food or our life choices we are trying to dazzle the people around us.

What we seem to forget is there is a grace in simplicity which overshadows the most embellished piece of cloth. It stands tall with its clean lines and solid color making its pristine existence drown out all the other noise.

This being my what to wear for the Ganpati Festival series the theme is "Simplicity with Panache" one of the sarees that absolutely fits this bill is the "Ilkal Saree"

This is a Ilkal in cotton fabric

Ilkal Saree takes its name from the town of Ilkal in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka state.  Ilkal sarees are woven using cotton warp on the body and art silk warp for border and art silk warp for the Pallu.

This purple hue with a red border is simply stunning. Silver jewelry worn with it will make you look like a goddess form yesteryear 

           This is An Ilkal saree with Kasuti designs embroidered on it

The most distinctive feature of  the Ilkal Sree is the use of a form of embroidery called Kasuti. The designs used in kasuti reflect traditional patterns like palanquins, elephants and lotuses. These sarees are usually nine yards in length and the pallu of the Ikal saree carries designs of temple towers. The end region of the pallu is made up of pattens of different shapes like hanige (comb), Koti Kammli (fort ramparts), toputenne (jowar) and rampa(mountain range).

The dark pink with a temple border is elevates the saree to  a occasion wear

The peacock blue with a bright orange border will look divine on any complexion

This is the traditional green with a lovely contrasting purple border one of my favorites 

I have absolutely loved the collection that Ajio has curated of their Ilkal Sarees and surely recommend the purchase for the price range they offer.

Ganesh Chaturthi and your Saree Style quotient !

The festival season has begun and knocking at our door will soon be Lord Ganesha who is known to remove all obstacles and evils. There are a lot of preparations in store for his arrival and usually the woman of the house gets busy getting everything done to perfection. Take into consideration the rain gods who are still visiting us,  dressing up for the occasion becomes quite difficult for her.

This series is about the various options for the lady of the house, so that this Ganpati festival she can welcome the God in style at the same time keeping it classic, simple and easy to handle. Not to mention while looking gorgeous.

Continuing with my Flower series I think it would be a great idea this year to don a flower print or embroidered  saree for the occasion, what would be more ideal than to offer prayers looking fresh and beautiful as a flower.

 @masabagupta has launched her flower motif collection and its festive and vibrant 

   Shilpa Shetty is wearing a masaba lotus print on chanderi Silk "The Dandelion " saree

@anitageethanjali is wearing a beautiful Organza with floral print . The saree can be easily transformed into an occasion wear with a brocade blouse and a heavy neck piece.

@hathkargha has launched the brand new jute silk jamdani pallu colection. I love the simplicity of the saree yet it exudes royalty. A pearl necklace with matching earrings and you are all set to impress.

Kajol in what seems like a satin wonder with blue flower motiff

@diariesofnomad in a Gandak Gold Tissue Chanderi Saree

Dont forget to style your hair with flowers. 

Please share your thoughts with me on : sarindstyle@gmail.com

Flower power is here ! the new trend in Saree's is floral !

The rains are bidding us adieu as they begin their journey back to their abode in the skies. Not to leave us disappointed with their sudden departure they leave behind a colorful legacy of pink,reds, yellow which sing to us of the beauty in this universe.

Flower

The skies have cleared and I can see a rainbow peeking from Infinity,
Red, pink and blue, it smeared happiness with it hues,
As I longed for it to come down from the skies my eye caught you hiding by
your yellow smiled at me and  a blush of red caught my eye anew
delicate as the morning dew ,
flower you are my rainbow I can admire you as god's gift too.

Flower power is the way to go as the Saree style becomes floral, bring out your satin, crepe,chiffon, linen and cotton printed with the colors of the rainbow in all shapes and sizes, lilies, roses marigolds go bold with the colors these flowers.

                    Madhuri Dixit in a Tarun Tahilani Flower Saree

                A refreshing Rimi Singh lemon yellow with green floral print

Cottons can be comfortable and chic at the same time. This lily print is quite unique from the @houseoftataamara

    This is a shaded pure silk organza with hand blocked pink floral print from @keyah_label

This aqua colored linen from @marmaladeskyme with pink floral's is so cute its a great brunch sareea string of pearls and you are as gorgeous as those flowers.

Rakshabandhan around the corner drape simple but with style

Rakshabandhan is around the corner. A day dedicated to the special bond that a brother and sister share. Relationships evolve and so does this relationship, from innocent chatter and jealous fights to matured conversations. From just you and me discussions to a wife, husband and kids equation.
Change main be constant for this relationship, what doesn't change is the emotion. That remains as is, the fierce love for each other which does not need to be proved on a daily basis, but when the need rises, stands tall to protect each other from any harm that may come the way.

With the rains still playing hide and seek women are very wary of getting their expensive weaves from the closet, hence my choices are those designs and fabrics which are easy on the pocket but at the same time give you a traditional look.


@vaishucollections linen saree with parrot motiff . I have featured the saree in different colors because each color completely changes the look of the saree

Linen saree with flower motiff 

@chidiyaaonline - Chanderi saree is simple yet gives a festive look 

This is a cotton chanderi saree the umbrella embroidery makes it uniquely traditional

Do share your Rakshabandhan looks at sarindstyle@gmail.com will feature the top five on the page 

  

Eid Celebration ! Looks of the Season

The love of god is something that is not measurable. In moments when you think that there is no road ahead you find a door open and you stand in front of a road that never was. Sometimes when we go through rough times we feel that god has abandoned us. More than often we hear that god tests us. 

I personally dont know if that is true, Love is always unconditional and it never puts its subject to test. 

In the universe which is ruled by cause and effect, we more than often face consequences of our actions. God's grace saves us from our selves' from our understanding and our interpretations.

Bakri eid celebrates the grace of god. It is believed that god asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his ten year old son Ishmael at a alter. Ibrahim  not to disobey god readily began his journey with his son and reached the appointed place. Just about as he was going to sacrifice his son in front of him appeared a lamb, God though his grace had spared his son.

The concept of sacrifice is getting lost in our humdrum of our twentieth century lives. We feel that sacrifice is a act for another, but what one does not understand that as we give we often get. This world is not governed only by the practical, materialistic equations that we understand but also by unseen equations of the cosmos, equations which are as complicated as the birth of this universe. 

Festivals like Bakri eid let us look into our soul and acknowledge the need to make right those equations which make life a celebration rather than just a existence.

Wishing all you lovely women a very happy Eid and may you shine with god's grace and love.

This year I am in favor of the subtle like the peace that one feels in your heart during prayer.

The style quotient for Eid is classic and eternal. This grey Kota Sari with a flower motiff is just ethereal.

I love the color aquamarine. It truly reflects the calmness of the sea. If you want to make the look pop a little a yellow blouse just lifts the color.

She is one designer who I love @marmaladeskyme has some lovely designs. This sea green sari with gold embroidered flowers is just divine.

 

The Kantha Sari is subtle yet always makes a statement. If it is a special occasion a silk sari with Kantha work gives you a rich look at the same time is quite subtle.

I am sure beginning to become a fan of the digital print Sari. The satin fabric falls beautifully around you. Team it with string of pearls and you are all set to attend a party. It is advisable that the print is not too crowded. I would recommend a light color.

@chidiyaaonline has some lovely designs and prints. If this Eid you are not in the mood to dress in silks and satin's a simple cotton or Mul sari with block print is simple but yet has a little oomph. This white with red is just perfect for a afternoon lunch.

Parsi New Year and The "Gara " Saree

It has been some time since I have blogged. As I reflect on the  reason why I suddenly felt defeatist about the whole endeavor I find myself unable to arrive  at a conclusion. It is very easy to blame external factors when we give up on our passion or our dreams.
Often as I face circumstances which I would like to blame solely on my gender, and the various expectations that are rested solely on the shoulders of women. I find myself stopping that thought in its tracks.
I would like to acknowledge myself as a person. An entity not wrapped in gender identity and the presumptions that come with it, Living in the twentieth century in a metro I believe that we have ample opportunity to get ourselves out of a rut or a square which we think has us tied down.
It often takes a lot of introspection, conditioning is not a easy bond to break. But then, unless you try nothing is possible.
The struggle to survive and circumspect the norms as defined by society is a long one and often fought in confines of your heart and mind. The fight to freedom is an ongoing one but fought nonetheless and surely will be won.

If you ask me why sarees, I would say that they are all that which seems right for us women. The sheer diversity, beauty, grace, strength, perseverance and flexibility of a saree is what represents a woman in the true sense.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17TH August is Parsi new year. Parsi's all throughout the country will pray for health , wealth and happiness at the same time asking for forgiveness for their sins. Parsi women will deck themselves in their finery. Bringing out their beautifully embroidered sarees. Called " Gara"

The embroidery depicts nature in a a woven form: From Peonies,Lilies, bamboo,Cherry Blossoms and other tress and flowers to beautiful birds, Pagodas and Human figurines. Each motif in this embroidery has a  central message . For example the Chrysanthemums are symbolic of spring and Joyousness.

It takes nearly nine months for an embroider to create a Gara Saree as it requires intricate embellishment on all sides. The Khaka stitch is a fine stitch that requires nimble needlework  and often leads to failing eyesight in the embroiderer, hence this stitch is also known as the forbidden stitch. 

The traditional Gara Saree is a dark hue of black, Red or Navy blue with intricate work using bright colorful Silk Threads.

The first and only Woman Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi can be also seen adorning a red Gara with cream embroidery.

The dark color's are a all time favorite but I love the light color's with sparse intricate embroidery.

The cream with read flower and Leaf motifs is elegant at the same time has a hint of casual

The modernization of an art form ensures its survival over time. This pink delicate Georgette with flower motifs is understated but impressive. Actress Sonam Kapoor is all smiles as she poses in the beauty.

If you are in the mood to go more casual then a simple light colored Saree with a Gara embroidery border will also do the trick. Actress Aishwarya Rai looks graceful in a white Saree with a Pink,Green and Cream flowers and Leaves embroidered on its border.

This white Organza beauty is simply ethereal. Thou the saree is not silk the soul of the Gara saree is intact in its beauty.

Interesting Facts and Comparisons

Parsi  embroidery actually owes its origins in China, as the Chinese are the ones who taught this art form to the Parsi women.

The traditional Gara Sree is a heirloom product and an asset whose value increases every year.

The word  “Gara “ means “saree”  in Gujarati.

A minimalist Gara Saree costs Rs 20,000 with the heavier ones costing Rs 80,000 and above.

A Memory is forever...let yours be beautiful of the icon Sridevi who is no more

I contemplated whether I should post a dedication to Sridevi. It was a contemplation because I did not want to be one of those people who would use a unfortunate incidence with a celebrity to get my two bits of mileage. Maybe I am more critical of what I post because I have been part of the news brigade There have been many times when I had to push for a certain interview for my channel despite knowing that in the rush to get the me first I was completely disregarding the basic human tendency of empathy.
Having a conscience can be quite detrimental in an era where we have become a species who seems to be more entertained with the pain and shame of people than the beauty of art. This is a sincere request to all those women who grew up admiring the beautiful Sridevi to please not give in to know the  morbid details of her death but to enjoy the fabulous work that she leaves behind her. To not tune in to a  news channel to know how she died but to tune in to  a channel which is currently paying homage to her through her movies.

If it is difficult to stay away from the knowing , then please dont judge the beauty, she was a human being like you and me . The difference being that she was an actor who had the power to make you forget for sometime all your worldly troubles and if only for a moment smile. That is why we should remember her just like that a beauty who could stop time even if it was just for those two hours in a movie theatre.

She was one of those icons who even in todays modern era kept the Sari relevant below are few styles that captured my heart.

 She looked like an angel in white which girl did not want to be Chandni

  Only a Star can drape a simple floral and yet stun you for a second

   The simple ice blue just makes your heart melt.
                                         

  The orange and red hue on the occasion of Karvachauth a look befitting to a queen

                                   
As she receives the Padmashree only the best will do...


Remember the today in a light that makes me smile,
A million shadows exist in the glitter I know,
I have fought hard to keep them away from you,
yet if they arise help me push them aside from my glow,
a memory is forever so will be mine,
a eternity held in your mind,
let it shine like the magic on the Big screen,
dont mar it with assumptions not fit for a queen.