Nine Avtar's of Durga - Nine Colors - Nine Inspirations

India has been a treasure trove of culture and spiritual guidance, defining the very essence of feminism in the history of the world. Durga is the embodiment of that very philosophy a dynamic amalgamation of all that which makes the feminine a power that surpasses all. The strength of that divinity lies in the various colors that come together to form a single identity which is a combination of a myriad of identities possible only in that creation which we call woman.

My effort will be to do justice to those nine colors which represent  nine personalities wrapped in an existence of one.  An ode to the life of a woman you and me. 

The First Embodiment - Shailaputri

Shaila - Mountain - Putri - Daughter - She is the physical representation of mother nature, the very rock on which earth sustains itself without her this world would be nothing but dust. From the brown earth rises the flora that sustains us. Hence the color brown is synonymous with sustenance.

Brown color in a sari can be a tad boring but combine it with Kantha work and the sari transforms into a live dynamic creation which adds oodles of charm and grace to your persoanlity. 

Silk with Kantha Work 

Silk With Kantha Work

Silk With Kantha Work

Buy The above at : http://shop.gaatha.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=6925

Brown can also be a great color to wear in Kota tissue, Net and Banarsi ( but if you find a brown and silver combination )

Brown Net Sari with White patchwork

Deepika Padukone in a Manish Malhotra Beige Net Swarovski

Brown Banarsi Sari top with silver thread work

Brown Kota Tissue Sari 

Onam Fashion For Millenial's

I love to stand out of a crowd, the gen next is all about doing things differently this blog post is about taking culture and adding a twist with the latest styles and fabric's. The previous post ended with a white chiffon as a tad different option to the usual Onam sari statement.

The style featured today is a extension of the same thought. Choice of fabric is sheer, it captures your imagination in its various identities chiffon, georgette, voile, net, sheer crepe, it creates a aura around you immediately adds a touch of glamour to a personality.

A sari is never about just culture a must do handed down from generations. It is an extension of your personality.  Today is all about being Minimal, clean clear colors and comfort if this is your mantra then who else then Kareena Kapoor Khan to inspire you in styling yourself in a Sari this Onam which brings out the real you in a dress thats truly Indian. She can be seen below in creations by Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra

 Designed by Anand Kabra

 Designed by Manish Malhotra

Designed by Sabyasachi

 Designed by Manish Malhotra

Designed by Manish Malhotra

Allure of White and Gold

Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. It's one of the rarest festival which is celebrated by a complete state, irrespective of religion, caste and creed.Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers , celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala Loka. 

Intrinsic to this festival is a the traditional sari adorned by  women during this festival. The etherealness of white is furthered underlined by the inclusion of gold creating a look which surely brings a sense of purity to the one adorning it. 

Asin in a traditional Kasavu Sari

Traditionally the sari is cotton with a zari border but it is also available in silk. I love the design in both the fabrics. In cotton the sari has a more casual look and in silk it elevates to a more "for special occasions"

Rekha in a white and gold Silk

This is the first time that Rekha graces the pages of my blog, first but not the last her style and collection of sari's is the envy of any sari lover including me.

Thats me !

Another trend while wearing a white and gold sari is to team it with a contrasting blouse I am wearing Red, it could be any strong color...Green, Pink, orange..Dont forget to adorn your hair with a garland of jasmine.

Bun with Jasmine

White Chiffon 

If you want to do things a little differently a white chiffon sari with a golden border can never go wrong, to me its the ultimate definition of sexy.

Paithani

Paithani (Marathi: पैठणी) is a variety of sari, named after the Paithan town in Aurangabad Maharashtra state where they are woven by hand. Made from very fine silk, it is considered as one of the richest saris in India.

Paithani is characterised by borders of an oblique square design, and a pallu with a peacock design. Plain as well as spotted designs are available. Among other varieties, single colored and kaleidoscope-colored designs are also popular. The kaleidoscopic effect is achieved by using one color for weaving lengthwise and another for weaving widthwise.

Kirron Kher in a Gaurang Shah Paithani

Long ago, they were only worn by royalty and the aristocracy, and treated as heirlooms. Even today a genuine handwoven Paithani Saree is a labour of affection. The time to complete a paithani saree depends on the design and can range from two months to two years. Thus making the paithani one of the most expensive sarees you can own. The cost ranges from Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,00,000. The quality of gold and silver threads used increases the value making it truly the garment of royalty

Gaurang Shah Collection

I am usually not enamored by designers as I feel the cost is inflated and you end up paying more for the name rather than the fabric or weave. Gaurang Shah is a designer who seems to make me want to invest in one of his creations. Thou Sabyasachi and Neeta Lulla are more well known, what I love about him is his ability to keep the soul alive of the ethnic sari and yet his slight twist to the design elevates it to a completely different level.

Semi Paithani

buy at  :  https://www.facebook.com/Nakod-Paithani-Emporium-1753249638220239/

what I love about this saree is its color..onion pink which is a little difficult to find in this weave.

The paithani is a very design rich saree hence keep in mind your height while purchasing. If you are short like me I would suggest a Semi Paithani. The border is thin and the pallu shines though with design. You can show of the design elements and beautiful colors without drowning in design.

If you are tall then lucky you, I would surely recommend this saree in your collection.

Kalamkari

Kalamkari or qalamkari is a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile, produced in parts of India and Iran. Its name originates in thePersian قلمکار, which is derived from the words qalam (pen) and kari (craftmanship), meaning drawing with a pen.
There are two distinctive styles of kalamkari art in India - the Srikalahasti style and the Machilipatnamstyle. The Srikalahasti style of kalamkari, wherein the "kalam" or pen is used for free hand drawing of the subject and filling in the colors, is entirely hand worked. This style flowered around temples and their patronage and so had an almost religious identity - scrolls, temple hangings, chariot banners and the like, depicted deities and scenes taken from the Hindu epics - Ramayana, Mahabarata, Puranas and the mythological classics.Only natural dyes are used in kalamkari and it involves seventeen steps.

Raima Sen sports a Kalamkari Dupatta

Vidya Balan Drapes a Kalamkari Sari

Buy This at..Http://www.seconddskinn.com

note : The fabric is cotton..or a mix of cotton and silk make sure that its the purest form or ask if it is a mix of any other fabric or thread.

Sari....The eternal choice...

My love for the sari began as a affair some fifteen years ago....the feel of fabric and the elegant drape of the pallu enamored me and even today a beautiful sari holds me in its grasp not letting go...
This blog is my effort towards kindling that spark in the hearts of the generation X..This ethereal style of dressing is on its way to a slow extinction...As Indian women today seem to look at it as a symbol of the past...

I hope that women of today and tomorrow wake up to some beautiful images of style  as I share my favorite for the day and connect them to a choice which was is and always will be perfect for any and every occasion....