Saris at Chaasmi
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
If you are keen to know about the art, craft, culture and cuisine of erstwhile Indian royal families, this event brings a range of products crafted within palace studios. The Artisanal Tale, an event by design platform Royal Fables in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry Ladies Organization (FICCI-FLO) Chennai, brings together 12 royals who will present everything from automotive art, bespoke textiles, jewellery and heritage weaves.
Vidita Singh’s painting of a Delahaye at a polo match
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Vidita Singh of Barwani will be in Chennai after 18 years to showcase her automotive art, featuring brands such as Mercedes-Benz300, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar. “I have an inherited passion for cars. From my great grandfather’s time, till today, our family has pioneered the automobile industry,” says Vidita, who held her first solo exhibition in 2003. At the event, the artist will bring paintings of a Delahaye model in a polo field and a Chevrolet Bel Air, among others. “These paintings tell stories from the car’s perspective; what it would see if it were alive. I also give my work a feminine touch and play with florals. For this range, I have veered towards making the angles of the cars prominent, such as headlights, tail lights.” Other artworks on display include vintage Pahari miniatures from Kangra, and looms from Varanasi by textile platform Aabharnam Foundation.
A sari by Jaykirti Singh
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
A large part of the line-up comprises Indian festive wear in organic cotton by Rosetree, an artisanal studio helmed by the women from the Seohara family in Rajasthan; cotton farshis by Ritu Sinh of Wankaner; Chanderi weaves by fashion label Chaar Chand ; mulberry silk apparel by Hyderabad-based studio Thiraai; and weaves by Chennai’s Sujata Pai, to name a few.
Jaykirti Singh of Baria, Gujarat, known for her chiffon drapes and handblock printed cottons, will be bringing saris, and lehengas. “The collection features embroidered block prints, which is something I’ve not done before. I will also bring chiffon weaves in leheriya, tie-and-dye prints,” says Jaykirti, who will also bring hand-painted linen shirts, saris, and a few winter capes.
A sari designed by Nandiniy Singh
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Nandiniy Singh, who hails from a taluqdar family of Awadh and is the founder of label Chaasmi, will showcase hand-embroidered saris in chiffon and organza with vintage borders. “I will also bring a few lehengas,” she says, “I specialise in aari and zardozi in resham and zari, alongside hand painting. My saris are primarily in pastels such as pink, yellow, sea blue, and violet, and feature subtle embroidery,” says Nandiniy, whose love for paintings reflects in the embroidery done by her core team of seven artisans.
A potli at Foutri Bags
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Rashmi Singh, the brain behind Foutri Bags — a women-run social enterprise, which is the project of Chandelao Vikas Sansthan (Jodhpur) — is excited to bring her range of embroidered potli bags. “We never repeat our designs, especially the embroidered ones, to ensure they are exclusive for our buyers,” she says. Her new range comprises potlis in raw silk and charmeuse satin with beadwork. “I will also be showcasing our new boho collection that features potlis in patchwork. Old fabrics and tribal apparel were used to create patchwork textiles that were then turned into bags. This was a time consuming range as the fabric is difficult to work on,” adds Rashmi.
Saris are priced upwards of ₹12,500. The event is on February 26, at Taj Coromandel, Chennai. From 11am to 7pm. Entry is free.
Published – February 21, 2025 06:59 pm IST
