Crafts Council of India to hold Ugadi Utsav in Chennai

CHENNAI: Ugadi is round the corner and while residents of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka are getting ready to usher in their New Year, the Crafts Council of India ( CCI ) is planning to make it even more special with their exhibition, Ugadi Utsav , of specially curated weaves from the three states. The event will be held from at Cooptex Hall, opposite Kamala Crafts Shop, Egmore here from March 21 to 23.

From Mangalgiris, Uppadas, and Pochampalli to Ikat, Kalamkari, Khadi and other fine handlooms, you will find it all here. “All of them, are completely handloom saris. We have curated the show with weaves from two brands – Timbaktu and Abhihaara – as well as weavers from the three states,” says Jayasri Samyukta Iyer, executive committee member, The Crafts Council of India, HQ.

Each sari on display is a tribute to the vibrant cotton and silk culture of the three states and to the artisans and weavers who have crafted and taken forward a textile culture which was part of the ancient silk route.

“The idea is to show how handloom saris can be worn to suit any occasion – whether it’s to the office or for a party or any other special occasion,” says Iyer.

So you have the smart, striped cotton bobbili saris woven in the tiny village of Narayanapuram near Bobbili. These weaves are very affordable, and the stripes and broad, multi-coloured bands running all over the body make it chic morning wear.

The Uppada or pride of Andhra collection, on the other hand, features woven wonders in silk and cotton. These are artwear saris bordered with delicate traces of jamdani flower and vine motifs and in colours running the gamut from pretty pastels to Royal purple and blue.