|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 1 March 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Beauties stand tall for a worthy cause by Sivanandini Duraiswamy Swayambu was an unusual fashion extravaganza presented on February 13th by the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam.
The celebrated designers, Vidya Balakrishnana and Shoba Ravishankar of the House of Viba have been experimenting with the blend of designs and colours on the saree and shalwar. They have discovered a treasure house of designs creating a haute couture fashion of Oriental fantasies. As choreographers they presented some of these exquisite looking ensembles at the Swayambu extravaganza, bringing out the wonderful Indian textiles and the glorious heritage of the Indian weaver. A large crowd of distinguished personalities had come together to celebrate beauty and the traditions of jewellery, sarees and shalwars choreographed in an unusual way by the fascinating fusion of colours, fabrics, music and dance. As the spotlight first touched the slim models dressed exquisitely in off-white sarees with contrasting borders representing an aspect of woman, the embodiment of strength and courage, patience and love, charm and devotion, I realised that we were indeed privileged to be at the Holiday Inn.
Each model with flawless skin, classically chiselled face, some tall and others petite all of regal stature, walked tall and posed confidently making the event more memorable. They were indirectly telling the audience how one should wear success in keeping with the words, "more important than achieving success is now to wear it." As the ensembles were presented I realised that the saree has fascinated us for centuries evoking in us whispers of luxury. It is sensuous, romantic, exotic and pure and at the same time sacred and soft. Some of the ensembles presented portrayed the intricacies of spinning, dying and weaving which have come down from the flourishing people of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa while others presented rare glimpses of contemporary clothing as seen in the immortal frescoes of Ajanta and Sigiriya. Each drape of the saree was an expression in shades, lines or checks of pure harmony - a lyrical composition that won the hearts of the viewers. The choreographers have imagined them all for us in tangible forms. Viewing these ensembles was a wonderful experience reminding us of our rich and vibrant culture. A contemporary dance Samarpanam was the next in the sequence. This was a combination of yoga, yoga poses and martial art blended together with modern dance. Moving from one pose to another the dancers wove ever-changing patterns with delicate charm, keeping us spell bound. The next was "Black Beauty", a combination in styles ranged from trouser suits, to shalwars mixed into Western outfits - all in black. The shalwar is another popular dress in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The popularity and comfort of the dress have made the designers of the House of Viba to create a new look ensemble.
"Lead kindly Light, light up the lives of everyone round you; bring in the warmth and share what you have with the less fortunate," said the Compere, Srimati Kushboo. Carrying a lantern, each model stepped on to the ramp in glittering embroidered sarees in lovely shades of pinks, oranges and yellow with contrasting borders. The next was a fusion dance where the choreographers blended the nine emotions that one experiences in life - the navarasa - namely anger, love, laughter, compassion, strength, shantam to mention a few with the models displaying each expression by an outfit to suit the emotions in colour and design. The designer sarees and gharas were intricately woven and aptly chosen to convey the emotions. The models cast a spell of magic in the final sequence of bridal wear making each bride very special and the whole a sacred ceremony bringing to memory our special day of marriage. The Gujarati, South Indian, Brahmin, Christian and Kandyan brides walked the ramp accompanied by the Mangala Mantra ending the program on an auspicious note. Swayambu was the vision of the choreographers giving that extra sparkle and vitality to our traditional wear. The models moved gracefully holding the audience in rap enchantment with their splendour while Kushboo compered each sequence. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
Understanding the importance of education of the girl-child and the
increasingly important culture of supporting the elders of our community,
a bevy of beautiful ladies came forward to support the Kalagam through the
traditional drapes of the exotic saree and the shalwar.
Moving gracefully the damsels presented the theme of Sri Sakti
dedicated to all women present on that occasion. These models walked the
ramp portraying the saree as a graceful costume.
Varying from the ethnic touch to the cocktail look, the choreographers
have brought in the art of embroidery from other countries like Turkey and
Russia giving the attires in this sequence and Indo-Western touch.
