A fine blend

World famous Chanderi sarees in thousands of unique colours with zari works very well as a summer formal wear. Around 5000 varieties of Chanderi range are available at Mrignayanee exhibition at Lala Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15-B, Chandigarh from till February24, 2020. The Mrignayanee chain of Emporia is a unique marketing outlet to display and sell a wide range of products which comprise the poetry woven in Chanderi, Maheshwari and Tussar sarees, suits, dress material, ready-mades, home and office furnishings, handicrafts, jewellery and gift items. The skills of weavers, craftsmen and artisans reflect the glory of Madhya Pradesh through the products.

Customer will also get up to 20 per cent government rebate on all items. “Object of organising such exhibitions is not to earn any profits but to provide direct marketing and encouragement to the state artisans,” shares KS Mishra, officer in charge, Mrignayanee.

Window to the past

Weaving Chanderi can be traced to the advent of Ala-ud-din Khilji in the 1305AD when about 20,000 weavers from Lakhnoti in Bengal (now Dhaka) migrated to Chanderias. Till the nineteen forties, Chanderi sarees had a natural off-white body as pre-dyed yarn was not used. The fromance of the soft Chanderi colours lay in their constant reference to nature — fruits, flowers, leaves and birds. As near as till 100 years ago, the royal families were the chief patrons of Chanderi. Now they woo the discerning customer all over the country.

On at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15, till February 24. — TNS