Exhibiting the richness of silk

The saree, six yards of uncut fabric, has been mesmerising folks from across the world with its grace and elegance, even to this day. The attire has become synonymous with the earthy and rustic Indian beauty has it personifies her charm. It has come a long way and has seen many changes during its journey.From the stiff cottons doused in starch to the light and flowy chiffons, from the heavy silk to the sensuous nets. Sarees have even caught the fancy of many a Westerners. Women today are spoilt for choice when it comes to the various type materials that the sarees is available in.However, if there is one fabric that has stood the test of time, it is the silk. Be it weddings or any other auspicious occasions, nothing can replace the sheen and the drape of the silk saree.Testifying the fabric’s popularity, the Silk Mark Expo organised a fashion recently in the city as a curtain raiser for the exhibition cum sale of silk sarees.The expo will be held in Palace Grounds from December 14 to 19.Apart from the display of the luxurious and beautiful fabric, the organisers also guarantee the authenticity and purity of the material. The purpose of the exhibition is to bring wide varieties of silk from different parts of the countries to one place.The assistant director of Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI), T Shivakumar said, “Silk is as expensive as gold. Many people across the country complain about the adulteration in the silk clothes produced. Many are deprived of pure silk sarees. This expo provides a platform for all those who wants to measure the purity of the silk. The production process of the silk is also exhibited in this expo.”Kachivaram, Murshidabad, Kashmiri Silk, Varanasi Silk are some of the variants of the evergreen fabric showcased in this exhibition. Barring the existing range, four special varieties of the silk materials are added in the expo this year explained Shivakumar.One hundred and seventy stalls are put up this year as against 97 stalls in the previous year for the benefit of the visitors.He added, “Mulbari, Eri, Tussar and Muga are added apart from those silk materials which are displayed every year. Around 35,000 visitors and four to five crores of business transaction are also expected this year.”Meanwhile the highlight of the fashion show were Kannada film stars Shweta Pandit, Rashmi, Roopashree, Radhika Gandhi, Nandita and Tejaswini who also sizzled the ramp.They adorned sarees with bright hues and textures. Sharing her views on the show and the saree, Nandita, model and actress said, “These are unique designs which are usually not found in any other exhibitions. For instance, there are different textures of green contrasting each other in the same saree. This exhibition also gives a platform for all silk producers across the country to display the uncommon silk material of that particular region.”On this occasion, Roopashree who walked the ramp said, “Though I am considered as one of the glamorous actors in Kannada film industry, I have huge collection and craze for Kanchivaram sarees. Silk sarees gives one a complete ethnic look. It makes a woman look elegant on any occasion.”