Vimor, in the comfort of a bungalow, has a fine collection of handloom sarees making it a treasure trove
This store is almost heritage. Vimor, at 40, is known not only for its delectable earthy, temple silk sarees but also its founders, the late Chimy Nanjappa aka the grand old lady of handloom, and her daughter Pavithra Muddaya . Started in 1974, Vimor began in the guest room of Nanjappa’s home in Victoria Layout, with Chimy selling sarees out of a trunk till the store got registered and the room became the Vimor store.
It remained in the room for 39 years. Only six months ago has the hall of their home been converted into the store. “Pure goodwill from our customers and weavers has kept us going,” says Muddaya. And of course, the sarees. Each one of them is worthy of being a showstopper.
Vimor first started out selling ancient temple sarees. Today, their collection represents the finest of woven South Indian sarees. Pure cotton, silk and pure zari sarees are available in a diverse price range from Rs 800 (cottons) to Rs 50,000 (silks).
The specialty of Vimor is its altruistic goal. Reviving vintage sarees give a great deal of joy (and even gratitude) to their customers. Grandma’s favourite saree can be replicated to almost perfection thanks to Vimor. Muddaya helps the weavers revive the designs by guiding them through substituting techniques and simplifying weaves. She has been working with conserving designs irrespective of areas of origin and has revived designs from old Benaras, Molkalmuru, Salem, Kanchivaram, Dharmavaram, Bagalkot, Raidurga, Kornad and innumerable small areas which can’t be classified based on current design knowledge. “Most of the revived designs are still in circulation,” Muddaya notes.
Vimor has its own range of designs as well. Muddaya’s son has recently designed a new range of lungis and sarongs which, according to her, is doing very well. But it is the word-of-mouth reviews which have got Vimor its sound reputation. From the three generations of the Gandhi family (“we were closely associated with Pupul Jayakar who often bought sarees for the Gandhis”) who favour traditional silks and cottons in earthy colours to Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das and Naseeruddin Shah; Vimor’s products are on the shelves of celebrities, top-ranking officials and others. “But most of the time we have no clue who they are and I guess this provides some level of comfort,” Mudayya says.
VIMOR
49, 3rd Cross, Victoria Layout
PHONE: 25551514
USP: Traditional handloom silk and cotton sarees
PRICE: From Rs 800 onwards
It remained in the room for 39 years. Only six months ago has the hall of their home been converted into the store. “Pure goodwill from our customers and weavers has kept us going,” says Muddaya. And of course, the sarees. Each one of them is worthy of being a showstopper.
Vimor first started out selling ancient temple sarees. Today, their collection represents the finest of woven South Indian sarees. Pure cotton, silk and pure zari sarees are available in a diverse price range from Rs 800 (cottons) to Rs 50,000 (silks).
The specialty of Vimor is its altruistic goal. Reviving vintage sarees give a great deal of joy (and even gratitude) to their customers. Grandma’s favourite saree can be replicated to almost perfection thanks to Vimor. Muddaya helps the weavers revive the designs by guiding them through substituting techniques and simplifying weaves. She has been working with conserving designs irrespective of areas of origin and has revived designs from old Benaras, Molkalmuru, Salem, Kanchivaram, Dharmavaram, Bagalkot, Raidurga, Kornad and innumerable small areas which can’t be classified based on current design knowledge. “Most of the revived designs are still in circulation,” Muddaya notes.
Vimor has its own range of designs as well. Muddaya’s son has recently designed a new range of lungis and sarongs which, according to her, is doing very well. But it is the word-of-mouth reviews which have got Vimor its sound reputation. From the three generations of the Gandhi family (“we were closely associated with Pupul Jayakar who often bought sarees for the Gandhis”) who favour traditional silks and cottons in earthy colours to Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das and Naseeruddin Shah; Vimor’s products are on the shelves of celebrities, top-ranking officials and others. “But most of the time we have no clue who they are and I guess this provides some level of comfort,” Mudayya says.
VIMOR
49, 3rd Cross, Victoria Layout
PHONE: 25551514
USP: Traditional handloom silk and cotton sarees
PRICE: From Rs 800 onwards
