Revelling in Benarasi drapes

LUDHIANA: Designer Meety Bagga's collection caught the fancy of city residents at a fashion show organized by Ludhiana Sanskriti Sangam at Guru Nanak Bhawan on Saturday night.
Understated opulence marked the event as Benarasi fabrics rustled on the ramp. A white lehnga embossed with beautiful craftsmanship charmed with its simplicity. This was offset by brightly coloured lehngas and achkans.
The men looked dignified in the semi-western look, replete with turban and shawl.They walked in step with ghazal songs rather than the usual pop music which characterize fashion shows.
Ushoshi Sengupta, Miss Universe, 2010 was the resplendent showstopper in a black sari. Praising the Benarasi fabric, Meety Bagga said, "Crop blouse with lehnga and duppata in Benarasi fabric rules the fashion scene. Kurtis, palazzos and any western dress can be made from this fabric. It is most suitable for wedding wear."
Ashima Mahindaru, a fashion designer from the city said, "Benarasi saris are often part of an Indian bride's trousseau. Depending on the intricacy of the design, making a sari can take 15 days to a month. Benarasi sari or lehnga has been the favourite outfit for women who wish to look classy in weddings. Now, these are not merely for weddings. Rather, every woman wants them, regardless of their social status or religion."
Suresh Sharma, general secretary, Ludhiana Sanskriti Sangam said, "We want to honor weavers who make Benarasi saris. They are among the finest in India and are known for their silver brocade or zari, fine silk and chanderi embroidery. The fabric is finely woven silk decorated with intricate designs. The engravings are relatively heavy."
Making the fabric is a cottage industry for lakhs of people associated directly or indirectly with the handloom silk industry around Varanasi, he said. However, Sharma expressed concern over the threat to Benarasi handloom industry from mechanised units producing Benarasi fabric faster and at a cheaper cost. Cheap alternative to silk also harms the industry, he said, adding that handloom saris are important for the economic development of rural India.
City residents Deepika Dogra, who is soon to be married, said, "I am getting my bridal Benarasi lehnga adorned with kundan, pearl, beads and sequins for my wedding next month. I shall also get jhallar work done on the odhini."
Box: Varieties of silks
There are many varieties of Benarasi fabric, including pure silk, organza with zari and silk, Georgette, tissue, vaskat, cutwork and shattir.