14082024-LSTL-01.qxd 8/13/2024 8:39 PM Page 1 c m y b ANGRY YOUNG MAN? Popular lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on Tuesday marked his presence at the trailer launch of the anticipated docuseries Angry Young Men in Mumbai. Prime Video will soon stream Angry Young Men, which explores the legacy of writer duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. TRIBUNE A tribute Life Rani Mukerji launched a commemorative stamp in honour of the legendary filmmaker late Yash Chopra at the Australian Parliament House ahead of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 14 AUGUST 2024 Six-yard sensation or stitched stunner? As the debate around the traditional vs improvised sarees goes on, we talk to designers to know their take... Of & pallus Designs by Abhisehk Sharma and Jayanti Reddy pleats Modern twists Mona I N the world of fast-changing fashion, saree has been one constant presence. Elegant, timeless, soulful and sustainable — it checks all the right boxes! Lately, the sixyard attire has garnered much attention. Earlier this year, Miss World Australia 2022 Kristen Wright won hearts in an Archana Kochhar saree. Graciously she walked the ramp for Miss World 2024 finale in Mumbai. Lately, shuttler Jwala Gutta took on designer Tarun Tahiliani for India’s Olympic Paris attire (saree for women) calling sarees uncomfortable and odd. While as timeless that this piece is, wearing it is certainly not every woman’s cup of tea. To keep pace with current times, the good-old sarees have had a makeover and how! The puritans Those who can’t wrap their heads or hands around pleats and pallus have embraced the trend of pre-draped sarees. Saree stores in various cities, including Chandigarh, are rather happy to do that for a fee. The saree puritan abhor it though. “Please don’t call a pre-draped saree a saree. At best it’s a dress,” says Mandeep Nagi, director, Shades of India. “Saree is the clear straight yardage that is worn in myriad ways. And, so versatile, be it casual wear or dressy, that it rocks,” she adds. Nagi’s designs express her love for the opposites – fine traditional artisanship interpreted with a minimalist western sensibility — masculine and feminine — a surprising contrast of colours such as mixing orange with blue or red with grey. For Sarika Kakrania, founder, Pink City by Sarika, sarees remain rooted in tradition. “Pink City deeply celebrates the timeless magic of the traditional saree. Our classic sarees with their intricate weaves and enduring elegance carry a profound cultural heritage that modern reinterpretations often overlook.” Her idea is to honour centuries of craftsmanship, preserving a unique connection to our past in her creations. One significant factor about sarees is that it is sustainable. No buttons, zips to be discarded after use, one piece that stays for decades, worn by different generations and one that can be repeated with a different blouse, worn in a different style, and accessorised according to the occasion. Not all, however, stick to the puritan idea. Sarees today have turned almost unrecognisable in their modern avatars. There are both takers and makers for it. “With the driving force to create something new and the knowledge of how to modernise colours, crafts, weaves and art that have travelled through centuries and yet have the same freshness intact,” offers designer Abhishek Sharma, creative head, Abhishek Sharma Studio. “We render the sleek urban screen for this luxurious masquerade of traditions breathing through various intrinsic tribes of India into our collections and the same philosophy is interpreted in the sarees we create with a modern touch,” he adds. He sees demand for it and he is there to fulfil it. “The younger generation is inclined towards pre-draped sarees as there a major shift in lifestyle and activities. Some prefer the traditional way of draping a saree and some prefer per-draped ones. Again, it’s an individual’s choice,” he says. His brand offers a variety of pre-draped styles. Some are fully pre-draped, some are semi- draped and some have more flair than regular. “While our core remains rooted in tradition, we occasionally blend contemporary styling and innovative drapes to suit today’s woman,” says Sharma, who grew up seeing his mom wearing sarees every single day. In his designs he uses a massive variety in style and material. “Sarees are always a hot favourite and I don’t feel even the red carpet is complete without one saree look. Be it a national or international event. It’s been cherished for centuries and will also be a part of everyone’s wardrobe,” offers Sharma. And, we know it’s going to be stay the same for times to come… ❝ Please don’t call a pre-draped saree a saree, at best it’s a dress. A saree is the clear straight yardage that can be worn in myriad ways. And so versatile that from daily wear to dress up, it rocks. ❞ — MANDEEP NAGI, DIRECTOR, SHADES OF INDIA. Nandita Puri and Nisha Luthra ❝A fusion of classic and modern ensures that each piece is both a tribute to heritage and a reflection of current trends, celebrating tradition with a fresh, relevant twist.”❞ — SARIKA KAKRANIA, FOUNDER, PINK CITY BY SARIKA. Hindi poetry book Uns, written by citybased Nisha Luthra, who is a poet, theatre and film director and also founderdirector of The Narrators Performing Arts Society, was unveiled in multiple languages at the Government Museum and Art Gallery’s Auditorium, Sector 10, Chandigarh. The launch commenced on a musical note with a sitar recital by Nishant and who was accompanied on tabla by Dinesh Kumar, which added a captivating musical dimension to the occasion. The launch was organised by The Narrators Performing Arts Society in collaboration with The Om Puri Foundation, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Academy, Punjabi Lekhak Sabha, Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Academy (Urdu Cell), The Wise Owl and Abhishek Publications. Originally launched in 2022, Uns has now been translated in Punjabi, Urdu, Assamese, English and French. Sharing her thoughts, Nandita Puri, founder, Om Puri Foundation, who is a screenplay writer and has authored many books, said, “I am honoured to unveil these translations of Nisha’s Hindi poetry book Uns in five different languages. The reach of the book will increase manifold. The c m y b ❝Saree has always been such a versatile piece of textile. It is just about styling it and draping it in a way that resonates with the modern day consumer and offers an individual take to classic saree. ❞ – ABHISHEK SHARMA, CREATIVE HEAD, ABHISHEK SHARMA STUDIO Shades of emotion Nisha Luthra’s poetry book Uns, which has been translated in multiple languages, highlights the rich tapestry of linguistic and poetic diversity in India occasion was also a celebration of the rich tapestry of linguistic and poetic diversity that India boasts of.” Nisha Luthra said, “Poetry has always been a subtle way to heal. Uns is a silhouette of mellowed rhythms consisting of my emotions. Uns was launched in March, 2022. After which I got a chance to meet the late Surjit Patar, the legendary Punjabi poet and writer. He was the force that motivated me to get Uns’ Punjabi translation rolling. As luck would have it I kept on meeting and working with people who chartered the emotions and longings in their intimate tones. All the translators rendered my poems a sensitive transcendence. It took us two years to complete five translations of the books.” During the unveiling ceremony a tribute was also paid to legendary Surjit Patar, who wrote the foreword for the Punjabi translation of Uns and was a steadfast supporter of Nisha Luthra’s poetry. In a heartfelt tribute, Luthra recalled Patar’s inspiring words, “A Punjaban should also write in Punjabi.” Nisha added,”Patar ji’ s encouragement was a guiding light in my poetic journey.” The team of translators Charanjit Singh (Punjabi), Anwar Anjum (Urdu), Ranjit Dutta (Assamese), Sonia Chauhan (English) and Roopam Singh (French) was also present. The audience enjoyed a selection of poems from all translations alongside readings from the original Hindi text. — Preeti Thakur