A Calcutta connection in Pune?

WHAT's ON checked out Kali Weaver's Studio, which sells traditional Bengali sarees, and found itself wandering in the City of Joy

Salwar suit worth Rs 4,500

STITCH IN TIME

WHAT's ON checked out Kali Weaver's Studio, which sells traditional Bengali sarees, and found itself wandering in the City of Joy

Ensconced in the impressive Sacred World complex, you can spot the signboard from the road. But when you make our way into the building and up the escalator, it's a hit or miss situation, as the Kali Weaver's Studio is tucked away at the end of the corridor.

Range: What you get here is an exclusive collection of stitched kurtis, salwar kameezes, tunics and unstitched material in cotton, chiffon, georgette and crepe. The dress material is completely handwoven and is supplied by some weavers in Bengal.

Owner Sonal Athwani, who hails from Kolkata, said, "We have a workshop in Kolkata where threadwork like embroidery and mirror work is done. We make frequent trips to Kolkata and bring them to the city. The cottons sell fast and designer wear is picked up by those getting married."u00a0

Ambience: The painting of Kali adorning the wall immediately establishes the Kolkata connection. The shop is within the confines of one room, where you can see some of the outfits displayed on mannequins. The designer
collection is hung neatly on one side of the room and the unstitched pieces are stacked in neat shelves.

We liked: The Kantha work (a type of embroidery craft popular in West Bengal), which is predominantly present here. The Kantha suit piece (Rs 2,450) in orange, black and red and the kantha dupatta in green khadi silk (Rs 1,500) are literally pieces of art. The pink tunic (Rs 1,850) on the mannequin and the stitched pink and green suit (Rs 5,000) were also eye-catching. We loved a kurta made with kalamkari print embellished with gold work and coordinated with dupatta and churidar (Rs 2,200).

At: F 23, first level, South Block, Sacred World, Wanowrie.
Call: 32342424 / 9960875000

Prices
Stitched Designer wear startsfrom Rs 3,000 onwards
kurta pieces from Rs 500
Sarees starts from Rs 3,000 onwards, and are only made to order