Sanjukta to showcase traditional mekhela chador

The traditional Mekhela Chador of Assam will be the high point of designer Sanjukta Dutta's collection at the ongoing LFW. Dutta, who has been experimenting with prints and draping patterns, will showcase the gorgeous sarong-half saree in an effort to make it relevant and attractive to the current generation. Her show is slated for August 28.

"When I started designing, I found that the mekhela chadors had become a bit repetitive in their designs. They had the same 8" borders with small motifs in the field.

So I decided to bring in new design sensibilities, while preserving the traditional designs from the region. I have kept several motifs that are seen on traditional textiles of the northeast intact as they are traditional, beautiful and hold symbolic meaning," said Dutta, who runs Sanjukta Studios.

"Further, over the past few decades, the outside world has come to know Assam as an area of strife, a direct reflection of which is seen through our tourism numbers and national media coverage. This has been another point that has pained me immensely because the Assam I know and we all know is not like that.

Thus, I decided to showcase the real Assam of true natural beauty, tranquillity, communal harmony and rich culture through my collection," she said.