Since time immemorial, Ram and Sita have been in everyone’s consciousness for their righteousness. As paragons of virtue, their names have been used as an example of the perfect couple. Their relationship has been depicted on murals and walls for centuries.
Cut to 2016 when the definition of icons has shifted to swashbuckling cricketers and larger-than-life actors. In a hark back to older times, designer duo Monica and Karishma of Jade have highlighted the union of the two mythological souls to make a fashion statement and perhaps set a trend of sorts.
The duo — known to showcase traditional Indian crafts and heritage in a distinct avatar — has lent a twist to the age-old motif. Their reinterpreted Ram and Sita sit pretty on modern lehengas, anakarkalis and gowns. These outfits, unveiled at the recently concluded Vogue Wedding Show in Delhi, are for the duo’s bridal collection, Videha’s Siya.
The sacred couple continue to be depicted in traditional Mithila paintings of Bihar, which are created with primitive forms like twigs and fingers. Despite enhancement in the paraphernalia of artists, it is these natural instruments which make this art distinct. According to Ambika Devi, a Mithila artist, these paintings are made in a unique way with natural products. “For yellow, we use turmeric. Black is obtained by mixing jaggery with gum and cowdung. It is thickened like atta (wheat flour) before putting all the ingredients into fire. We use leaves for getting green. Chukandar and red flower are ground to get red. These paintings are used on walls of homes and huts where newly-weds reside.”
And it is this unique character of Mithila paintings which have been reinterpreted and contextualised on the fabric. It is the iconic love story that propelled the designers.
“The love story of Ram and Sita is endearing and needs to be told to the present generation,” says Monica. “Through Mithila paintings, which exemplify wedding celebrations, we have highlighted the couple as symbols of our cultural heritage. We went to Bihar to do in-depth research on the paintings and replicate them on bridal outfits in a way that they get maximum attention.”
Corroborating the story, Ambika Devi says stories of Ram and Sita are narrated to every child growing up in the Mithila region. “As a child we heard stories of Ram and Sita’s marriage and our village is near Janakpur where Raja Janak lived.”
While making a fashion statement, the designers were conscious that the story of Ram and Sita, the blossoming of their love, culminating in marriage, had to be depicted in a subtle manner.
Distinct, versatile
“[Our] ensembles are comfortable yet distinct and versatile,” they say. “Fashion lovers can discern the crescent of the moon and how the magic of nature’s creations like lotuses and peacocks have been captured on outfits, with regal colours like Persian rose, Prussian blue, auburn. Floral motifs have been done on lehengas. Like these indigenous paintings, our bridal outfits too can be passed on from one generation to another.”
While the inspiration for the collection has been traditional, the creations are meant for the new-age bride who wants to experiment. “The independent, whimsical bride, who believes in doing things her way, is the one we are targeting,” Monica. “Someone with a fascination for vintage heirloom and heritage in bridal ensembles.”
So the trick was to depict these concepts using a modern vocabulary. So Jade features colourful and intricately embroidered jackets paired with lehengas. They can be a fashionable substitute for choli and dupatta, while indigenous dhoti pants can be teamed with vibrant capes or crop tops.
Unfortunately, the majestic appeal of Mithila paintings is confined to Bihar and neighbouring Nepal. So it becomes important to create a buzz in other markets for this type of art. “Traced to the Ramayana, Mithila paintings are not just another work of art but represent our ethos. Our collection has been crafted in heirloom fabrics to capture cultural values,” says Monica.
“Reverberation of poetry and a desire to be united with the divine are what these paintings stand for. For us, choosing this art was necessary in order to acquaint the people living in metros with the aesthetic beauty and ancientness of Mithila arts.”
Like the art, the designers hope their creations will be alive in the years to come.Read more at:sexy formal dresses
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