Architectural Kotas:
Kota Doria Sarees celebrating the Architecture of Rajasthan
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From the collection of Sunny Narang
In collaboration with Either Or, Pune
Text, images, and graphics: Red Earth
The alluring architecture of Rajasthan evolved in multi-directional ways through the centuries. Elements of classical Rajput architecture found their way into the Mughal architecture canon which later continued to inform subsequent Rajput buildings. Colonial period endeavours led to the profusion of yet more stylistic affinities, like Indo-Saracenic and Indo-Deco. Contemporary Rajasthani architecture, syncretic, borrows freely from these streams.
This capsule collection of Sarees, woven by Kota Doria wearers in their typical GI technique, at a weaving training programme under the Samarth scheme, at The Weaver’s Service Centre, Jaipur; features snippets from this rich history of architecture in Rajasthan from the 16th to the 21st centuries.
Each saree is a single-edition unique piece, with a woven signature mentioning the Weaver’s Group – an innovation of the Kota Doria cluster.
नवरात्रि नव-रँग
9 Nights, 9 Colours
Launching this Saree collection during Navratras, one is thinking of the magical significance of the nine nights, with nine colours and nine Devi forms associated with them.
You will find most of the Navratra colours here, so go ahead and celebrate the Devi - within, and without...
And then Kota met Jaipur...
Many of the sarees have running blouse pieces woven with them, matching the body of the Saree. However, to foreground the melange redolent in the Architecture, we created yet another melange - by offering contrasting Sanganeri block print blouses with each Saree. Also, find some Zari Chanderi and Ikat blouse accents!