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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Want to give a new look to the traditional Kerala saree this Onam? How about Kathakali faces or mural paintings on the ‘pallu’ of your traditional saree? Sujatha Vinod Shanker and Jessy Skaria, two friends, have let their imagination free and used fabric painting to come out with new designs in the traditional ‘set and mundu’ pair, displayed at the YMCA Hall here. It was almost a year back, when Sujatha shifted to Thiruvananthapuram from Kochi, that she and Jessy decided to give the idea a try. ‘’We both are not trained in fabric painting or mural painting. But we both love to create designs and draw,’’ says Sujatha. They started a firm, Sreesankari Sarees, in Karakulam and now the duo are exporting their fabric-painted sarees to UK and other countries. ‘’Malayalis cannot do without the traditional Kerala saree. But they would like some play of colours or designs in the saree instead of wearing the same drab thing year after year. So, there is a huge response to our patterns,’’ Jessy says. The patterns that Sujatha and Jessy draw on the sarees are not very complex, nor are they heavy. They are often simple flower patterns on the sides ending in a single thematic work at the ‘pallu’. It could be Sreekrishna paintings, Kathakali faces, mural paintings, North Indian ‘Warli’ paintings and anything that catches their fancy. Sujatha is a bit obsessed with the Krishna paintings, though. Usually, they do the work on traditional sarees, but on request, they would do it on any dress. ‘’You can pick up a set-mundu pair or a Kerala saree from the collection here and choose your theme or painting from the ones hanging here. We could draw it for you,’’ says Sujatha. She takes less than two hours to finish the design work, only the ‘pallu’ work takes more time. A demonstration of the painting has also been arranged at the exhibition hall. ‘’We do not feel like running any business. It is not at all profit-oriented. We love to do fabric painting and it is a treat to see others flaunting our works on their sarees,’’ Jessy beams. Jessy’s husband is an artist, the extra reason why she finds her passion leading her to success. Recently, Jessy and Sujatha gifted actor Mohanlal with a designer shirt. ‘’He loved it,’’ Sujatha says. If you want to own a matching pair of men’s shirt and saree that carries the same design and pattern for a couple, the duo would do it at a reasonable price. At the exhibition, the sarees with mural works are available from ` 650 onwards. That too in all colours and various ‘kasavu’ patterns. The exhibition will conclude on September 8.
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