Wadiyar unveils Spring/Summer collection

Bangalore, Mar 7 (UNI) The last scion of the Mysore Wadiyar dynasty Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar presented the spring/summer royal collection of silks and sarees at the Palace here last night, along with his wife Pramoda Devi Wadiyar.

Speaking to newspersons on the occasion, Mr Wadiyar said he would be opening boutiques in Mumbai and New Delhi shortly. His passion for fashion designing had enhanced over the years, he said, adding that the spring/summer collection was primarily based on the design of Babri embroidered on silk georgette and silk chiffon.

Babri stripe was popularised in the South by Tipu Sultan, who used it extensively on standards and ensembles in his court. It was an old Indo-Sarcenic design, which was quite popular among the Persians as one could find it in Persian carpets.

''It is also very significant for the Indo-Aryan symbols of Hindus in the form of tiger stripes'' Mr Wadiyar said, adding that Babri denoted the tiger, the 'vahana' of Goddess Durga.

The colours used in the creations drew inspiration from tantric and puranic texts.

Besides sarees and Zardosi and Kundan bridal wear, the collection offered under the Royal House of Mysore label included ghagras, lehengas and blouses.

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