Shades of the season

CHENNAI: It's the season of music and shopping. Performers and rasikas start planning their wardrobe from September or October, and in December, visiting NRIs and music lovers throng sari and jewellery stores in search of the latest in diamonds and silks.Nalli's in T Nagar is bustling with people. "This is how it always is this time of the year," says Nalli Kuppusami Chetty. "After the Diwali rush, the sales for the Margazhi music season started. Artistes come regularly till mid November to buy saris for their performances. Some are particular about how they want their saris to be done and place orders, while others just buy it off the shelf."Effort is made to be original andlook different from the previous year. Some like flamboyance, others like tomake their own style statement."I don't like to experiment. I knowwhat I want and where to get it. I don't like going to many stores, so I go toone place and buy what I want," says vocalist Bombay Jayashri. SudhaRaghunathan says she's very conscious of how she looks on stage. "I prefer pattusaris, especially kanjeevarams with gold work. It looks radiant and lights upthe stage," she says, adding that she has not yet started shopping for thisseason. The singer also loves accessorising her saris with gold and diamondjewellery sets, and sometimes even rubies and emeralds. "I can never wearsilver," she says.Chetty, who has been in the business for more than50 years, says most artistes from stalwarts like MS Subbulakshmi to upcomingones are extremely aware of the season's trends and pay great attention to theway they look. "Back in 1951, when MS ordered a sari, she wanted a shade of bluethat no one had worn before. Our dyers experimented a little and created thecolour she wanted. Since then, orders have been pouring in for the MS Blue'," hesays. This year, the colours to be seen in are rich traditional colours likereds, oranges, and autumn shades.Artistes feel that it is thequality of the performance, the aura in the auditorium and the beauty of clothesand costumes that make for a harmonious concert experience."Aesthetics are important. I am very particular about my costumes,and my costume designer DS Aiyyelu takes care of them. But the costume shouldnot overshadow the performer and the performance," says dancer and choreographerAlarmel Valli. She adds that if she loves a performance, it is the dance ormusic that stays and she doesn't even remember what sari or jewellery theartiste was wearing. "Performance should transcend physical and superficialbeauty. A true rasika, is one who responds with her head and heart," she says.