A unique festive ode to the laal paar shada sari

They are the hands shaping beauty, the eyes defining style. This Pujo, CT spotlights top MUAs and stylists reimagining the laal-paar-shada-sari – stepping into the frame themselves, breaking conventions and celebrating individuality, with confidence and grace. From behind the scenes to center stage: Five stylists turn muses to create their version of the OG Bengali festive look‘Divine energy is in us all’Every year, Durga’s arrival feels like a new beginning — a reminder that her homecoming is about resilience, courage & acceptance. Wearing the laal-shada-sari is my way of embodying that spirit, affirming that the energy that the goddess embodies lives in us all — men, women, and the ones who don’t conform to those gender roles. This is the energy I carry into Pujo.– Anupam Chatterjee, designer and stylist‘Traditions can adapt, all we need is love’Wearing this laal-shada sari today showed us that tradition can adapt, evolve, and embrace everyone. We are usually behind the scenes, but becoming the muses ourselves gave us a chance to be celebrated for who we are.– Aamrapali, hairstylist‘Blessings aren’t bound by labels’When Durga comes home, it feels like we’re all children again, waiting to be embraced. For someone like me, who has always lived between spaces, her homecoming is a reassurance that there’s room for me too. Her blessings are not bound by labels or identities, so to be draped in a sari was deeply emotional.– Meghna Balmiki, makeup artist‘It’s time we tell our stories, our way’I have grown up seeing my mother wear the laal-paar-shada-sari. Wearing this in a gender-fluid way felt like rewriting tradition without erasing it. For me, that balance of heritage and individuality is true beauty.– Kiara Sen, stylist‘Durga’s love is for everyone’Maa’s homecoming is about love, and love is fluid. She doesn’t come back for only one kind of child — she comes for all of us, nomatter how we choose to live, love, or express ourselves. That inclusivity is what makes her presence so powerful.– Indroneel Mukherjee, pageant coach and fashion designerTradition but make it gender-fluid glamStyle the sari with layered gold chains, or statement bangles. Pair with a silk embroidered kurta or embellished blouse to create a look that feels opulent yet fluidAdd pearls in necklaces, bracelets, or belts. They lend softness and grace while working beautifully across gendersSophisticated buns, braided crowns, or neatly gelled-back looks can be elevated with gajra or metallic clips, blending ethnic elegance with a modern twist