Suneet's musical rendition of Kamasutra

Designer Suneet Varma’s collection surpassed all boundaries of creative imagination and exemplary experimentation. Conceptualising and replicating facets of the most celebrated Hindu texts in the world i.e. Kamasutra in fashion can be a superlative challenge.
Suneet’s undying love for theatrics made its presence felt in visibility on the ramp too. As the red curtains unfurled, a short dance amidst layers of smoke in the backdrop invested a new dimension to the grandeur of couture.
Kamasutra was enlivened in the classical rendition of the dance form with a pure quality of aestheticism. The roof of the runway was dressed with a series of life-size bells that hinted a mythological and spiritual realisation every time our eyes met them.
Collection and design: The temple-like structures on either side of the runway plank resembled palanquins from where the models descended with veiled dupattas and dropped eyelids. This gave an impression of newly brides adorned with shyness and innocent smiles. Traditional Zardozi Koti shrugs paired with sheer skirts and saris added an elegance and charm to the bridal outfits. Choli cut waistcoats, long sleeved blouses with sharp cuts, ethnic kamarbandhs with threadwork added extravagance to the overall glamour of the brides.
Long drapes of kurtas and saris embellished with kundan work embroidery, layers of crushed silk flow with crystal beading and narrow trousers stood testimony to Suneet's devotion to intricacy and meticulous craftsmanship. His designing sensibility and sartorial research came into full view when models Tinu Verghese, Pia Trivedi and Bruna Abdullah walked in, bathed in accents of nude, lightweight gorgette contrasting in ethereal veils and saris. The collection culminated with plum shararas worn with sexy cholis and pajeb churidars reflecting seduction in bare ankles.
Colours and textures: The sensual chiffon stoles and delicate shrugs were brushed with deep red and orange colours and fuschias painting the emotions and desires of a bride in the long and flowing skirts; complemented with contrasting embellished metallic bras. Blues, blacks and lots of gray featured in the designs that accentuated with mirror work and intricate ribbon rosettes on the saris, anarkalis and lehengas creating the allure of dusk. The baby pink shararas along with yellow anarkalis added a young flair to the ensemble.
On being asked how easy or difficult was it to carve Kamasutra in fabric, Suneet Varma said, "It was a difficult rendition. My area of focus was not the sexual positions that otherwise form the dominant understanding of Kamasutra. I believe that it is the passion and the emotion of feeling sexy from within that I have tried to replicate in my designs. The sensual dance in the beginning was initially conceptualised with rain pouring in the background but the idea was put to rest at the time of execution."
Ambience: The musical atmosphere orchestrated with Farida Khanum's Aaj jane ki Zid na Karo added with other mellifluous songs like Piya Bawri ornamented the entire collection with fantastical harmony. Suneet Varma's exquisite collection attempted reinstating faith and belief in love and romance in absolute ethnic vibrancy.
Contrary to Manav Ganwani's show that witnessed a host of celebrities from the world of Bollywood and elite social circles, Suneet Varma's was sans any big names.
This tryst with bridal couture created a fairytale qualifying for a sensory experience to be remembered for time to come.
Rating: 8.5/10