Actor Vidya Balan launched Arshia Ladak’s book posthumously honouring her documentation of untold saree stories at a cultural event in Mumbai. At the event, the Inner Courtyard presented ‘A Wardrobe Full Of Stories’ by Arshia Ladak, as well as Suta – The Thread by Art Vision and Padmashree Ileana Citaristi and Mapped! – A collection of the Asiatic Society’s restored maps.
We have all grown up seeing our mothers in stunning sarees, whether on regular days or special occasions. A saree is something that brings a sense of aesthetics when worn by a woman. The word “sari” in Sanskrit means “strip of cloth”. However, these swaths of fabric are more than just garments for the Indian women who have wrapped themselves in silk, cotton, or linen for millennia. They are symbols of national pride, ambassadors for traditional (and cutting-edge) design and craftsmanship, and prime examples of the rich diversity of India’s 29 states.
Vidya Balan, known for her love of sarees, has emerged as the country’s ambassador for handlooms and local artisans. Vidya, who has made sarees her style statement, has repeatedly advocated for the upliftment of weavers from all over the country, making her the ideal representative of traditional wear to launch the book.
UNTOLD STORIES OF CULTURAL LEGACY OF INDIA’S MOST ENDURING ICON — SAREE
‘A Wardrobe Full of Stories’ is a collection of treasured, never-before-told saree stories. Arshia Ladak conducted 34 interviews with public figures such as Vidya Balan, Swati Piramal, Shobhaa Dé, and Cherie Blair, as well as saree designers and revivalists such as Pavithra Muddaya of Vimor.
The book was inspired by the author’s battle with cancer and her desire to share her priceless collection of vintage and heritage sarees with the world. The author weaves together the historic, mythic, and cultural legacy of India’s most enduring icon, the saree, by gathering and retelling the stories of journalists, dancers, actors, philanthropists, lawyers, doctors, singers, designers, revivalists, artists, corporate mavens, and entrepreneurs—women from diverse walks of life, all saree lovers.
The book is a collector’s item, richly designed with original art and stunning iconography, and will hopefully culminate in India’s first Museum of Sarees.
According to a press release shared, Vidya Balan while speaking at the event said: “I am greatly honoured to unveil the precious collection of Arshia Ladak in the form of her book ‘A Wardrobe Full Of Stories’. I have always been an admirer of sarees and especially in awe of the handloom weavers and local artisans so when Arshia approached me for my thoughts on sarees I instantly was on board. I feel, launching this book and presenting to the world the brilliant work of Arshia Ladak is my tribute to her passion, hard work, and memories”.