My earliest and fondest memories are filled with vivid images of my mother, especially one where she is draped in an exquisite red Kantha silk saree. This wasn't just any saree; it was a masterpiece of handloom artistry, its intricate embroidery weaving a story in every thread. The saree was a heartfelt gift from her sister-in-law, a nod to my mother's deep love for handcrafted elegance. She had handpicked it from the artisans of Shantiniketan, a town synonymous with artistic heritage and rich cultural tapestry.
As a child, I was captivated by the saree's beauty and the promise that someday it would be mine. My mother, in my eyes was a hero, an epitome of grace and creativity. Despite her lack of formal education, she was a self-taught wonder, a reservoir of knowledge and skill. She taught herself, and then us as kids, to read and write in English, Hindi, and Kannada. Her passion extended beyond sewing, a skill she honed purely from the pages of magazines, her own imagination, and the world around her for inspiration. Those were the days when television and internet were not part of our lives. She saw potential in every piece of fabric, every outdated outfit. To me, she was a fashion icon, a visionary who could see beauty where others saw the end of usefulness.
Her talent in transforming the old into new was nothing short of magical. I vividly recall her sitting by the window, the sewing machine humming under her skilled hands as she turned my father's worn-out shirts into lovely frocks, adorned with frills and lace, for my sister and me. My brother's outgrown bell-bottoms were reincarnated into stylish A-line skirts, complete with intricate stitches and playful buttons, each telling a story of sustainable creativity. Even her soft mul-mul sarees found new life in the form of kurtis, embellished with hand smocking and pleats, each stitch a testament to her ingenious resourcefulness. Her creativity was endless, and it taught me the value of sustainable fashion long before it was a trend.
In our modest household, the concept of throw-away fashion was alien. We didn’t have the luxury of endless budgets for new outfits. My mother's creations were our fashion statements, each garment a celebration of her inventive spirit and a lesson in sustainability.
The legacy of her style continued with my sister in the mid-80s. As she stepped into the banking sector, she brought with her the elegance of sarees, wearing them with pride and sophistication. In those times, the saree was a symbol of professional grace, commonly adorned by women in the workforce. It stood for a blend of cultural heritage and modern professionalism.
However, as I entered the corporate world in the mid-90s, I witnessed the gradual shift in workplace fashion. Sarees gave way to suits, and soon, Western wear became the norm. The saree, with its rich history and versatility, seemed to slowly fade from the professional landscape. But in my heart, the saree remained an unparalleled garment, a symbol of adaptability, elegance, and inclusivity, flattering every body type and enhancing every complexion; a garment that one cannot go wrong with for any occasion. The saree, a garment so rich in history and versatility, was being overshadowed. This change in fashion trends mirrored a larger shift happening across India. This evoked in me a sense of nostalgia, a gentle yearning for the disappearing art that had so deeply colored my life.
Driven by this desire, Indiva (https://indiva.in) was born. My dream for my daughters and the younger generation to not only wear sarees but to cherish their value - as beautiful attire and as a support to India's artisans and rural economy. Indiva isn't just a brand; it's a tribute to this timeless elegance of Silk, Cotton, SICO sarees, and the rich legacy of Indian handlooms and handicrafts. Our collection includes hand embroidered, hand painted, and block printed sarees. Every saree in our repertoire is a canvas of stories - stories of the states they come from, the artisans who weave them, skilled craftsmen, and women whose livelihoods are intertwined with the creation of these artworks, and the heritage they represent. These are not just garments; they are carriers of history, of skill passed down through generations, and of a sustainable philosophy that resonates more today than ever before.
So here we are, bringing these stories to you, stories worth preserving and celebrating. We hope to inspire you to embrace these timeless pieces and the stories they carry. Join us in this journey of rediscovery, where each saree is a celebration of our roots, a nod to my mother's legacy, and an invitation to embrace a style that is as eternal as it is beautiful.