 For
a casual passer by, Pitambari might appear
to be just anothergood saree shop. But if you probed
a little deeper and lifted the veil off Pitambari's
face, you'd find a poignant story of painful struggle
and dizzying success and the resurrection of a dying
art. You would find the story of Sushila Tikamany
- a soft spoken lady, a mother of seven children
and the founder of a huge business empire. A self-taught
designer based in Calcutta, Tikmany started Pitambari
in 1968 to help Bangaladeshi refugee women. The
name Pitambari is derived from Pitambar, the colour
of the rising sun, which, to Tikamany, symbolises
eternal hope. By teaching embroidery to hapless
refugee women and selling the clothes they made
she provided them with a source of income and an
opportunity to look forward to a better future.
Throughout the 60s and 70s Tikamany's sarees travelled
all over North India, featuring in exhibitions.
The ride wasn't smooth as Tikmany met with social
and family opposition. Today, the results of her
determination and enterprise spanning three decades
is there for all to see, standing in the form of
exclusive Pitambari showrooms in all major metros
of India, including Hyderabad. Pitambari sarees
are also exported to the United States and the Middle
East. Meanwhile, Tikamany's work has revived interest
in embroidery, elevating it from something on a
cushion to a fashion statement on sarees.
Pitambari opened in Hyderabad on 31st March 2000
with a collection of 800 sarees. The store has a
classic collection of exquisite sarees embroidered
with zari, silver oxidised work (mix of metal, bead
and thread) on georgette, chiffon, velvet, silk
and crepe. Pitambari also sells ghaghra cholis in
vivid colours laced with intricate threadwork. Over
the last eight months, Pitambari has built a long
list of clientele in this city. The store helps
restore old embroidery, by transferring it from
an old saree onto a new one. The range of women
wear comes straight from Pitambari's looms in Benaras.
Over 1000 artisans working in weaving units in Benaras
and Calcutta execute the work.
In a nutshell, a Pitambari saree is something you
must have in your wardrobe, not only for its sheer
beauty but also for the significant story behind
its creation.
Hyderabad Address: Meridian Plaza, Ameerpet,
near Green Park Hotel, Hyderabad - 500 016,
Phone: 657 1692,
Website: www.pitambariindia.com
Calcutta Address: 2, Rowland, Calcutta
- 700 020,
Phone: 475 8686
Mumbai Address: Mahalaxmi Chambers, 22
Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai -400 026, Phone:
492 9787, 492 1100
New Delhi Address: 9, Adchini Aurobindo
Marg, Near IIT Flyover, new Delhi - 110 017,
Phone: 6968563
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