Parsi embroidery's '92 riot connection

To get a taste of how ancient parsi embroidery has been adapted to suit contemporary tastes. The Guide suggests drop by at Perveez Aggarwal's My Beautiful Embroideries sale

To get a taste of how ancient parsi embroidery has been adapted to suit contemporary tastes. The Guide suggests drop by at Perveez Aggarwal's My Beautiful Embroideries sale

What does an intricately embroidered Gara saree, usually an heirloom in most Parsi families, have to do with Mumbai 1992 riots? Everything, says South Mumbai resident Perveez Aggarwal.

Her label My Beautiful Embroideries was born in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid violence when she was thinking up ways to provide employment to uneducated but skilled Muslim karigars.

An association that kickstarted between this affluent Parsi lady and a bunch of Muslim artisans is now a full-fledged business that she runs from her home.
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Perveez Aggarwal with some of the pieces that will be on sale at her exhibition.

Relying on word-of-mouth publicity, Perveez is now ready to reach out to a wider audience through an exhibition-cum-sale that's scheduled between August 10 and 12 at DBS Galleria, Fort.
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"Drop by to see the ancient art of Parsi Gara embroidery on sarees, shawls, stoles and scarves. The design, colours and motifs are a mix of Chinese and Indian influences."

The original Garas were richly embroidered sarees brought to India from China, by Parsi traders.
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The embroidery usually covered the whole length of the fabric with sprays of flowers, winding creepers, fruits, and birds on them.

"I have adapted the design to suit contemporary tastes. Peacocks, birds, roses and pagodas are embroidered on the fabric," she says about the collection that's priced between Rs 4,500 and Rs 50,000.

On: August 10 to 12, from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.
At: DBS Galleria, DBS House, Prescott Road, Near Cathedral School, Fort. Call: 40509466 / 40509364 / 9819589429