MIDNIGHT FABRIC SALE!!

Yes, its time for the much awaited Midnight Sale..!

Get up to 50% off on all fabrics..!!

Its time to stack up your wardrobe! :-)

SATURDAY, 27th October 2012

4pm to 12 midnight!

See you at the store!

(Store will remain closed from 10am to 4pm on the day of the sale)

"ALAYA"

Recently someone asked us, "How old is Banjaras?"
"Twenty years and twenty regions old" one of us replied.
"Its been 20 years!! Really??" the lady gasped in disbelief.

Yes friends, twenty years since the journey of Banjaras first started.
And still counting...

Over time, we have grown, learnt and evolved and it has been our relentless effort to place before you the most fascinating and intense hand crafted art forms in fabrics from India.
To stretch our endeavour further we, dear patron, invite you to a showcase of drapes (stoles, duppattas and sarees) and accessories from 20 different regions of India.

"ALAYA"

Alaya in Sanskrit means "eternal substance"

It is our effort to bring to you the core essence of the magic of these master craftsmen and to display the very nature of their supreme talent.

Date- Saturday, 13th & Sunday, 14th October 2012

Time- 11am to 8pm

Venue- "Ebenos", Deccan Rendezvous (Old Surya Hotel), Apte Road, Pune 411004.

Contact- (+9120) 25881844/1854

The store will remain closed on Saturday, 13th October and Monday, 15th October 2012.

CHECK OUT OUR MIDNIGHT SALE COMING UP!!!

SATURDAY, 3RD MARCH

4PM TO 12 MIDNIGHT

MIDNIGHT SALE AT BANJARAS

AVAIL UPTO 40% DISCOUNT

FRESH ARRIVALS FOR SUMMER!!!

(Store will remain closed from 10am to 4pm on that day)

"Dhokra" Metal Art Exhibition at Banjaras

Devrai Art Village, Panchgani, held an exhibition of its “Dhokra”metal artifacts at Banjaras on the first weekend of February.Devrai Art Village, an initiative by Ms. Mandakini Mathur, is a non profit organization that specializes in using traditional adivasi (tribal) techniques to produce modern artifacts in combinations of iron, brass and stone, wood and bamboo. These unique products are one of a kind and could be of purely aesthetic value or of utility. Products on display were lamps, coasters, bathroom accessories and door handles to name just a few.
Devrai Art Village was born with the idea of connecting with nature and celebrating creativity. In the process it tried to cut out middlemen and provide maximum income to the adivasis themselves.  In
2008 Devrai began with four craftsmen from Dist. Gadchiroli in Maharashtra under the guidance of Shri Suresh Pungati - a master craftsman who has won many awards - whose work has been exhibited
extensively in India and abroad. This year four additional craftsmen from the Chhatisgarh region have joined the team. Often harassed by Naxalites and the police alike, these craftsmen find a safe haven here in Panchgani where their creativity is nurtured and livelihood
sustained.
The exhibition received a very encouraging and enthusiastic response from our patrons.. So much so that we extended it for a week after the decided dates for our regulars to come and have a look!

Articles on Display

Brass Articles on Display

 The Traditonal Music Instrument- The Horn

Enthusiatic Patrons at the Store

French architect, fashion designer and stylist Carine Mandel visits Banjaras...

French architect, fashion designer and stylist Carine Mandel visited Banjaras over two days in the month of January to source natural fabrics for her upcoming ventures..
She has been using natural fabrics to decorate the interiors of luxury boats, cruise liners, yachts, holiday homes and hotels in USA, Middle East and Europe.
We first met her when Banjaras was in Paris to exhibit and launch its line of drapes at a fashion boutique. At first, she reluctantly alloted us a 20 minutes appointment citing unavailability, but so mesmerised was she with the work that it actually stretched over 2 hours..!!
Ms. Mandel is especially fascinated by the 'Ikat' weave from Orrisa and Andhra Pradesh for its simplicity and sophistication. At Banjaras, she got to see fabric art forms from over 10 states of India, so enchanted was she with so many weaves, textures, colours, prints under one roof, she wished she had more time to spend at the store..
Ask her one thing that attracts her to India, "I can express my femininity here", she quips.
Banjaras looks to welcoming her again next year when she is on her annual sejourn to India.

Carine Mandel at Banjaras

Carine Mandel flaunts her love for Ikats

Banjaras Exhibits in France- A Visual Glimpse

Banjaras Exhibits in France- Paris

Banjaras was also invited to showcase its drapes for a week in a store in Paris that showcased India to Parisians in its own quirky way.. From 'nautanki' chai glasses to big steel 'thalis' from handmade Indian artifacts to handcrafted drapes.. this store had it all!! As you walked into the store remix Hindi hymns n chants welcomed the ears.. It was a learning curve for us to get hands on experience on the likes and dislikes of the European Market.. and what better place than Paris..!!

Urban Masala- The store

The store we dispalyed in, Urban Masala, a relatively new place is situated in the youthful locality of Bastille.. It has its own routine clientele who like the owners share their love for India. It was very heartening to know that people are so eager to know about the art forms present in Indian textiles and are curious to know more and more about it..

Display of the drapes from Banjaras

While some bought the stoles and 'duppattas' for their personal use.. Many bought it for more innovative purposes- stand alone, uniques 'duppattas' for roman blinds, painted pieces as tablecloths, embroidered drapes as wall hangings, weaves and block prints for sofa backs and backdrops..

A customer wanting to know more..

The drapes were very well appreciated and the owners of the store would like us to carry on this association in the future...

Owners of the store Urban Masala