How can I come to Kolkata and not buy saris: Jaya Ahsan

Time of India

a day ago

Jaya Ahsan, known for her grace in saris, celebrates National Handloom Day, emphasizing her deep connection to Indian handloom. She integrates handloom into her life, from home décor to gifting, promoting the craft beyond just wearing it. Jaya views handloom saris as a celebration of identity and heritage, supporting weavers' livelihoods and sustainable fashion, with Jamdani being her favorite.
Few carry a sari with as much grace and elegance as
Jaya Ahsan
. This Handloom Day, the actress brings her timeless charm to the pages of
Calcutta Times
, celebrating the threads that tie us to our roots.
Two years ago, she turned heads in a stunning silk handloom sari at Alipore Museum for the same occasion, and this year, she returns – equally radiant and emotionally connected to the cause.
'Is there anything more timeless than a handloom sari?' she asks with a smile. 'This day is an emotion for me, and this shoot is my heartfelt tribute to the rich legacy of Indian handloom,' she adds.
'Handloom is my way of staying rooted'
'To me, sari means handloom,' says Jaya Ahsan, who not only wears handloom but incorporates it into her home décor and gifting.
'Even my upholstery at home is handloom, and I love gifting it to loved ones. That's how I promote the craft beyond just wearing it,' she says, adding, 'It's my way of staying rooted while encouraging elegance, ease, and pride in our heritage.'
A celebration of identity and craft
'For me, wearing a handloom sari is a celebration of identity, heritage, and the hands that keep it all alive,' says Jaya. She believes days like National Handloom Day play a vital role in encouraging people to wear handloom with pride.
'It supports the weavers' livelihoods and promotes sustainable fashion – and I'm all for it.'
Buying
handloom saris
from Kolkata is a ritual
'Kolkata te asbo aar sari kinbo na—erokom hoy naki?' laughs Jaya Ahsan. With Durga Puja around the corner, Jaya has already planned her festive looks. 'To me, a handloom sari is more than just a garment it's an emotion woven with threads of tradition, memory, and identity. Each drape tells a story and carries the warmth of culture and the timeless grace of heritage.'
Jaya Ahsan stuns in a Benarasi organza with kadhua weave, the drape gives a bold twist to the sari
As an artiste myself, I try my best to promote weavers : Jaya
'To me, each Jamdani drape tells a story'
'My favourite handloom is Jamdani, it's truly a masterpiece among handloom weaves,' says Jaya. 'More than fabric, Jamdani is poetry in thread. What makes it special is the intensive craftsmanship. I have over 150 to 170 high-count Jamdani saris and for me, the count matters the most.' For Jaya, wearing a Jamdani is not just about elegance. 'It's about wearing history, artistry and the quiet strength of heritage. In Bangladesh, people even say I am the brand ambassador of muslin and Jamdani,' she laughs.
Where memories live in every fold
Jaya has a special place in her closet, and her heart for old saris. She says, 'I still have my mother's two wedding saris and the first sari my grandmother gifted me when I was in class seven.' From the most expensive weaves to those bought for five hundred rupees, Jaya treats each with equal care. 'Every year, during the Bengali month of Bhadra, I air them out under the sun. It's a quiet ritual I cherish – letting them breathe, preserving their texture and colour.
It's my way of honouring not just the fabric, but the memories and craftsmanship woven into every thread.'
Quote blurbs:
'I have a soft corner for handloom saris because I respect the craftsmanship of our artisans. As an artiste myself, I see them as artists too – and I always try to promote their work in my own way'
'I played the role of a weaver in Bangladeshi tele film Obak Sandesh. I had to literally learn how to weave a sari to make my character look more convincing. It was a heartwarming experience to learn the craft'
'Kolkata is the hub of handloom saris and I can't stop buying them whenever I am here. This time my mother has come with me, so you can imagine how many we have picked together'
'I have two walk-in closets full of different kinds of saris. It's not just the new ones I treasure, an old sari holds the same place in my heart'
Pics:
Tathagata Ghosh;
makeup, hair and draping:
Noor Alam Babai;
assisted by:
Entaz Nabi;
Sari by:
Joydeep Roy;
jewellery by:
Sheetal Agarwal;
styled by:
Anupam Chatterjee;
location:
Deshapriya Park Puja Committee