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Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Fabric fundas: The ultimate kurti decoder you didn't know you needed; Top 10 picks
Not all kurtis are created equal and neither are their fabrics. From breezy cottons to elegant chiffons, the fabric decides how your kurti feels, fits, and flows. But most of us scroll, like, and add to cart without really knowing what we're getting into, literally. So here's your ultimate guide to 10 kurtis made from 10 totally different fabrics. Whether you're a fan of fancy finishes or after that everyday comfort, this one's stitched together just for you. Let's break down what each fabric feels like, where it shines, and what kind of vibe it adds to your outfit. Viscose rayon is that cool cousin of cotton who always looks more polished. It's flowy, lightweight, and feels soft on the skin; perfect for those days when you want to stay comfy without looking underdressed. This Sangria kurti brings in a beautiful navy tone with prints that pop, making it ideal for casual workdays or post-office coffee catch-ups. Pair it with: White cigarette pants and Kolhapuris for a crisp everyday look. Chanderi is the royalty of festive fabrics; light as air but shiny as champagne. With its subtle sheen and fine texture, this Ahalyaa kurti is your shortcut to looking festive without going OTT. The gotta patti adds sparkle, making it a great pick for pujas or intimate celebrations. Pair it with: Gold palazzos and jhumkas for that wedding guest charm. Cotton is like that best friend who never lets you down. Breathable, soft, and perfect for Indian weather, this pure cotton kurti by Rain & Rainbow comes with ethnic prints and an A-line silhouette that flatters almost every body type. Wear it on those 'too hot to try' days and still look fresh. Pair it with: Straight-fit denims and tan mules for a coffee-ready casual look. Linen is the cool breeze of fabrics. This cotton-linen blend kurti is crisp but comfy, structured but relaxed. The delicate thread work adds an artisanal vibe, making it a great pick for semi-formal meets or slow Sunday strolls. Pair it with: Off-white ankle-length pants and block heels for a brunch-ready look. Polyester may not breathe like cotton, but it sure stays sharp and crease-free. This abstract printed Biba kurti is great for days you need to look put-together without ironing your soul out. Ideal for travel or quick office switch-ups. Pair it with: Tapered trousers and chunky sneakers for a fusion twist. Silk = elegance, always. This pure silk Vedic kurti with mirror work has that rich-but-relaxed vibe. It glows (literally) under lights and feels luxurious. Wear it when you want compliments without trying too hard. Pair it with: Wide-legged pants and a potli bag for that artisanal glam. Denim but make it desi! This shirt-style kurti gives a nod to western wear while staying rooted in ethnic prints. It's perfect for college, casual Fridays, or anywhere you want that effortless street-style edge. Pair it with: Leggings or jeggings and silver hoops for a cool Indo-western look. Chiffon is sheer elegance, literally. Lightweight and airy, this chikankari embroidered kurti is a whisper of grace. Great for summer evenings or when you want your outfit to feel light as a petal. Pair it with: Matching churidar and delicate kolhapuris for a dreamy, feminine look. Georgette is chiffon's sassier sibling, still lightweight but with more bounce. This HERE&NOW kurti blends chikankari embroidery with structure, making it great for modern, experimental dressing. Perfect for college or cafe hopping. Pair it with: Dhoti pants or flared trousers for a playful silhouette. Satin = smooth operator. This kurti is glossy, glammed-up, and ready to party. The keyhole neckline adds a little drama, while the floral print softens the vibe. Satin always says, 'I came to slay.' Pair it with: Skinny pants and stilettos for a dinner-to-dance floor transformation. When it comes to kurtis, fabric is more than just feel; it's function, fashion, and flair. Knowing what each material offers helps you buy better, wear smarter, and flaunt with confidence. So next time you're browsing, don't just fall for the prints and let the fabric do the talking! Party-wear sarees: Easy-to-drape sarees to dance all night long; Top 8 picks Aishwarya Rai saree looks: Recreate Ash's most iconic on-screen drapes Top 8 Georgette sarees: Embrace six yards of glamour and add drama to your drape Cotton and viscose rayon are great for daily use—breathable, soft, and sweat-friendly. Chiffon is softer and sheer, while georgette has more structure and bounce. Polyester and denim are low-maintenance and don't wrinkle easily. Go for Chanderi or silk—they have shine without the weight. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Qawwali is more than music; it's a universal expression of devotion that unites people'
Fresh off his Bollywood playback debut in the Akshay Kumar-starrer Sarfira, singer Sagar Bhatia returned to Hyderabad for his third performance in the city. The evening was full of energy as the audience swayed and sang along to his qawwali songs. Speaking to Hyderabad Times , Sagar opened up about his musical roots, inspirations and the strong bond he shares with the city and its listeners. 'I've been drawn to qawwali since childhood' Speaking about his musical roots, he said, 'I've always been drawn to this kind of music. Even as a kid, my voice had a certain depth, and I naturally gravitated towards qawwali,' adding, his journey has been shaped by two musical legends: 'Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab is a huge inspiration, I've learned so much from him. And then there's Gurdas Maan sahab. While qawwalis are usually performed seated, I like to stand and move with the music — that energy, I picked up from him. These two are like gods to me. What I do today comes from their influence.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo 'The Hyderabad audience has always been incredibly energetic' Talking about the city and its audience, he shared, 'Qawwali unites people regardless of caste, religion, or background. No matter where I perform, the crowd always joins in, and Hyderabad is no different. However, there's something uniquely special about this place. The audience here has always been incredibly energetic. This is my third performance in the city, and each time, their energy elevates the entire experience.' He also couldn't stop praising the city's food. 'I'm from Delhi, but there's something magical about Hyderabad's spices. I love spicy food, and every meal here is a full experience — I just can't resist it.' 'Spontaneity is the soul of every live performance' Talking about his experience in performing live in India and abroad, he said, 'The stage often brings unexpected moments despite all the planning. I prepare for every tour, but things on stage often take a different turn. Once, during a show, I was performing a track called Biba and had also prepared some shayari for it. But the audience's energy was so infectious that I spontaneously came up with something completely new on the spot — Rukhte rukhte beh gaye na jaane kyun, woh mujhse itna sab kuch keh gaye na jaane kyun. Khwaab saare mere beh gaye na jaane kyun, woh mujhse itna sab kuch keh gaye na jaane kyun. Conclusion yeh hai ki hum toh buddhu ban ke reh gaye na jaane kyun. This entire piece was created in the moment, and the fact that people connected with it so deeply means the world to me.' 'We wrapped up the recording of Khudaya in just 45 minutes' Reflecting on his playback debut Khudaya from Sarfira, he shared, 'It was my first-ever playback experience. That month, I was doing 25–26 back-to-back shows and was completely exhausted. I even told the director I didn't think I could sing. But he said, 'We need this grunge in your voice.' I gave it a try, and it turned out beautifully. I'm grateful to God and the entire Sarfira team, the whole process happened so naturally. In fact, we wrapped up the recording in just 45 minutes.' Quotes: When you sing a Bollywood or indie song, you're usually expressing a specific emotion or telling a story. But qawwali is something else, it's not just music, it's a form of devotion. You can offer it to your love, to God, to your parents, or to any belief you connect with. We don't limit it to one person or religion, and that's what makes it truly universal. Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab and Gurdas Maan sahab have been huge inspirations. They're like gods to me — everything I do today is shaped by their influence - Sarmistha Ganguli
Entrepreneur
11-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Moms Build Empires with Love and Grit
This Mother's Day, we salute the mompreneurs who prove that love, patience, and purpose can build both families and empires—reminding future entrepreneurs that it's never too late to begin. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. "Being a mother and an entrepreneur means nurturing growth with love, resilience, and unwavering commitment—both at home and in business." — Meena Bindra, Founder and Chairperson, Biba. Motherhood and entrepreneurship may seem like two full-time jobs, but for countless women across the country, they are the same journey—of nurturing, evolving, and leading with love and grit. These "mompreneurs" are redefining success not just in boardrooms, but around kitchen tables and in home-grown ventures that blossom into global brands. For Sangeeta Jain, Co-founder and CRO of RAS Luxury Skincare, the leap into entrepreneurship came not in her youth, but at the age of 50. "The toughest part," she shares, "was stepping into completely new territory with no prior experience. But having my family by my side made all the difference." Her daughters not only encouraged her but joined the journey as co-founders. "They've been great partners and even more incredible daughters." Similarly, Meena Bindra started Biba at the age of 40 from her home, armed not with a business degree but a deep sense of purpose and instinctive understanding of style. "There were days of chaos, moments of doubt, but also immense joy," she recalls. "Watching my children and Biba grow has been a beautiful reminder that with heart and hard work, anything is possible." For both women, motherhood didn't just coexist with their businesses—it shaped them. "If there's one lesson from motherhood that's become a core business principle," Sangeeta reflects, "it's patience. Things will fall apart at times, but staying calm, adapting, and pushing through is what truly makes the difference." Their leadership styles, too, reflect this dual role. Meena shares, "Motherhood taught me to be patient and empathetic. I began applying the same care to my team that I would to my children. It made my leadership more intuitive and grounded." Sangeeta echoes this: "It's all about showing up every single day—whether it's for your family or your extended family at work." These stories are testaments to the quiet resilience of mothers who build empires not just for their own success, but to inspire a generation. Both entrepreneurs emphasise that it's never too late to start. "Don't doubt whether you're capable—just take that first step," Sangeeta advises. "You can't learn to swim without jumping into the water." Their journeys are rich with milestones—brands that have become household names, teams that function like families, and legacies that extend beyond profit. But their greatest achievement, perhaps, is the example they set. As Meena puts it, "Motherhood doesn't hold you back; it gives you a unique strength that can become your biggest asset in entrepreneurship." This Mother's Day, their journeys serve as a reminder that love, resilience, and vision can be the cornerstones of both home and enterprise. The mothers are not just raising children—they're raising standards, rewriting rules, and showing us all what it truly means to lead with heart.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
When brands went beyond the bouquet for mothers
As India prepares to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 11, the air is, as always, filled with expressions of gratitude and love. It's not 'just another Sunday' for the kids. It's Mother's Day, a day when the usual rhythm of life shifts, filled with a different kind of purpose. One can almost sense the last-minute dashes for flowers, the hushed whispers of planned surprises, and the weight of expectation around that perennial challenge: finding the perfect way to say 'thank you'. But this year, the advertising landscape offered something a little different. While the traditional notions of pampering and gifting were present, a distinct shift was noticeable: Indian brands delved deeper, seeking to capture the often unseen realities and everyday nuances of motherhood in 2025. handpicks a few of these campaigns that felt less like a grand spectacle and more like a series of different, yet connected, conversations happening about the same important person – Maa . This year's campaigns felt less like a monolithic tribute and more like a collection of intimate conversations, each revealing a different, essential facet of what ' Maa ' truly embodies in our lives now. Several brands turned their spotlight onto the emotional landscape of being a mother, particularly the initial, sometimes challenging, phases. Biba , for instance, launched a campaign that resonated with many by focusing on the emotional invisibility some new mothers feel, a quiet call to acknowledge the woman beyond just the caretaker of the newborn. Similarly, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals released a poignant film that traced the emotional and physical journey to motherhood, celebrating the transformative process itself, from the first positive test to the anticipation of arrival. These campaigns offered a moment of reflection, acknowledging that motherhood is not just a role, but a profound personal evolution that deserves to be seen and understood. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cloudnine Hospitals (@cloudnine_care_) Beyond the emotional, there was a clear focus on recognising a mother's practical wisdom and providing tangible, everyday support. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund's campaign, aptly titled "माँ सब जानती है" (Mother knows everything), used humor and relatable banter to highlight a mother's inherent financial prudence, subtly weaving in the importance of investing for the future. It was a nod to the countless ways mothers guide their children, not just emotionally, but through sound, practical advice that shapes their lives. Aditya Birla Capital's latest campaign, 'Motherhood on Hold ', challenges the conventional celebration by spotlighting the financial realities that compel many women to delay motherhood. Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance's new film celebrates the quiet, powerful lessons passed down from mothers, not as grand declarations, but as everyday actions that shape who we become. At the heart of the campaign lies a simple, resonant truth: the greatest gift a mother leaves behind isn't love, it's Viraasat . Or as the brand puts it: "Ma ki di hui Viraasat." Siyaram's, with its roots in tradition, brings out a Mother's Day campaign called 'A Mother's Love – The Only Call That Matters.' A film that captures a simple reality: in a world racing against deadlines, the mother's call is the one we cannot afford to miss. Ashok Leyland celebrates the everyday heroism of mothers—their tireless dedication, enduring resilience and unconditional commitment. The campaign underscores the profound role mothers play in shaping journeys, serving as the protective force behind every great endeavour. Pepperfry, in its campaign, tries to get it right on the occasion of Mother's Day. It celebrates the chaos behind every well-meaning plan to make mom feel special. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@pepperfry_official) Duroflex tells the untold horror story of motherhood: sleepless nights. Through the campaign, the brand brings a spine-chilling tale of 3 AM feeding calls and a recliner that understands the comfort moms truly need. Swiggy steps away from the conventional and dives into the tender spaces of shared grief, memory and healing. With no dramatic monologues, just quiet conversations, hands working in rhythm while baking the cake, small smiles, shared silences and the universal comfort of food. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swiggy (@swiggyindia) RedBus's Mother's Day campaign celebrates reconnecting with mothers, honouring the unique strength of mothers through heartfelt journeys View this post on Instagram A post shared by redBus (@redbusindia) Haier Appliances India reshapes the narrative of modern motherhood with its new campaign for Mother's Day. The campaign touches on a poignant narrative by spotlighting the message that motherhood and ambition can go hand in hand when parenting is truly shared. In a video titled '#BehindEveryMom', the brand captures the everyday realities of a working mother who is able to chase her dreams, not by sidelining her role as a parent—but because she is seen, supported and empowered by a husband who shares that role equally. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Haier India (@haierindia) Vinod Cookware challenged a common stereotype with their campaign, asserting that "Not every mom loves to cook," a simple yet effective message recognising mothers as individuals with diverse preferences and passions. The idea of 'presence over presents' truly shone through in campaigns like Instamart's "Add Yourself to Cart." In a world often fixated on material gifts, this initiative cut through the noise with a simple, powerful message: the most precious gift is often just being there. The whimsical idea of literally being delivered to your mother resonated deeply, tapping into the universal truth that presence and quality time are invaluable. Addressing specific needs and advocating for well-being also featured prominently. Prega News partnered with Swiggy to create a "Preggy Cravings Menu," a delightful and practical way to cater to the unique desires of expectant mothers. The DCM Shriram Foundation highlighted the critical issue of maternal health risks in rural India through a moving film, drawing attention to the need for accessible healthcare and their efforts through the Khushali Sehat program. Celebrating the diverse forms of motherhood and the enduring bonds across generations was another key theme. Ugaoo's campaign embraced modern motherhood, showcasing diverse mother figures like plant moms and mentors, asking "What is a mom today?" and acknowledging the many forms nurturing takes. Even Orchids The International School contributed with a film celebrating the balance of discipline and nurturing in motherhood. Of course, the tradition of gifting remained a significant element, but even here, brands encouraged more thoughtful approaches. Jewelers like CaratLane and Craftier showcased collections emphasising personalisation and lasting value, catering to diverse preferences, including those of younger, Gen Z mothers who appreciate ethical and wearable pieces. Ajio injected humor into the gifting narrative with its "Movement of Offended Mothers (M.O.M.)" campaign, playfully highlighting the need for more thoughtful presents beyond generic gestures. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@ajiolife) This sentiment was echoed by the collaboration between Boat and Blinkit , which used a lighthearted approach to critique performative online tributes and encourage genuine acts of appreciation. Collectively, the Mother's Day campaigns of 2025 painted a more complete and nuanced picture of motherhood. They moved beyond stereotypical portrayals to acknowledge the emotional depth, practical intelligence, diverse forms and evolving needs of mothers in contemporary India. By focusing on both the profound journey and the everyday realities and by incorporating themes of health, well-being and the simple power of presence, brands created connections that felt more authentic and resonant, reminding everyone that celebrating mothers is about seeing, appreciating and supporting them in all the myriad ways they enrich our lives, not just on one designated Sunday, but every single day.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This Mother's Day, Biba makes moms feel seen
HighlightsIndian wear brand Biba, in collaboration with Enormous Brands, has launched a Mother's Day campaign addressing the emotional invisibility of new mothers, emphasizing their transformation post-childbirth. The campaign, titled #MakeMomsFeelSeen, aims to shift the focus from the newborn to the mother, encouraging society to acknowledge and celebrate the woman who has just given birth. Led by mothers from both Biba Fashion and Enormous Brands, the campaign emphasizes the importance of recognizing new mothers not just for their caregiving roles, but for their identities and experiences. Indian wear brand Biba , in collaboration with Enormous Brands , has launched their new Mother's Day campaign that shines a light on the truth spoken about the emotional invisibility of new mothers . While the world showers love on the newborn, the woman who just gave life often fades quietly into the background. 'This film is a gentle reminder that while a child is born, so is a new mother. Rooted in an emotional insight that's rarely acknowledged, the film gives voice to what countless new moms feel, but rarely says out loud,' said Sindhu Sharma, national creative director North, Enormous Brands. The new film captures the quiet transformation many women undergo post-childbirth. Trading identities, dreams and desires for diapers, feeding schedules and constant caretaking. As everyone gathers around the newborn, the mother quietly fades into the background. 'Through this film, we hope to shift the narrative to ensure that new mothers feel seen, valued, and supported—not just for what they do, but for who they are,' said Ekta Dutta, head marketing, Biba Fashion. What makes this campaign even more special is that it was led by mothers on both sides—client and agency—who brought their lived experiences and empathy to the heart of the story, the company stated in a press release. With the campaign hashtag #MakeMomsFeelSeen , BIBA calls for a cultural reset- one that shifts the spotlight back to the new mother. In a world that rushes to celebrate the baby, Biba urges us to pause, acknowledge, celebrate and support the woman who just gave birth. With its perfect blend of thoughtful storytelling and emotional resonance, Biba's #MakeMomsFeelSeen campaign is live across its stores and digital platforms. Watch the video here:
