SARI and salwar-kameez, kurta and bed-linen, have all become canvases for colour, and these bright-coloured canvases are set to represent the festive mood for upcoming Eid.

Floral motifs have been brought to life in the saris and kameezes, while peacock feathers and faces of women have completely taken the look of the entire collection to another level.

And these art pieces, as was mentioned by the designer, reintroduce visitors with the school of oriental

art on fabrics, at a three-day exhibition at Drik Gallery in Dhaka.

The mastermind behind this experimental project named Shamuk, Mounjurul Alam Minar, does not claim his collection to be ’out-of the box' but he is quite optimistic about getting a good response from the Eid shoppers.

“Actually, what we have been displaying here may not be an extraordinary collection, but we wanted to keep in mind our rich history of culture and tradition, which has been artistic all the way.”

The designers, Abdul Halim Mithu and Rafiqul Alam Mintu, have tried to create a collection that

would neither be a set of replicas of popular Indian fashion wear, nor just another piece produced in most local boutiques that mainly work as budget shops.

On the opening day on Monday, the venue was full of curious shoppers, while many placed orders for Eid. Sculptor Ferdousi Priyavashini and actress Shimul Yousuf inaugurated the exhibition that ends this evening.

“As the basic rule for a designer piece, we have not made more than one piece for the same design," Minar said. “But we arc open to taking orders to produce a piece if someone wants it.”

The clothes mostly follow traditional cuts and patterns and are made by comfortable local fabrics, like silk, cotton, muslin and chiffon. T he prices of a sari range between Tk 2,500 and Tk 15,000, salwar kameez Tk 5,000 and Tk 15,000.

Bed linen and curtains are on display but was not for sale. However, Minar said they would take orders for those items.

Shamuk that started off in 2008 still has no showroom to display its creations; it has been producing items so far for friends and family and occasionally for display at different exhibitions.

“But we have plans to give shape to this project and turn it into a real business venture soon.”