NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
New York City, NY, November 15, 2024—The International Museum of The Saree (IM of The Saree) unveiled its much-anticipated pop-up exhibition, Splendor of Silk & Beyond, at the Cohen Gallery and Archives, City College of New York. The event marked a milestone in celebrating the global heritage of sarees and traditional attire, with an eclectic mix of fashion, music, and cultural exchange.
The opening reception welcomed a diverse crowd, including leaders from Indian-South Asian, Caribbean, and Japanese diasporas, who participated in a dazzling display of exotic and vintage sarees, sherwanis, kurtas, dhotis, lehengas, and even kimonos. The collection featured garments from the diplomatic, judicial, professional, and designer communities, showcasing the timeless elegance of Banarasi and South Indian sarees, Indo-Caribbean and South American apparel, and even a special cancer awareness saree.
Adding to the evening’s allure was the preview of IM of The Saree, Act 1, a short documentary film featuring a message from the museum’s founders, and appearances by Bollywood star Rahul Roy, legendary musician Pt. Anup Jalota, and maestro Ustad Kamal Sabri. The exhibit also boasts archival audio of lectures by the late Pt. Ravi Shankar, renowned for his role as a music professor at City College.
Performances at the reception were equally mesmerizing. Guyanese artists Terry Gajraj and Anjali captivated the audience with their dynamic performances, while Ustad Kamal Sabri and his ensemble elevated the evening with a soulful musical journey.
The exhibit, which ran from October 15 to December 11, 2024, represents a broader mission of IM of The Saree to archive and promote the development of arts, culture, and community histories. This initiative garnered support from organizations like GOPIO International, SACSS, Nataraja Arts, Vivarta Arts, and diaspora leaders from countries including India, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Japan.
For those who missed the exhibition, private curations are available upon request by contacting imofthesaree@gmail.com. Visitors can explore the museum’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage, from legendary icons’ apparel and accessories to audio-visual archives of its showcased artistry.
Co-founder Ashvini Persaud emphasized the museum’s vision: “Through sarees and traditional attire, we connect threads of history, culture, and resilience from across the globe.”
The Splendor of Silk & Beyond not only celebrates the rich traditions of saree-making but also serves as a vibrant platform to foster cross-cultural appreciation.
