Girhasta’s Banarasi Showcase at Mandovi | Goa, 2017

Shores of Silk: Girhasta Exhibition at Mandovi, Goa – September 2017

In September 2017, as the sun dipped low over the Mandovi River and the air carried a soft coastal breeze, Girhasta arrived in Goa—not just with trunks of Banarasi silks, but with stories woven through warp and weft. The Mandovi Exhibition was not just a showcase; it was a celebration of grace, heritage, and the timeless allure of Indian textiles.

Set in a charming riverside venue that echoed with the rhythm of tradition and the calm of the sea, the event welcomed guests into an oasis of woven dreams. Goa, with its quiet elegance and eclectic spirit, proved to be the perfect backdrop for Girhasta’s signature collection of handwoven Banarasi sarees.

The display was intimate yet regal—rows of heritage silks cascading like waterfalls of gold and jewel tones, subtle moongas shimmering beside bold rangkaats, and tissue drapes that caught the Goan light just so. Each piece carried the soul of Banaras, yet felt perfectly at home amidst the laid-back luxury of Goa.

Guests arrived with anticipation and left with wonder. The atmosphere was steeped in warmth—where craftsmanship met curation, and every saree was not merely presented but unveiled like a treasure.

The collection was a tribute to legacy. Katan silks with Mughal jaals, meenakari details glinting softly under warm lighting, zari pallas with delicate tassels—all narrating forgotten stories from the looms of Varanasi. These weren’t just garments. They were heirlooms in the making.

From sunrise hues to twilight tones, the colour palette reflected the coastal setting. Soft sand beiges, seafoam greens, coral pinks, and deep oceanic blues—all dyed on pure handloom bases. Guests touched, draped, and twirled—each movement capturing a whisper of tradition.

As music lingered in the air and the river glistened nearby, conversations turned poetic. Stories of grandmothers’ sarees, wedding day silks, and festivals wrapped in gold. In this space, time slowed down—and style took the shape of sentiment.

The team at Girhasta ensured every guest experienced personal attention. Whether it was guiding them through weaving techniques, helping with drape styles, or simply sharing a cup of chai and laughter—it was hospitality woven with heart.

Visitors came not just from Goa, but from neighbouring cities. Some were long-time patrons; others stumbled in, enchanted by the glint of zari from afar. All left carrying not just a saree, but a memory of warmth, nostalgia, and quiet luxury.

The exhibition also gave space to the artisans—through framed photographs, stories pinned to walls, and handwritten notes explaining the time, effort, and emotion behind each piece. It was Girhasta’s way of honouring the hands behind the heritage.

Children played nearby while their mothers picked sarees. Young brides-to-be sat with stars in their eyes, imagining mandap moments in moonga silk. Elder women found sarees that reminded them of their youth. It was multigenerational, multicultural, yet entirely rooted in the Indian heart.

As the sun began to set over Mandovi, the soft light kissed every saree into gold. Guests lingered, some returning for one last look, others walking out holding a wrapped drape close to their chest—as if they’d just collected a piece of the past.

The exhibition didn’t just end; it gently faded like a raga’s last note. Girhasta had arrived in Goa with tradition, and left behind beauty, grace, and conversations to be remembered.

Goa gave Girhasta not just an audience, but a memory—etched in silk and sunset.

Until we return to these shores again, we carry with us the warmth of Mandovi, the echo of laughter, and the quiet rustle of woven dreams.