Threads of Tradition | Goa, 2018
Threads of Tradition: A Woman-to-Woman Connection through Sarees – Girhasta Exhibition at Nanutel Hotel
On the 10th and 11th of August 2018, under the gentle embrace of Goa’s monsoon skies, Girhasta hosted a soulful exhibition at Nanutel Hotel, Margao—one that was less about commerce and more about connection. With each Banarasi drape laid out and every pleat admired, this showcase became a celebration of womanhood, strength, and shared heritage.
In the soft rustle of handloom silks, conversations blossomed. Mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends gathered not just to shop, but to reminisce, bond, and rediscover the timeless magic of the saree. The space was transformed into a warm, welcoming cocoon where women connected—heart to heart—through threads of tradition.
From the very entrance, the aura was unmistakable. Tables lined with curated Banarasi silks, racks filled with vibrant moonga, tissue, and katan weaves, and a quiet hum of admiration and storytelling filled the air. Each saree at Girhasta wasn’t just a garment—it was a narrative woven by women, for women.
Nanutel, with its intimate setting and Goan charm, offered the perfect stage. The rain tapped gently on the windows, echoing the quiet poetry unfolding within. Guests walked in with curiosity and left wrapped in nostalgia, grace, and purpose.
The exhibition featured Girhasta’s signature pieces—handloomed with patience and precision, rooted in Banaras yet styled for the modern muse. What made it truly special, though, was the emotion stitched into every interaction. Sarees weren’t sold; they were shared, like stories passed down across generations.
It was a celebration of feminine resilience—of artisans who weave by hand in distant looms, of women entrepreneurs building conscious brands, and of every visitor who chose tradition over trend. Empowerment was not just spoken about; it was worn, folded, draped, and carried home.
Every conversation at the stall carried the weight of memory. One guest spoke of her grandmother’s wedding saree. Another recalled her first drape as a new bride. Young women touched the silks with wonder, asking, learning, listening—building new stories on old foundations.
Sarees in jewel tones stood proudly beside soft pastels. Gold threads wove themselves through maroons, indigos, and ivory. The moonga silks glowed under soft lights, while delicate jamdanis whispered of age-old mastery. And all around, women shared knowing glances and warm smiles.
Behind every piece stood not just craftsmanship, but the invisible hands of women from Banaras, who pour their lives into warp and weft. Girhasta made sure those stories were honored—through conversations, signboards, and respect.
The billing counter saw more than transactions—it saw decisions made from the heart. Gifts for mothers, drapes for daughters, blessings in silk form. And in every package, Girhasta folded in its promise—to preserve, empower, and connect.
Children played in corners while their mothers selected sarees. Elderly patrons sat, recalling how a pallu once meant power. Strangers became friends, sharing tips on draping, styling, and storing. It was community in its purest form—woven in zari and trust.
There were tears too—of joy, of nostalgia, of pride. Because sarees do that. They bring back memories, mark milestones, and become silent companions on life’s most important days.
At its core, this exhibition wasn’t about sales. It was about soul. It reminded everyone that the saree is not just fabric—it’s legacy, artistry, identity. And most beautifully, it’s a bridge between women.
As the last saree was folded and the final guest embraced, the team at Girhasta knew something precious had been created—something far beyond the threads on display.
At Nanutel, Girhasta didn’t just host an exhibition. It wove a circle of women connected by history, held together by drapes, and uplifted by the quiet, unwavering power of tradition.
Goa gave its heart. The women gave their stories. And Girhasta gave them a saree to carry them forward.
