Woven Voices: Girhasta at HICC Novotel | Hyderabad, 2018

Woven Voices: Girhasta at HICC Novotel, Hyderabad | 20–22 September 2018

From 20th to 22nd September 2018, Girhasta brought a quiet revolution to the heart of Hyderabad. Held at the sprawling and elegant HICC Novotel, this three-day exhibition wasn’t just about Banarasi sarees—it was about women, their stories, and the threads that connect them.

The moment guests stepped into the space, there was a feeling—soft yet strong, much like the sarees on display. Warm golden light bathed racks of handwoven moonga silks, delicate tissues, classic katans, and vibrant rangkaat weaves. But what truly lit up the room was the energy of the women who filled it.

From homemakers to entrepreneurs, young brides-to-be to graceful grandmothers, women from across generations gathered here—drawn by the promise of timeless elegance and meaningful connection. What unfolded was not just a shopping experience, but a shared journey.

Girhasta’s vision was clear: to honour the saree not just as an outfit, but as a medium of memory, strength, and sisterhood. And Hyderabad embraced that vision wholeheartedly.

Conversations flowed easily. A mother guided her daughter to her first pure silk drape. Friends debated between deep maroons and soft ivories, laughing over tea. Strangers helped pin pleats and complimented one another’s choices. There was no competition—only connection.

The sarees, each handcrafted by artisans in Banaras, held their own stories—of tradition, skill, and generational craft. And as women touched the fabrics and tried on the pieces, their own stories mingled with them. Some recalled their first saree. Others shared tales of heirlooms passed down, or the joy of gifting one to a loved one.

Empowerment hung in the air—not as a slogan, but as a feeling. To wear a saree was to honour oneself. To share that experience with another woman was to build something lasting.

The team at Girhasta played not just the role of hosts, but of guides and companions. They didn’t just explain the techniques or motifs—they listened. They encouraged. They celebrated every woman who walked in, no matter her age, shape, or reason for being there.

For some, the exhibition was a return to tradition. For others, it was an introduction. For many, it became a moment of rediscovery. That’s the magic of the saree—it doesn’t age, it evolves. And in doing so, it allows the women who wear it to do the same.

There were moments that stayed with everyone: a woman choosing her first saree post-motherhood. Another gifting one to her sister as a symbol of shared dreams. A college student saving up for her first “grown-up” silk. These small gestures were, in fact, acts of celebration.

The exhibition wasn’t loud or over-designed. It didn’t need to be. The silks spoke for themselves. The women completed the picture. The result was a space where tradition felt alive—contemporary, relevant, and deeply personal.

Hyderabad, with its deep-rooted cultural pride and openness to thoughtful design, made the perfect backdrop. The city’s women brought heart to every interaction, making Girhasta’s event not just successful—but soulful.

By the third day, it was clear this was more than an exhibition. It was a movement in motion. A gathering of women choosing to honour themselves and one another, draped in heritage and heart.

As the final sarees were folded and the lights dimmed, what remained wasn’t just the memory of silk between fingers—it was the quiet power of connection.

At HICC Novotel, Girhasta wove together more than fabric. It wove a community—one where stories were worn, shared, and passed on, one saree at a time.

This wasn’t just an event. It was an echo—of strength, softness, and the enduring beauty of women who uplift one another.