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Colours Of Navaratri – Day 6: Green & grace
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For Carnatic singer sisters Anahita and Apoorva, green represents growth and nurturing — qualities that also define their bond. As they celebrate Day 6 of Navratri in the colour, the duo talk about their love for saris, dressing for concerts and the Carnatic musicians whose style inspires them.‘Green is one of the most commonly found colours in nature’For Apoorva, green stands for life and growth, but it also brings to mind her bond with her elder sister. “My elder sister Anahita has been a mother figure to me since childhood. She has nurtured a large part of who I am today,” she says.Anahita, meanwhile, sees green as a timeless, versatile colour. “It is one of the most commonly found colours in nature. You can always find it in a sari or an accessory, be it temple jewellery or emeralds. We love accessorising in a traditional South Indian way, but also enjoy experimenting with kemp jewellery, attikai and jimiki. All of these are beautiful, especially when they’re green.”
Our Navaratri fashion includes saris in different colours and materials like pattu or kani silk
Apoorva
‘We are both sari enthusiasts’Saris are a staple of the sisters’ festive wardrobes, particularly during Navratri. “We wear saris in different colours and fabrics, from pattu and Kanjeevaram silk to cotton. They work for almost any occasion, traditional or contemporary,” says Apoorva.For Anahita, the sari is an especially fitting choice for the festival. “Navratri celebrates Devi over several days, not just in specific parts of India but across the world. I think wearing a sari is a perfect fashion statement for the festival. Saris are our go-to festive outfits,” she says.‘Our styling reflects our similarities and differences’The sisters have a signature way of dressing alike without looking identical. They often choose saris with the same pallu colour, pattern and design, but different body colours.Anahita sees it as an extension of their relationship, both as sisters and as a musical duo. “We have elements of similarity and difference, and our sari styling, whether professionally or at a concert, reflects that,” she says.Choosing what to wear for a concert often begins with a look through their wardrobes. “We go with something that speaks to us when we open the wardrobe, perhaps a colour that matches our mood that day,” says Anahita. Stage lighting, the backdrop and audience seating also influence their choices, while some concerts have a specific theme to dress for.
Navaratri grandly celebrates Devi across so many day, and that too not just in specific parts of India but across the world. So, wearing a sari is a perfect fashion statement
Anahita
‘Navratri celebrates the spirit of the divine feminine’For the sisters, the festival is about more than dressing up. “Navratri is about celebrating the spirit of the divine feminine. As women, it’s one of our favourite festivals of the year. We love dressing up ourselves and our gods at home. We love the puja, the smell of wonderful food, prayer and lots of music,” says Anahita.‘Sudha Ragunathan amma has created a unique visual identity’The sisters draw inspiration from some of Carnatic music’s most admired women. Apoorva recalls their admiration for MS Subbulakshmi, ML Vasanthakumari and Brinda amma, whose stage presence was as distinctive as their music.“The regal colours, grand pattu saris, beautiful nose rings and bright studs spoke volumes about the thought they put into their appearance and presenting themselves on stage. We also like how Sudha Ragunathan amma has created a unique visual identity through her styling. More recently, it has been lovely to see artistes performing together on stage coordinated in their colours or fabrics,” she says.STYLE FILEThe silk sari: A bottle-green Banarasi or Kanjeevaram sari with a fuchsia blouse is a classic combination. Give it a fresh spin with a metallic antique-bronze blouse.The lehenga:For a soft, dreamy look, pair a sage-green lehenga with a lilac or rust dupatta. For a richer, traditional palette, team a deep-green lehenga with wine or burgundy.The churidar:A green kurta with tonal trousers and an embroidered organza-silk dupatta makes for an elegant festive outfit. Finish with gold jhumkas, bangles and classic Kolhapuri chappals.The office look:Pair a green formal shirt with tailored off-white trousers, gold hoops and loafers for a smart Navratri workwear look.
Pair a green sari with antique-gold jhumkas and a few gold bangles, and finish the look with a sleek bun and flowers. It’s a perfect blend of traditional charm and contemporary style
Isha Srii Kamakshi, stylist
BEAUTY FILEBase:Start with well-prepped skin, a lightweight, buildable foundation and concealer only where needed. The aim is a fresh finish that lets your skin look like skin.Eyes:Bronzy-gold eyeshadow paired with softly smudged brown liner creates a lovely contrast with a green sari. Add a hint of green along the waterline and smudge a little below it.Lips:A warm nude keeps the look understated. For something bolder, try burnt cinnamon, terracotta, deep plum or chocolate brown.Finishing touch: A matching green bindi adds a festive accent. Avoid overloading the look with heavy eyes, bold lips and an overly highlighted base.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to let everything stand out at once. Always focus on balance, a beautifully blended base, and letting one feature take centre stage
Samantha Jagan, celebrity makeup artiste
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