The Paithani flies high!

Did you know that one of the worlds top airlines, once wore a sari?

Way back in 1997, British airways, in an effort to break away from its stiff upper lip image, invited designs from all over the world, that they would choose to paint on the tails of their aircrafts.

A tartan checks design from Scotland, a typical Egyptian tent motif from Egypt and guess what, a traditional Paithani motif from India!

The designer who submitted this design was Meera Mehta. She chose a design that she had designed, that had then been woven by master craftsmen and had won a national award! Meera, who was 47 then, had already won awards for costume design for the film utsav.

The BA bosses were enthralled by the motif and selected it to paint it on the tails of that aircraft! So that’s story of how an aeroplane once wore a saree!!

This design , till date , is still woven by the master weavers of Yeola and they have aptly named it as the ‘British airways paithani’.

In my upcoming exhibition, you will get a chance to see, hold and even  own this masterpiece.

Fall in love with this beauty that has maintained its inherent charisma over the ages.

(Please feel free to contact me to know more about these heirloom pieces. )

Published by

musingsofmruga

From textile designer, to fashion designer, to entrepreneur, to image consultant, to internationally certified ‘Heal your life coach’, to a lover of yoga, my journey had been that of discovery and learning. Somewhere along this journey, I also became a wife, a companion, a mother, a daughter in law to being a mother in law myself!!! I’ve come a long way! I enjoy interacting with people and sharing all that I have learnt along this journey. There have been lots of failures but the lessons learnt from these experiences are priceless. I believe that clothes , grooming , body language and appearance have a tremendous impact on not only how we feel but also how others react towards us. However, the most stylish clothes and the best grooming habits are of no use unless we are healthy from within. The key lies in balancing this Image that we project to the world, with the real YOU that the world sometimes fails to see. The image that we project to the world, has to be Authentic, Appropriate, attractive and affordable. Unless we work on this image from Inside out, no matter how much we work on it from outside, it will be inadequate. I help people find their true self, to embrace themselves and accept themselves with all their flaws. Thanks to the teachings of Louise Hays, I believe in the powers of affirmations and positivity. Thanks to yoga, I am more aware of how strong our bodies can be. Yoga taught me awareness and staying in the moment. My only regret is that I wish I had discovered yoga earlier in my life. It’s never to late to start yoga practices and the best time is NOW, no matter how old you are. Through my blog, I am trying to make my readers aware of how easy and exciting this journey of self discovery can be. So, this is how I would like to describe myself. I am an artist, a poet, a fashion designer, a foodie, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a companion, a caretaker, a dreamer, a realist. I want everything, and want to live to the fullest. I have an opinion about everything and am ever ready to give my advice and opinion , but only when it is asked for and is valued. I am always ready to learn new things and also willing to share whatever knowledge I have gained in the last 5 decades of my life . This is my platform, where I share my thoughts. Feel free to visit and drop your comments.

15 thoughts on “The Paithani flies high!”

  1. Wow! Such interesting info!. I could never have imagined BA and paithani together 🙂
    Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your exhibition.

    P.S. : I doubt if the BA managed to shrug off their stiff upper lip image though! thats a tough nut to crack 🙂

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  2. This in-depth knowledge about Paithani will make me look at these saris in a totally new light henceforth; waiting to witness the charisma at the exhibition 😊

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  3. Dearest Mruga,

    Enlightened about the historic Paithani!
    All the very best for the exhibition! Look forward…

    Love
    Shilpa

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