On November 12, 2024, opening reception of Splendor of Silk & Beyond, an initiative of pop up, the International Museum of The Saree, welcomed the public including many organization leaders of Indian-South Asian, Caribbean and Japanese diasporas, who also participated in fashionable and virtual display of exotic and vintage sarees, sherwanis, kurtas, dhotis, lehengas, kimonos and more from diplomatic, judicial, professional and designer communities.
The curation bragged of Banarasi, South Indian sarees, new historically significant Indo-Caribbean & South American apparel, cancer awareness-wellness saree to describe a few, and an exciting preview of the short documentary film, IM of The Saree, Act 1, with a message from the founders of International Museum of The Saree, legendary musicians, Pt. Anup Jalota, Ustad Kamal Sabri and a teaser by Bollywood Star, Rahul Roy. The exhibit has, on reserve, audios of lectures by legendary Pt—Ravi Shankar, who taught music at City College, CUNY.
Exclusive short film preview of IM of The Saree and performances by Terry Gajraj & Artiste Anjali of Guyanese heritage followed an exciting performance by renowned musician and composer, Ustad Kamal Sabri and an ensemble of musicians at the opening reception, hosted by City College of New York, Colin Powell School of Civic & Global Leadership, City College Alumni and pop-ups, IM of The Saree and Green Fashion, Art & Design Museum.
An inspiring red saree from the International Museum of The Saree on Museum Mile, 2018. (Photo provided by International Museum of Sarees)
The exhibit began on October 15 and concluded on December 11, 2024, at City College in New York City. Those interested in viewing this eccentric and fashionable exhibition of legendary icons' apparel, accessories, short films, and audio in the Cohen Gallery & Archives should RSVP at [email protected] and ask for private consultations.
This is an ongoing initiative of the International Museum of The Saree to archive the development of arts, culture, and people, which GOPIO International, SACSS, Nataraja Arts, Vivarta Arts, Shri Swaminarayan Baps Temple, Mithila Center, Mala Desai School of Odissi Dance, Hearts of Change, Gracie Mansion Conservancy, CUNY employees and alumni, diaspora families, and leaders of various organizations, communities and diasporas of countries ( India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Guyana, Caribbean, Bangladesh, South Africa, Zambia, Pakistan, Europe, China & Korea) were apt to participate in.
International Museum of Sarees may be reached by contacting team IM OF The Saree or co-founder, Ashvini Persaud at [email protected] 917.993.2557