Kajol’s archival black Manish Malhotra sari features zardozi on chenille fabric

With her latest Manish Malhotra ensemble, Kajol made a case for deep hues and rich fabrics. Even though the sweltering temps have understandably nudged the trend towards vibrant palettes and wispy fabrics, the actor showcased her penchant for non-conformist choices as she turned up for an event in a black chenille sari, a luxurious, fuzzy fabric typically reserved for winters. (The word ‘Chenille’ originated from the French term for ‘caterpillar’, whose fur this yarn resembles.) Intricate embroidery brought together ornate paisleys entwined with delicate florals and foliage, while the scalloped border appeared as if directly woven into the textile and not attached to it.

The revered art of zardozi embroidery is said to have originated in Persia and conjoins two Persian words: ‘zar’ (gold) and ‘dozi’ (embroidery). During its heyday in the 13^th century, the craft was executed in gold and silver threads and was used to embellish most everything—from tents to scabbards of erstwhile royals.

Today, it is interpreted differently with several metallic threads that are employed to painstakingly sew surface ornamentation on an array of textiles. The time and labour-intensive craft can take anywhere between 10 days to a couple of months to complete, depending on the intricacy of the design. Malhotra has long been its flag-bearer, carrying its legacy forward with several couture collections, most notably ‘Nooraniyat’. His latest Evara ‘25 outing, too, sees traditional zardozi embroidery threaded over timeless handloom textiles to create exquisite saris, anarkalis and lehengas.