Paying homage to the Tamil language, Masaba Gupta drops her latest collection of a limited edition saree line with shimmering Tamil letters.
The ‘Oh So Masaba’ collection, named ‘The Madras Muse Saree’, was dropped on July 12th. The designer has revealed that it is a limited edition collection. First unveiled in New Delhi for a show in 2012, Masaba says the Tamil script saree collection never made it to the larger market and wanted to bring back the collection from the brand’s archive for the new generation, now that The House of Masaba has a global reach.
She says the collection was inspired by her fascination with the Tamil language when she used to visit Chennai and try to understand the Tamil letters on the street signs or newspapers, not knowing the language. But drawn to its shape, flow, and rhythm.
She says, ‘Years later, I still find myself returning to that memory… I knew I would keep coming to this beautiful language for inspiration. The ‘Oh So Masaba’ collection is a reflection of that pull to preserve what is timeless, and to bring it into a space that is entirely my own.’
The sarees have been launched in black, red, and ivory. The details on the sarees are astounding, ranging from the prints of one of the foremost icons of the House, the ‘Palm’ mascot, dotted red ‘Bindis’, and letters from the Tamil language, cascading across the saree.
The sarees are paired with jhabla blouses, jackets that have Tamil letters, and the label’s name printed across in Tamil. The palla has a one Tamil letter ‘ம -Ma’, the starting letter of the designer, printed bold atop a circular formation of the label’s name representing a bindi, reaffirming the designer’s iconic motifs. No Masaba collection is complete without the palm and the bindi punctuation incorporation. The moment you spot it, you know it’s screaming Masaba. The saree is paired with the ‘Etched Bajuband’ – an ornamental band which is tied around the upper arm with letters of the Tamil script in zardozi work, from which hang the handcrafted tassels, bringing the ensemble so wonderfully together.
In an industry where North Indian couture houses aim for a pan-India appeal, attempting to avoid regional languages, especially from the South, Masaba’s revival of Tamil feels quite radical. This collection holds space for language and culture, often sidelined in the mainstream Indian Luxury Fashion. The Tamil letters etched on the saree not just reflect the heritage of the language but also bring together people, making them feel seen. Fashion, when done with intention, brings together culture and makes differences disappear.
