“Pandemic has changed not only us but also our lives as well. The businesses that could do business online saw a boom in their businesses. Other businesses could not match them as people have lost the urge to go out to shop. After the pandemic has eased, people are now going out but to purchase in bulk. For one or two pieces, they prefer online. Since Dashobhuja is available online, we were not much affected by God’s grace” said Dalia B Mitra.

The last two years have been depressing for most of the designers and the weavers added Dalia Mitra. “The major problem that I faced was communication and transportation. It was affected during the pandemic. Though work was given to the weavers, they faced problems in transportation. Thankfully it has been resolved now. I could connect with the weavers staying in remote areas of Chattisgarh or South India easily now. Hence puja this time is something I am looking forward to” said the designer.

The designer has started work for the Puja collection from the threading stages. She has mixed cotton with silk, cotton with jute, and many more blends for the saris in the Durga Puja collection.

The saris are lightweight, fashionable, and available in different exciting shades.

There are some exclusive blocks available at Dashobhuja that the designer uses in her saris and Punjabis. Her last Machher Biye block which was introduced a few years ago is popular even now.

The designer added that she has completed work on a new block. That will not be introduced during the Puja but will be available after the Pujas. That is called the Taj collection. The intricate designs on the walls and floors of the Taj Mahal have been copied on the blocks and will be available in saris and Punjabis.

The price range for the saris starts from Rs 1200 to Rs 2500.

The Dhuti-Punjabi set is priced at Rs 4200.

A 10 percent discount is also on offer at Dashobhuja to celebrate the feat of UNESCO- Intangible Cultural Heritage. This will be applicable till Mahalaya.

Sweden, Stockholm, USA, and Bangladesh are some of the places where products from Dashobhuja have gone.

Dalia Mitra summed up by saying that affordability, comfort, and style are the USP of Dashobhuja since inception and the designer will maintain that in the coming times as well.

Video link of the interview- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZXQf9yoT6E

Priyanka Dutta