Sarees that Tell Stories: Shanti’s Ode to Chhau and Cultural Preservation

Fashion

August 18, 2025

This collection is a creative homage, an interpretation inspired by the essence and spirit of Chhau

In the villages of eastern India, where earth meets sky and ancient rhythms pulse through daily life, Shanti has discovered its most profound collaboration yet. Partnering with twelve Chhau artists from Saraikela (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), and Mayurbhanj (Odisha), the brand continues its mission of preserving India’s cultural heritage through the lens of contemporary craft. Shanti’s designs draw inspiration from the theatrical vibrance, colour, and expressive energy of Chhau, translating these qualities into modern sarees. Every saree in this collection draws from a fresh, high-contrast colour that represents the vibrance and theatricality of this art form and is crafted in crepe and Georgette to allow movement and ease.

Shanti has long championed artisans and communities whose voices deserve amplification. This presentation with Chhau practitioners, guardians of a dance form that breathes mythology into movement, represents the brand’s deepest exploration yet into the intersection of art, identity, and preservation. Fabrics, colours, and motifs to evoke the spirit of Chhau’s fluidity while remaining rooted in Shanti’s contemporary design language.

“We believe that true fashion transcends aesthetics,” reflects Khushi Shah, the Creative Director of Shanti. “It carries stories, preserves memory, and honours those who dedicate their lives to keeping culture alive.”

The collaboration unfolds through three sacred pillars that define both Chhau tradition and the brand’s philosophy:

Nature as the Teacher: These artists live in harmony with the land, their movements echoing the rhythms of seasons and soil. Their connection to nature, both spiritual and visceral, mirrors Shanti’s commitment to sustainable practices and reverence for traditional craftsmanship.
Community as the Strength: Chhau thrives through generations of shared stories, techniques, and dreams. This collective identity resonates deeply with the brand’s approach of building relationships with artisan communities, ensuring fair practices while celebrating shared heritage.
Heritage as the Resistance: Once rooted in martial arts, Chhau now serves as cultural armor, protecting identity against erasure. This spirit of preservation echoes in the brand’s mission to keep traditional Indian crafts alive in a rapidly modernising world.

By documenting these artists in their villages, surrounded by the landscapes that shaped their art, Shanti goes beyond presenting a collection of handcrafted sarees of real zari.

This is a visual poem that celebrates the profound relationship between place, practice, and identity. This collection serves as a testament to Shanti’s belief that fashion’s highest purpose is not merely adornment, but the preservation of culture and the amplification of voices that might otherwise be lost. The campaign was shot by Pranoy Sarkar in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.