The famous race meeting, to which the royal family arrives in horse-drawn carriages, typically sees men in morning suits and top hats and women in striking hats.
Kolkata-based Dr Deepti Jain, who inspired hundreds of women to get into saris at the royal Ascot, is featured in a sari dedicated to the British Queen, featuring Big Ben, London and the skyline of Kolkata, the Union Jack and London tower
But UK doctor Deepti Jain, who hails from Kolkata, gave the idea to the crowd of women to wear saris to show their pride in their national heritage and celebrate the creations of Indian weavers. Most had come from Britain but some had come from other countries including India.
Jain’s silk sari was hand-embroidered by Roopa Khatoon (33), an artisan from Nanur, West Bengal, with the skyline of London and Kolkata, the Queen’s face, Big Ben, a red phone box and the Tower of London.
Sitting at her house on Thursday, Khatoon was smiling from head to toe. “I have never had any formal training in saree making. I just learned from other women in the village and from my mother and grandmother. I’m really proud. I didn’t know about Maharani, London or Big Ben before,” she told TOI.
“I am very happy that I am getting recognition. Till now I give my sarees to the middlemen selling the market. No one gives us any recognition. I am really proud of this saree. It has received such huge appreciation,” Said Khatoon, whose village “Kantha” is famous for embroidery.
“This is the hardest saree I have ever tried. I am used to traditional prints,” she said. It took her four months to make it with the help of other women. “The hardest part was making the queen’s face perfect.”
Roopa Khatoon, a weaver in Nanur, West Bengal, made the sari that was worn by Dr. Deepti Jain, the organizer of the sari event, as well as stole a Union Jack theme gift for the queen.
Tanima Paul, who promotes Indian artisans in the UK, designed the saree and Googled images of Big Ben and Rani on WhatsApp to SK Noorul Hoda, who lives in the same village as Khatoon. She sketched them on the clothes and bought the material and Khatoon made the saree.
As the sari was almost finished, Paul noticed that London was written “Landon”. Khatoon fixed it.
Khatoon A. Made silk stole from Union Jack and the face of the queen, which the group plans to gift to the queen, whose horses run at Ascot. “I wish I could meet Rani and see how she feels about Stolle,” said Khatoon. “I feel so proud.”
“I want to promote Indian craftsmen throughout my life and give them due recognition. It is such a great achievement to be featured at Ascot,” said Paul, who also designed a few other sarees including a Covid-themed saree It is hand painted in Madhubhani style by Choti Thakur from Darbhanga, Bihar, with another theme. Van GoghStarry Night.
An Ascot spokesperson said: “This is a wonderful initiative and therefore worthwhile, we at Royal Ascot extend a warm welcome to all of them.”
watch Royal Ascot race: Women of Indian origin wear saris, some made by simple designers in rural India