First, Preeti draws inspiration from the surroundings and tribal communities to develop design concepts based on working with indigenous yarns. Second, she explores the permutations and limitations of the looms and techniques of a region to develop weaves and the drape of fabrics or recreate traditional design concepts. Third, she crafts the design using natural colour and traditional motifs.

Taatini’s design aesthetic is probably better demonstrated by describing their sarees. In one, they drew inspiration from the traditional motifs used in the fabrics of the Northeast, in particular, the 100-year-old kinkhap motif of the Ahoms, Assamese royalty. Preeti used this pattern on a Banarasi silk georgette. She added zari and minakari work to weave the motif, using a technique traditionally used in Banaras to weave for royalty.

For another, they took inspiration from antique Bodo Dokhanas, which the sisters’ grandmother used to collect. Dokhanas are the traditional dress worn by Bodo women. Stretching from chest to ankle, they are usually 2.5 to 3 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. Different flowery designs, known as ‘agor,’ are woven into the dokhona in varied colours.

Preeti used Tanchoi, a silk weaving technique involving a single or double warp and two to five colours on the weft. These colours are often of the same shade. They are famed for the intricate and small weaving patterns over the fabric, the commonly used patterns used are those of flowers, small birds in flight, peacocks and parrot motifs. The Taatini now is a beautiful example of the Tanchoi method use to showcase Bodo motifs.

Taatini constantly experiments with different embroideries and weaves that would enhance the lustrous Eri fabric. For one collection, they found possibly the perfect match between Kasuti from Hubli and Taatini’s natural hand-dyed Eris. Kasuti motifs are tribal geometric patterns that have a strong resemblance to the tribal motifs of the Northeast. Taatini sarees and stoles are handwoven, using the traditional skills of a national pool of silk farmers and weavers, always paying an extraordinary respect to these artisans and their craft. Their skill gives you weaves that flow softly and gently, giving you sarees and stoles with a perfect fall and drape.

Taatini sarees and stoles, with their unique design language, their distinctive combination of tradition and modernity, their approach that involves artisans, consumers, communities and ecosystems will help you walk in beauty. You will always find Taatini sarees and stoles that you will like. And probably more than one.