The Sari Isn’t Still Done Talking and at 105, Vijaylakshmi Silks has Stories to Tell

"The sari isn’t going anywhere", says Rohith C Ramesh, fourth-generation torchbearer of Vijayalakshmi Silks in Bengaluru, a name that hardly needs an introduction. A favourite not just among Bengalureans but across the country, the brand marked an impressive 105 years recently. 

I entered the Sabha in Bengaluru at Vijayalakshmi Silks’ Loom, Legacy, Landmark exhibit in collaboration with the Mysore Royal family and found myself slowing down almost instantly. For the unversed, Mysore’s relationship with silk is inseparable, the roots trace back to the 18th century when Tipu Sultan established the silk industry. With the ‘Royal Mysore Edit’, the two legacies brought together a collection of 105 handwoven silks. 

“One hundred and five years is a significant milestone, especially today when many businesses struggle to sustain themselves. Vijayalakshmi has consistently upheld the tradition of silks and saris. Ultimately, quality speaks for itself. That commitment to quality is what has enabled us to sustain and celebrate this legacy today,” says Maharajkumari Kamakshi Devi Wodeyar on the 105 year celebration.

The Royal Mysore Edit

Rows of Kanjeevarams unfolded like stories, each one with rich pallus and intricate zari that caught the light just right. It felt immersive, as if every saree was asking to be noticed, to be worn, to be lived in.

Each sari felt like a work of art, revealing the hours of craftsmanship poured into it by skilled karigars, from the intricacy of the borders to every delicate zari thread. The provenance of these pieces made the showcase even more special. Many of the designs were drawn from the brand’s archives. So, the piece you fall in love with today may have been conceived 50 years ago, or even earlier and is ready to find a place in your wardrobe for decades to come.

Vijayalakshmi Silk's fourth-generation custodians Dhiren C Ashok and Rohith C Ramesh say the milestone feels less like a burden and more like a privilege and a responsibility to carry the legacy forward.

“This celebration is our tribute not just to the brand, but to the entire ecosystem that supports it, including the weaving clusters. We are deeply conscious of the responsibility we carry,” says Rohith.

“When we document and archive our history, we continue to uncover stories of immense effort and resilience from earlier generations. For instance, sourcing was once an arduous process, our forefathers travelled by train, carrying large trunks of saris, often sleeping on them to safeguard the stock. Today, we can connect with weavers over video calls and streamline operations, but their efforts continue to inspire us,” adds Dhiren.

A century on, despite working with numerous weavers and operating a large production unit, the essence of the brand remains unchanged. Even with more advanced systems and easier routes, Dhiren and Rohith are preserving the brand's core values. They continue to stay involved in every sari at the store and don’t rely on purchase managers. As they explain, a sari must first appeal to them and if it resonates with them, they believe it will resonate with their customers as well.

The ideation begins months in advance. The process involves multiple stages: brainstorming, sampling, feedback, and technical adjustments. Factors such as texture, pricing, and production viability are considered before moving forward. From there, the development of motifs, and variations, begins. For instance, the two recently conceptualised a Kalamkari-inspired design translated into a brocade weave. 

Kalamkari on a brocade weave, now that is a pairing most of us wouldn’t even imagine. But picture it, the intricate storytelling of Kalamkari on a silk brocade, the result would be nothing short of breathtaking. Collection after collection, the brand reveals a distinct story. This devotion is precisely why, even after a century, its allure has not faded. 

“As long as culture remains integral to Indian identity, the sari will endure.The Indian woman looks her best in a sari, and that cultural connection will continue to sustain the craft. We are committed to preserving and evolving this legacy and, hopefully, celebrating 200 years in the future,” says Dhiren.

The exhibition ends today, but the story of Vijayalakshmi Silk continues. While it marks 105 years of the brand, it celebrates something far greater, an Indian garment that traces its origins back over 5,000 years. It is a testament to our country’s living heritage, continually reimagined. And that is what ensures that the sari will endure, always.