Saree shopping in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is a much-sought-after city when it comes to saree shopping. From the Kothakota and Gadwal cotton saree with silk pallus to the Jamdani-style cotton and silk sarees from Uppada and Venkatagiri; or the ikkat (dyed) sarees of Pochampalli and Puttapaka to the Kalamkari block-prints from Machilipatnam or the attractive cotton sarees from Mangalgiri to the silk sarees from Dhamavaram, you get all at Hyderabad’s shops.

To those with a fetish for the sensuous silk drapings, the famed Nalli (Begumpet) needs no unveiling. Its stock includes local Andhra weavings, in addition to the resplendent Kanjeevaram, Benarasi, Coimbatore, and Mysore silk sarees. Check out Kanchi Silk House (Secunderabad), Ankur (Lakdi-ka-pul) and My Choice (Abids) for classic ethnic stuff.

The gorgeous zardosi, zari, ari (needle embroidery) and gold and silver sequin-rich lehengas and sarees at Ritu Kumar (Banjara Hills) are perfect for those on a trousseau-shopping spree. Similarly, Brisah’s (Nagarjuna Hills) exquisite bridal regalia include India’s la-crème designer brands like Tarun Tahliani, Nisha Sagar, Anjali and Arjun Kapoor, Anju Modi and Ritu Kumar.

Meena Bazaar (Abids) is the Hyderabadi fashionista’s dream come true! Right from the local Andhraite weavings, to the Sabyasachi bridal range and the Satya Paul party drapings, Meena Bazaar has it all. Another shop from the same group, Mebaz (Begumpet and Banjara Hills), too has a range of bridalwear from Renu Tandon, Manish Malhotra, the contemporary range from Satya Paul and Shobhaa De. Please make sure your wallets are suitably loaded.

Another place worth a dekko is Kalanjali’s (Saifabad), for its collection of sarees! From sequinned crepe chiffons in geometric patterns to pearl-studded Benarasi silks and crystal-studded georgettes, Kalanjali has the perfect match for both brides and non-brides.

Enjoy designer wear and willing to shell out? Then check out Satya Paul’s (Banjara Hills) haute couture sarees and Isshka’s (Banjara Hills) designer collection that house the likes of Neeta Bhargava and Raghavendra Rathore.

For office wear, check out the block-printed cottons at Tutu Taneja (Banjara Hills) and Kilol (Punjagutta); cotton and khadi sarees at 95 Parklane and Handloom International; and the Kota and bead-work sarees from Satya Creations (Punjagutta). Other popular saree haunts include Abids, Lad Bazaar, Sultan Bazar, MG Road, and Nampally to name a few.

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