Silchar-based fashion designer creates ripples in Toronto

Our Correspondent

Silchar, June 10: Showcasing an array of her creation, Silchar based Anuradha Paul has created ripples in the world of fashion designing abroad. Like every year, the Toronto Public Library celebrated Asian Heritage Month recently. Mohanapriya Subramaniam was the in charge of the whole event. Keeping Indian culture and tradition in mind, the programme began with lighting of earthen lamps by Toronto city councilor Josh Matlow. Bharatanatyam was presented before the audience as a welcome item. This was followed by a wonderful and entertaining presentation on ‘Incredible India’ which focused on Indian heritage, rich culture, different classical dances, languages, traditional garments and varieties of Indian food items.

The segment, ‘Bollywood dance by kids’ kept the audience spell bound. The well trained and talented kids presented a number of Bollywood dance numbers from the movie Queen (2014) and from some movies of Shah Rukh Khan. The fashion show by Anuradha Paul showcased varieties of bridal wear from different parts of the country like Kashmir, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Punjab and the whole of South India. Indian folk dances like Garba, Ghoomer, Pinga, Mohiniattam and Koli were performed. Kids also participated actively in yogic exercises. The kids performed Suryanamaskara, one of the most ancient yoga forms.

The event took place at Mt. Pleasant Library. Mehendi artists offered free decorative designs to the interested persons. Anuradha Paul has worked in India as fashion designer, fashion choreographer, stylist and model groomer. She has done more than 400 plus shows in India and has designed for two South Indian movies. She has also worked as a grooming instructor for Balaji Telefilms. She did her schooling from Silchar. After that, she moved to Bangalore for designing school.

When she was in class 7, she made up her mind that she wanted to become a fashion designer. It was very difficult for a small town girl to dream big as there was hardly any resource available during that time in Silchar. But her parents were supportive. During her college days, Anuradha and her team did more than 50 inter collegiate fashion shows cum competitions and they won them mostly. The turning point of her life was winning the MTV style showdown which was the biggest inter collegiate competition during that time.

After that Anuradha never turned back as her dreams got wings. She got lot of offers from fashion industry and her career graph began rising. She also got chance to work with Sabyasachi Mukherjee. She has learnt a lot from working with Kolkata based famous designer Sayon Mitra. After college, Anuradha started doing lot of corporate fashion shows for some of the well known companies. She has been called from different parts of India to showcase her collection.

Anuradha’s next biggest break was when she was asked to showcase her collection in Bangalore Fashion Week in the year 2011, where she got the chance to showcase her collection and share space with top designers from the fashion industry like Neeta Lulla. She started doing some of the leading fashion weeks in India like India Kids Fashion Week, India Bridal and Lifestyle Fashion Week, India Bridal Week, Mysore Fashion Week etc.

Anuradha was associated with them as senior grooming instructor. She has designed costume for a lot of celebrities from both Bollywood and South Indian film Industry. In 2017, her husband got the opportunity to move to Toronto, Canada. After having such awesome career in India, she struggled almost a year in abroad to get her first break. Finally, she did her show in Toronto where she showcased India’s rich culture through India Brides. She is on her way for the next fashion show for one of the leading event managing companies in Toronto.