This saree in Bangalore could drape the Statue of Liberty

Bangalore: If silk is the queen of textiles, then Bangalore is its kingdom for the next few days. The Bangalore Silk Utsav 2010 that opened on Wednesday is being deemed as the largest and first of its kind in India. The event is designed to develop the local industry and give saree makers from around the country, an opportunity to promote their wares.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the exhibition is the 700-ft long silk saree, which is twice as high as New York's Statue of Liberty, and longer than Brigade Road. The monster masterpiece took six master weavers and 16 craftsmen, and a total of 10,000 man-hours to finish. It portrays the Mahabalipuram Temple being lashed by waves, and images of monkeys, elephants and lions from the bas-relief 'Arjuna's Penance'.

The exhibition and sale also has a wide variety of sarees, coming from 11 states around the country. Minister Shobha Karandlaje, who attended the opening, remarked that she wanted to see Bangalore become "famous" for its silk, and that there was a real desire for the people of the state to see this through.

"Bangalore should be a fashion and silk city," she said. TH Somashekar, chief advisor, Silk Utsav, said that the event will help promote and popularise silk in the state. "It is from these modest beginnings that we need to develop. This city should hold regular fashion shows. We need to get on the world stage like Paris or Milan, but with silk."

The Silk Utsav runs until the October 26 at Palace Grounds in Gayatri Vihare.