CANBERRA is full of passionate art collectors and one such, Kushma Ram, is holding an exhibition of fine, handcrafted saris.

Ram has led a peripatetic lifestyle. She worked in an international development agency in London until husband’s job took him to Delhi, quit the job to follow him, started collecting saris, and, she says, “never looked back… I was immersed in a vibrant creative environment that took me to different states and enabled me to explore the different types of weaves… and the processes that resulted in such beautiful pieces of artistry.”

Even better, was seeing the sarees actually worn— “I always admired my mum draping them… it was like wearing art,” she says.

Now living in Canberra, Ram’s plan is to show off the skills of the handloom weavers in several styles.

In her exhibition the traditional saris on display demonstrate the skills of the handloom weavers whose families who have been practicing for many generations.

Striking standouts are the iridescent Banarasi silks from Varanasi, (Benares) famous for their play with gold threads, as well as the Kashmiri hand embroidery, often floral,  executed by widows who have lost their husbands in the violence.

But for connoisseurs, there are saris which are peculiar to particular states, notably the priceless cotton muslin “jamdani” weave saris from the Bengal region, which involve extra weft so that no untidy cut threads are seen at the back.

“I am very passionate about saris… the texture, artistry, workmanship and the sheer amount of work that goes behind producing them just holds me in awe,” she says.

Handwoven traditional sari exhibition, Hotel Mercure, Braddon September 29-October 1.