When I told the owner of Neelam Silk that I couldn’t tell the difference between a silk and polyester sari, she laughed. She said it should be obvious. A silk sari is smoother then one made with polyester, and ten times more expensive.
Neelam Silk is located on Gerrard St., two blocks west of Coxwell, in the heart of Little India. it’s hard to miss; the storefront is a brilliant neon blue, and is filled with tall, slender mannequins, dressed in colourful saris and adorned with sparkling jewellery.
Its owner, Komanthy Indrakumar, and his family opened the store in 1992, when they emigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka. In Canadian South Asian communities, saris are not worn as often as they are in South Asian countries.
However, Indrakumar found there was a market here among women who were looking for more traditional attire to wear to weddings and other special events. As Little India has grown, so has Neelam Silk. Today, Indrakumar imports saris from all over India.
Inside, Neelam Silk is a dazzling array of blue, red and gold. Hundreds of saris lie stacked from floor to ceiling behind the counter.
I was shown one wedding sari made with the very finest silk and covered with gold stitching or Jary, priced at upwards of $1000. Cheaper polyester saris can be had for $20.
For men, Neelam Silk offers Kurta Pajamas. Silk Kurtas are perfect for hot summer nights and are a steal at $35. Cotton three-piece Kurtas are $65.
Silk is also sold by the yard, and can be used to make pillows and other furnishings.
Whether you’re looking for a dress that will make people talk, or you just like the idea of wearing looser clothing, Neelam Silk is well worth a trip to Little India.
Photograph by Simon Turnbull
