April 22, 2013

Store review: Nalli Silk Sarees in Chennai

I was in Chennai just for a day. My non verbal communication skills were put to test and I am glad to announce that I am pretty good at it! Everybody knows about the language barrier in Chennai. I am not going to talk about it coz it didn’t bother me to a great extent. I decided to go to the store accepting that fact. So why crib about it later.

Chennaites
recommended the old Nalli store (original one) on Usman road. What I saw on the entrance of the store is heaps of people sitting on the stairs of the store. I guess they came to buy wedding sarees. I entered the store and it was crowded as a vegetable market could get.

I walked past a counter where they sold plain silk materials in all possible colours. The quality of silk was jaw droopingly good for the price. 360 Rs per mtr!! They also had jari borders which can be stitched to the plain saree. I planned to buy the material for a suit after I was finished with the saree shopping.
I went straight inside to a cash counter where I was allotted a co-ordinator. He asked me what kinda sarees I was looking for. There were georgette silks, crepe silk, cotton silk, etc. I said I was looking for pure silk sarees.  “Kanchipuram?” He asked. I nodded positively. He took me to a counter.
The salesman showed me the sarees on the table. I asked something more/different. He sent me to another counter. Every counter I went they showed me 5-7 sarees already out of their racks and when I asked for something more, they used to point at some other sales man.
Very soon I understood that the management theory of “demand pull” is applicable on this store. The salesmen know that their targets will be achieved without making an extra effort to sell. I also pittied on them coz they were continuously surrounded by a lot of women and it sure does require patience to deal with women looking for a saree.
I decided not to budge in until I see everything on the rack of a counter. So every time the salesman tried to direct me to another counter, I point out on a saree from his counter. :P With this strategy, I managed to satisfactorily see all the counters in my budget.
Observations:
·         Remember, how I told you why I prefer Pune over Mumbai for silk sarees in this post? The same rule applies here. The silk is so damn fresh!! You instantly fall in love with the saree.
·         The pure jari sarees were available at astoundingly low rates – 10K onwards! Normally in Mumbai/Pune, real jari starts from 15-20K.
·         Store was relatively organized based on the kind of silk, the price, etc. It becomes very easy for the buyer to choose.
·         So much variety. Thank god for my planning! I had made a list on what colour/kind of saree to buy for whom. The variety would have become a pain if I hadn’t planned enough.
·         The sarees are so different than what you get here. They are traditional, yet so unique. I loved a half n half silk saree in yellow and bright pink!
·         The reason why I chose Nallis over Pothy's: Exchange policy. All the 3 sarees I bought were to be gifted. I dint want to risk expensive sarees. It is possible to exchange the saree in any of the Nalli stores in the country. Mumbai has 2 stores: Near Mahalaxmi temple and Oberoi Mall, Goregaon.
·         There is a single - double border saree concept in Chennai. The single border saree is of course cheaper.

For bridal sarees:
·         I had a look at some of the bridal sarees too. Some were too OTT loaded with jari all over. But I could see some elegant pieces too when asked for. You won't be disappointed if you choose to travel to Chennai specially to buy your traditional sarees.
·         Maharashtrian brides will have a treat! I saw plenty of yellow sarees which looked so rich and less pricey than the "unusual" yellow sarees we get here!


Updates: I wasted so much time shuttling between counters at start that I forgot to buy the silk material while leaving!! :( Nevertheless, I had a great time and was so happy to find a perfect mother-of-the-groom saree. My mom doesnt want to wear designer sarees at weddings. She bought almost all the varieties of silk sarees available in Pune/Mumbai for my wedding. A Nalli saree will add a good change in her collection for my brother's wedding!

I wish I had the time to visit the new Nalli's. Has anybody visited the new Nalli's in Chennai? How is it?

30 comments:

  1. WOW, Really nice post!
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    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Aditi,

    Of all the kinds of silks that you mentioned, which one sets best in terms of draping ...esp for a maharashtrian bride... typical saree draping style... Would be great if you could suggest as im not used to wearing sarees and something that really sets well on the body without making it bulky or unmanageable would be the best opt...

    Awaiting ur response.

    P.S. Not talking about nauvvari here. BTW did u not wear a nauvvari for ur wedding ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pure silk saree (Kanchipuram, South silk) sets well if draped properly. Pure georgette and crepe silk are the best. Do not go for paper silk/tussar silk/cotton silk as it is too difficult to manage.

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    2. I didnt wear a nauvari saree. Some how I dont feel so comfortable in it.

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  3. Is new nallis the nalli 100 store? I did some shopping there recently - while it has beautiful sarees, they are nice and expensive. The base price tends to be 5000rs and above. Compared to that, one can get interesting sarees at lesser prices in the old nallis. Otherwise its a beautiful store and you'd find it difficult to not fall in love with a saree there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info. I know "Nalli next" has a collection which suits modern taste.

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  4. i m would be bride.which shop in mumbai is best for bridal sarees?is chennai silks mumbai branch is good?pl help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Send me an email please - marathiweddings@gmail.com

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  5. Thank you for your information..It is very useful..Kindly Visit us: pure silk sarees online

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  6. i like the reviews of nalli silk saree in channai. thanks for sharing Silk Saree info.

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  7. well silk sarees are the best and expensive too ... can be wore on auspicious occassions like marriage,festivals etc.

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