Bhubaneswar: A young Odia techie won the bid of the Sambalpuri ‘Mathematical Equation’ saree which Bollywood actress Vidya Balan wore for promotion of her recently-released film ‘Shakuntala Devi’ and bought it for the final bidding price of Rs 55,000.
Twenty-year-old Debanshi Mishra, a student of IIT Guwahati, won the online auction of the Sambalpuri Bandha Silk Saree. The money will be passed on to Bhagabata Meher, weaver of the traditional masterpiece from Odisha, Utkalamrita wrote on its social media handle.
Bhubaneswar-based Sabat Exports Private Limited had presented the saree to the actress under the brand name of Utkalamrita.
Thanking all participants of the e-auction, Utkalamrita wrote in its social media post, “Finally, we have our winner. With the winning bid of Rs 55,000, 20-year-old talented Odia girl Debanshi has placed her stamp firmly on the same piece of Shri Ganeet Sambalpuri Bandha silk saree, worn by Bollywood Diva Vidya Balan earlier on July 30 for promotion of Shakuntala Devi.”
“Today, the entire received money will be sent to the original weaver, who had woven the saree in 2015-16. And, we will send the very special Shri Ganeet silk saree to Debanshi,” the clothing brand said.
Earlier, Vidya had shared a selfie on social media wearing the saree and praised its weaver. Later, she had returned the saree as promised. After Vidya’s selfie went viral on social media and many people showed interest in purchasing it, Anita Sabat and Amrita Sabat, co-founders of Bhubaneswar-based Sabat Exports Private Limited, decided to auction the masterpiece handloom and give auction money to the weaver.
The online auction for the saree closed at 10 pm on August 20.
