Hyderabad:The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony showcased PV Sindhu, the renowned shuttler, and Sharath Kamal, the accomplished table tennis player, as the flag bearers for the Indian contingent. This group of 78 athletes and officials made their grand entrance in the Parade of Nations along the River Seine on Friday.
The ceremony, which welcomed Paris residents, locals from the surrounding regions, and international visitors, featured Indian athletes in ceremonial attire crafted by TASVA, the fashion house owned by Tarun Tahiliani. The men sported kurta-bundi sets, while the women wore matching saris, reflecting the tricolour of the Indian flag. The outfits were adorned with traditional ikat prints and Banarasi brocade.
However, the reaction on social media was far from positive. Critics expressed disappointment with what they perceived as subpar designs. One user remarked, "Tarun Tahiliani and the Ministry of Textiles bureaucrat who approved this horrendous ceremonial saree should be tried for treason! What a wasted opportunity!"
In contrast, the recent extravagant wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant had featured a range of bespoke outfits by Tarun, including one worn by Kim Kardashian. Netizens have compared this with the Olympics attire, expressing dissatisfaction, a user wrote, "Indian team’s official attire looks inspired from the Ambani Wedding hospitality team. Bravo #TarunTahiliani."