India’s Golden Bird: Divita Rai’s Costume at Miss Universe Showcases India’s Cultural Wealth
Divita Rai, one of India’s trending personalities, is representing India at the 71st Miss Universe pageant, set to take place on January 14th. The pageant, which will feature over 80 delegates from around the world, will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the national costume round, Ms. Rai turned heads with her golden ensemble, designed by Abhishek Sharma.
The outfit, named “Sone Ki Chidiya,” which means “golden bird,” is meant to symbolize India’s wealth of cultural heritage and its spiritual essence of living in harmony with diversity. The ensemble features intense gold metallic hand embellishments and is made from a hand-woven tissue fabric from the Chandheri District of Madhya Pradesh. The lehenga and drape represents the image of modern India, while the wings on the costume represent the power of nourishment and care that India has shown towards its citizens and the world, with the message of “One World, One Family.”
In an Instagram post, designer Abhishek Sharma described the national costume as the true essence of modern India and its approach to progressive thinking.
