Sutradhar
From classroom to catwalk. From Shimoga to the world.
Sutradhar is where a year of drawing, cutting and sewing walks out in front of an audience.
Each collection is designed and made by KIDAT students. The show is the final test in the design process: the work has to hold up on a moving body, under lights, in front of people who have never seen it before.
Sutradhar 2025, The Storyteller, was held on Saturday 27 September 2025 at Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga, with original collections from two batches of KIDAT students and full coverage by Kenstone Studio. The next edition, Sutradhar 2026: Threads of Tradition, is on Sunday 25 October 2026 at Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga.
Below, the 2025 edition in seven chapters: from the first invitation to the last walk, and what comes next.
How The Storyteller came together
From the first invitation to the night itself, as KIDAT announced it.
The invitation
“You’re cordially invited”: Sutradhar, The Storyteller, on Saturday 27 September at 6 pm at Hidden Leaf, with Arun Sagar and Hitha Chandrashekar as chief guests.
The line-up
KIDAT introduced the nine student designers, the models, show director and choreographer Mirza Ali, host Pramodh Kumar and the dancers who would perform on the night. Credits
The chief guests’ videos
Hitha Chandrashekar and Arun Sagar each posted a video ahead of the show. Watch them
The show
The red carpet, nine collections on the runway, and graduating students on stage with the chief guests. The night on film
The chief guest’s gown
Hitha Chandrashekar wore a gown designed by KIDAT on the night: brown satin, a sculpted ruffle neckline and pearl detailing. See the gown
Chapter 02 / 07 · The cast
Two names from Kannada film were the chief guests of the evening and judged the collections.
- Arun SagarActor, art director and comedian in Kannada film and televisionWikipedia
- Hitha ChandrashekarActor in Kannada and Hindi films, including Premier Padmini and Silence... Can You Hear It? Wore a gown designed by KIDAT on the night.Wikipedia
- Mirza AliFounder of MJ ProductionsInstagram
- Pramodh KumarHost artist from BengaluruInstagram
- Bhavana, Brunda, Disha and SaakshiDancers
Brown satin, a sculpted ruffle neckline and pearl detailing, designed by KIDAT for Hitha Chandrashekar to wear as chief guest.
Behind the first edition
Two films from backstage at Sutradhar 2025, with sound: fittings, rehearsals, hair and make-up, the line-up and the walk.
The last hour
The runway on film
The night, as the audience saw it
Filmed by media partner Around Shivamogga and creator SHK FAZZ.
Chapter 05 / 07 · The finale
The last walk, a word from the chief guest, and certificates for the designers.
Chapter 06 / 07 · The stories
All student work
Chapter 07 / 07 · What comes next
The story continues with Sutradhar 2026: Threads of Tradition, on Sunday 25 October 2026 at Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga, with chief guest Sonal Monteiro.
- Sutradhar 2026: Threads of TraditionSunday 25 October 2026 · Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga
Sutradhar 2025: The Storyteller27 September 2025 · Hidden Leaf, Shivamogga · nine designers
Co-host the next edition
Your material and your story, made into a collection by student designers, shown on the runway and carried across the city and the feed.