NT Reporter
Margao
Goan designer Melvyn Noronha’s India National Costume design won the Best National Costume Award at the Miss Grand International pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand.
With the win, Noronha earned the title of ‘Grand Number 1 National Costume Designer of the World’.
The award marks the first time in 32 years that India has secured the top spot in the Best National Costume category at a Grand
Slam pageant since the 1993 Miss World edition associated with Karminder Kaur-Virk’s costume.
Miss Grand India Vishakha Kanwar from Rajasthan showcased the winning costume. The design drew from Hindu theology, invoking ‘Mohini’, the feminine avatar of Lord Vishnu symbolising balance, and ‘Kalki’, the tenth avatar believed to end the Kali Yuga. The central theme depicted the ‘Samudra Manthan’ or Ocean Churning as a metaphor for the human mind and the pageant
industry.
The costume also paid tribute to MGI CEO Nawat Itsaragrisil, portraying him
as a visionary figure emerging from a golden Garuda egg, blessed by the Ashta Chiranjeevis.
Noronha said the project was executed with the support of his core team—Roni, Pratesh, Dattaguru and Vivek—and guidance on Hindu traditions from Vishwanath Bhat and the Narvekar family. He said the design was inspired by his respect for the Hindu community.
The 135-kg ensemble featured multi-metals, HD foam, chiffon and silk, embellished with crystals and embroidery.
Accompanied by ‘Devadatta’, Kalki’s white horse, the costume symbolised spiritual power. Noronha said the colour palette also honoured his former mentee Meenakshi Chaudhary.
