India is a land richly dipped in beautiful and diverse colours of culture and traditions. Thus, it is no startling fact when this beautiful country is considered synonymous to inclusive cultural diversity.
Her brobdingnagian north to south land spread of almost 3,214 kilometres metaphorically represents the enormous amount of cultural diverseness this land is laden with. With an east to west spread of about 2,933 kilometres, it seems as if it has always welcomed diversity in culture and fashion with her wide open arms.
India has always been portrayed as a land of rich fashion culture- Source: christies.com
The great Silk Route had India at its heart while connecting it to the global cloth markets of Middle-East, Europe and China. From the times of Indus Valley civilisation, when it recorded the first ever proof of the use of woven clothes and fashion accessories in the form of beaded necklaces and blingy bangles, India has always been a fashion diva.
The famous quote, “Kos-kos par badle paani, chaar kos par baani” (Language in India changes every few kilometres, just as the taste of its waters) describes cultural diversity of India almost meticulously and the Indian festivals have eloquently complimented the richness of fashion diversity one can witness in this country.
From the royal sherwani to the humble dhoti-kurta and from the amiable anarkali suits to the gracious sarees, there is literally no end to the diversity in style, fabric and design of fashion wear India is adorned by.
Endless designs from chikankari kurtas to sherwanis and lehngas- Source: Hindustan Times
While moving along the coasts, India hosts grandeur of different beautiful festivals. The start of the western Indian coastline from Gujarat presents us with its lustrous Navratri celebrations. Navratri in Gujarat would be rainbow without colours if we skip the talk of its radiant chaniya choli for ladies and kediyufor men.The glossy colours in which they are available along with its intricate hand-stitched embellishments makes it impossible for anyone to take their eyes off it. In Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi offers us with the darling Nauvarisarees and Maharashtrian style dhoti kurta for men along with the trademark Kolhapuri topias a graceful fashion accessory.
If white is believed to be a non-festive colour, one might have to reconsider the perception as Onam in Kerala gifts us with its white Kasavu sarees. Kasavu sarees are considered to be one of the most elegant versions of a saree with its graceful golden borders. The GI (geographical indicator) tagged shiny Kanchipuram or Kanjivaram silk sarees of Tamil Nadu are loved across the entire nation and especially adored by ladies as an attire for special occasions such as bridal wear or during the harvest festival of Pongal. Odisha, the land of the Lord Jagannath along the eastern coast of India has its unique way of draping sarees and are known as the Sambalpuri sarees which are worn during the grand Ratha Yatra celebrations in the state.
The state which calls itself home to the Durga Puja festivities or more fondly as ‘Pujo’ is West Bengal. Ladies can be seen wearing the famous Lal Par sarees while performing rituals in front of the goddess Durga, in the pandals. These sarees are white in colour with beautiful red borders and floral motifs running all across the saree’s body.
Left to right clockwise; Chaniya Choli and Kediyu, Women wearing Nauvari sarees- Source: Getty Images
Left to right clockwise; Kanjivaram silk saree, Kasavu saree, Lal Par saree- Source: Ajio
Along the river Ganges, we meet the beautiful city of Varanasi (earlier known as Benares) which is home to the bold and heavy Banarasi silk sarees. These sarees are considered to be one of the finest in India and are especially known for their gold and silver brocade or ‘zari’ work and opulent embroidery. Be it festivals or weddings, these sarees are omnipresent. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the northern and western parts of the country and the ethnic wears, which graces this festival,are mostly the beautiful sarees of different regions or the anarkali or the famous Patiala suits of Punjab worn by the ladies and the men go for colourful kurtas paired with dhoti, lungi or pyjamas.
Eid is another festival which would strike any mind when one hears the word kurta. The royal city of Lucknow offers some of the selected best designs and patterns of kurtas in the country which suits every special occasion and festival. The Chikankari work kurtas for both men and women are an absolute treat from this city. Eid outfits have a huge fan following of fashion lovers for the exquisite range of Ghararas and Shararasfor women with their hubs lying in Lucknow and the famous Chandni Chowk market resting in the walled parts of Delhi. Khan Suits or Pathanis are another highly adorned style of kurta pyjamas inspired from the Pashto community. The availability of the kurtas in almost every fabric, design and colour makes it the heart and soul of the men’s festive attire in India.
The elegant shararas (extreme left and right) and ghararas (centre)-Source: likeadiva.com
Just as Ganges in the west, the Brahmaputra in the North Eastern parts of the country witnesses a vast variety of fashion diversity. Bihu is one of the major festivals in Assam. The men flaunt their Gamosa and Dhoti. The Gamosa is a generally a white rectangular piece of cloth with beautiful red borders on three sides and intricate woven motifs on the fourth. The women wear the Mekhela Chador. It is a two-piece clothing draped around the body which can be a magnanimous task sometimes because of the special style of the drape. Along the mighty Himalayas, the cold climate paves way for clothing items that will keep people warm. Jammu and Kashmir is the mecca of some of the finest woollen wears such as shawls and sweaters with Pashmina wool being the undisputed best in the game.
Diverse styles of kurta pyjama; Pathani Suit and Dhoti Kurta- Source: Myntra
Left to right; Gamosa and Mekhela Chador, Pashmina Shawls from Kashmir- Source: Pinterest
The diversity in Indian fashion is not only restricted to the clothes but also in accessories. From bangles to turbans and to the floral accessories like the Gajra, India is laden with various such ethnic add-ons. The Gajra is a flower garland generally made by beautiful white jasmine flowers and which is worn on the hair bun by ladies giving their attire an aesthetic touch.
The Rajasthani bangles and turbans are widely popular and a trademark of the state. Firozabad is home to the delectable glass bangles of India while Hyderabad hosts the world-famous bangles market known as the Laad Bazaar. Jewellery is one fashion accessory which has unfathomable diversity with respect to material and design. From the simplest yet special beaded necklaces of the tribal India to the precious gold ornaments, jewellery is an important part of any Indian festive wear.
The diversity in culture and festivals has led to an evolutionary leap in the diversity of fashion and its inclusiveness in this country and hence, India proudly presents herself with a ticket to ride.
- Noam Sahab
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