The study of the people of Rajasthan is incomplete without the knowledge of costumes and ornaments. The costumes of the present have the reflections of the costumes of the past. . Both males and females dress in the customary dresses fully influenced by climate, economy, status and the profession, they are engaged. The traditional dresses being Potia, Dhoti, Banda, Angrakhi, Bugatari, Pachewara, Khol, Dhabla, amongst Hindus; and Tilak, Burga, Achkan amongst Muslims which fast changing now with Bushirt, Salwar and Skirts, Saris and Pants accordingly. Turbans the head dress of Rajasthan is a differential pattern of each geographical region designed to its terrain and climatic influence. Clothes express ones personality and tell people which village and caste they belong.
All over Rajasthan the bandhni, tie-dye sari and turban reign supreme.
The common dress of the women constitutes: (i) Sari or Odhani, (ii) Kanchli or Kunchuki or Choli (iii) Ghaghra or Ghaghri or Lahanga Besides, Royal Wardrobe - The state records of Jaipur mention special departments in charge of royal costumes While the Ranghkhana and the Chhapakhana are departments that took care of dyeing and printing the fabrics respectively. The siwankhana ensured its immaculate tailoring Two special sections, the toshakhanaand the kapaddwadra, took care of the daily wear and formal costumes of the king. Traditional textiles - Rasjasthani daily wear such as Saris, Odhnis and Turbans are often made from textiles using either blockprinted or tie-and-dye techniques. Rajput Costumes - The Rajput kings, owing to their close proximity to the Mughal court style in their formal dress. Richly brocaded material from Banaras and Gujarat, Embroidered and woven Kashmiri shawls and delicate cottons from Chanderi and Dhaka were procured at great cost. Men's Attire - The turban, variously called Pagari, Pencha, Sela or Safa depending on style, an Angrakhi or Achakan as the upper garment and Dhoti or Pyjama as the lower garment make up the male outfit. Turban Styles - Varying styles of turban denote region and caste. These variations are known by different names such as Pagari and Safa. A Pagari is usually 82 feet long and 8 inches wide. A safa is shorter and broader. The common man wears turbans of one color, while the elite wear designs and colors according to the occasion Pila or Peela An odhni with a yellow background and a central lotus motif in red called a pila, is a traditional gift of parent to their daughter on the birth of a son. Women's Attire - The standard design is a four-piece dress which includes the ghagra (skirt), the odhni(head cloth), the kurti (like a bra) and the kanchi (a long, loose blouse). ODHNI- An odhni is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide, One corner is tucked in the skirt while the other end is taken over the head and right shoulder. Colors and motifs are particular to caste, type of costume and occasion. Both Hindu and Muslims women wear odhnis. |
