"... and back-to-back with them sat Lata and Malati--both dressed in salwaar-kameez..." (p. 25)
Salwaar-kameez is traditional clothing that has been worn by both men and women in South Asia for at least 2000 years. In India the garment is only worn by women.
Salwaars (or salwars, or shalwars) are pajama-like pants that are wider at the top and narrow near the bottom of the leg.
Kameez is a long shirt with side seems often left open below the waste for ease of movement.
The garment was originally only worn in the North of India, but it has become popular across the country as it provides a convenient alternative to a sari and flatters most body types.
References:
Showing posts with label clothing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clothing. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Pyjamas and Jutis
... the handsome black achkan he was wearing, the tight off-white pyjamas, and the brilliantly embroidered white jutis with their upturned toes would present an incongruous picture in a rice field. (p. 19)
Pyjamas, or pajamas, refer to nightwear in most English speaking countries, but Mahesh Kapoor certainly did not wear a night gown to his son's wedding. The word, pyjama, comes from the Persian word, payjama, meaning leg garment. In South and West Asia, pyjamas refer to pants fitted with a drawstring waistband and worn by both men and women. Men often wear their pyjamas with a loose overshirt, called a kurta.
Jutis, or juttis, are traditional Indian footwear worn by both men and women. They are usually made of leather and heavily decorated with embroidery, sequin and beads. The shoes usually have pointed toes and a flat sole. They can have an open or a closed heel, and the left and right foot shoes are the same.
Here is the link to my older post on achkan.
References:
Pyjamas, or pajamas, refer to nightwear in most English speaking countries, but Mahesh Kapoor certainly did not wear a night gown to his son's wedding. The word, pyjama, comes from the Persian word, payjama, meaning leg garment. In South and West Asia, pyjamas refer to pants fitted with a drawstring waistband and worn by both men and women. Men often wear their pyjamas with a loose overshirt, called a kurta.
Jutis, or juttis, are traditional Indian footwear worn by both men and women. They are usually made of leather and heavily decorated with embroidery, sequin and beads. The shoes usually have pointed toes and a flat sole. They can have an open or a closed heel, and the left and right foot shoes are the same.
Here is the link to my older post on achkan.
References:
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Choli
She [Meenakshi] herself was wearing a green-and-gold sari of Banaras silk, with a green choli that exposed more of her midriff than Brahmpur society was normally privileged or prepared to see. (p. 10)
A choli is short-sleeve, midriff-baring blouse usually worn with a sari.
References:
A choli is short-sleeve, midriff-baring blouse usually worn with a sari.
References:
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Banaras Silk Sari
She [Meenakshi] herself was wearing a green-and-gold sari of Banaras silk... (p. 10)
Banaras, also known as Benares and Varanasi, is an ancient city situated on the River Ganges in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is considered holy in Hinduism. It is also the home of the Banaras Hindu University. Banaras is sometimes referred to as the "culture capital of India".
The city is also famous for its saris and silk. Banarasi saris maybe the finest saris in India.
References:
Banaras, also known as Benares and Varanasi, is an ancient city situated on the River Ganges in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is considered holy in Hinduism. It is also the home of the Banaras Hindu University. Banaras is sometimes referred to as the "culture capital of India".
The city is also famous for its saris and silk. Banarasi saris maybe the finest saris in India.
References:
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Achkan
'Well,' said Maan, flicking a rose-petal off his beautiful tight white achkan, 'you're not laughing at me, are you?' (p. 8)
Achkan is a long jacket, that originated in India and is now commonly worn in South Asia. This long-sleeved knee length jacket represents a westernized form of traditional clothing.
References:
Achkan is a long jacket, that originated in India and is now commonly worn in South Asia. This long-sleeved knee length jacket represents a westernized form of traditional clothing.
References:
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Tissue-Patola Sari
'I could have warn the tissue-patola sari I wore for my own wedding,' sighed Mrs Rupa Mehra. (p. 3)
Patola is a type of silk, originating in the Gujarati region of western India. To produce this fabric, the warp and the weft yarns are tied separately and dyed prior to weaving. The dyeing process is also known as Bandhani work. Patola fabrics have no reverse side.
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