The importance of the Kurta Pyjama and the Salwar Kameez as a traditional Indian clothing is not only that it trascends age - a three year old can wear it and so can an eighty old grandmother- but it is also indisputably the only unisex traditional clothing in the Indian sub continent.
Men in the northern part of India especially Punjab and Kasmir and those in Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan wear different variants of this dress. In Pakistan and other Muslim nations of the Indian sub continent, the Salwar Kameez is usually referred to as the Pathani and worn by rural people and city-dwellers alike. These are long kameez(shirts),collared, usually of single color,often in silk and embroidered and worn over loose salwars (pants).
In the northern belt of India men of all generations wear the traditional kurta pyjama on festivals like Diwali, Eid and during weddings and other family functions. Older men still prefer the comfort of a light white kurta pyjama while relaxing at home even though they wear trousers to work. Politicians generally adorn the kurta pyjama or a churidar with an achkan for a graceful and authoritarian presence. Who can forget Pandit Nehru in the crisp white achkan and churidar with a red rose bud nestled in his achkan's lapel?
Over the years, there has been an evolution in the packaging of this loose-fitting apparel to make it more appealing to the youth. Gone are the shapeless rucksacks of before and in have come smart kurtis (short shirts) to be worn over Jeans or churidars and the many variations in length,designing and style as well as exclusive brands like Isvarah and Biba have revolutionized the industry of this humble garment in India. No longer is it only a Punjabi dress.The fact that a garment can cover you from top to toe and never get in your way or your eyes holds a universal appeal to women on the move. KurtaS, churidars and pathanis worn by movie stars at events help in making the garment a style statement.
So next time when your favourite pair of jeans ditches you after a night of binging; try the old-fashioned salwar kameez or the churidar kurta- it will welcome you in its folds and will stay a loyal friend come rain, come shine cleverly hiding anything from a baby bump to an unsightly bulge.What is a Kurta?
A kurta is a kind of loose shirt which is also a traditional form of clothing worn in some countries like India, Pakistan and more. But it is gaining popularity in western countries as well as it is a very comfortable outfit. A kurta can be worn by both the genders i.e. by both men and women.
A kurta is a loose shirt whose length falls around the knees of the wearer. The shorter version of the kurta is called as a kurti. A kurta forms the upper part of the dress and it can be paired with a loose salwar, churidar pants or even trousers to form the complete dress.
A traditional kurta is a very comfortable outfit and is made from rectangular pieces of fabric. The front and the back pieces of a simple traditional kurta are rectangular. Also, sleeves falls straight to the wrist in a traditional kurta and the sleeves do not narrow down in a traditional kurta. A traditional kurta don’t even have a collar and the neck is normally round.
A number of modifications have been introduced to improve the look of the kurta. You can have embroidery, buttons of different styles on a kurta to make it look more graceful. You can remove the sleeves, reduce the length of the sleeves or even include a stand up collar to improve the appearance of the kurta. Different fabrics can be used to make different kurtas. Silk, cotton are used to make kurtas which are to be worn during the summer season where as thick fabric like wool is used for kurtas to be worn during winter season.
A kurta can also be used on a number of occasions. A simple kurta is a perfect outfit for everyday life because of the comfort which the wearer can enjoy by wearing it whereas a kurta with an appealing embroidery work, wooden or metal buttons, collar, artificial jewels, can be used for formal events.To summarize, a kurta is a comfortable outfit which is equally popular among the young and the elderly people. A kurta can be used on a number of occasions as it is possible to enhance the appearance of the kurta by using a number of accessories like buttons, jewels and more.
What is salwar kamez?
A salwar kameez is a loose suit consisting of a top or kameez and a pair of flowing pants, called salwars, and it is used as traditional dress in many South Asian nations.. Both men and women wear salwar kameez because they are modest in line with Muslim values while also allowing full freedom of movement. Although variations on the salwar kameez are found all over Asia and the Middle East, the traditional salwar kameez is worn in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan by people of all religions.
To wear a salwar kameez, the dresser starts with the salwars, which are traditionally loose, although more modern designs are slightly more form fitting. The salwars are knotted around the waist or held up with an elastic band, and the kameez is pulled down over the head. A traditional kameez is also loose with long sleeves and a tunic like shape that covers the thighs, with slits to allow the legs to move.
A salwar kameez can be made from a wide variety of fabrics, although cotton is the most common. Other choices include silk, gauzes, and linen, and most are embroidered around the neckline and cuffs, although more fancy salwar kameez are abundantly decorated with embroidery and patterned fabrics. Men wear a salwar kameez plain, while women often throw a shawl or dupatta over their heads and necks for modesty.
