I never even realised where the whole of 2016 went, and we are already jumping into the Wedding Season. The time of having/attending an exhausting number of events, with sleep deprivation and too many people – it might sound awful but it is genuinely the best time you can ever have. There is a reason why Indian Weddings are considered to be the most happening and extravagant weddings out of the whole lot. The vibrant colours and lights, hundreds of people, many Indian rituals – Indian weddings are like a festival of its own sort. For my friend’s wedding this December, we decided to go back to our Indian roots by picking up Traditional Wedding Clothing. And so, we set out on our search for the perfect wedding traditional outfit for the bride or the bridesmaids.
Here is a list of marvellous art forms which have been living through centuries in India, and are perfect for the ideal Traditional Wedding Clothing.
Bhagalpuri
Also known as the queen of fabrics, Bhagalpuri got its name from the town of Bhagalpur which is located on the banks of Ganga in Bihar. Around 200 years back, this town was flooded with extremely skilled weavers, who weave a special kind of silk called the ‘Bhagalpuri Silk’ (Also known as Tussar). The town of Bhagalpur used to be one of the most famous trade centres of the East India Company, because of which it was also known as the ‘silk route’. Bhagalpuri silk is produced from the larvae of several species of the silkworm and is a very old and beautiful art form. Read more about it here. Bhagalpuri Saree’s can be considered to be ideal traditional wedding clothing and is gaining more popularity nowadays.
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Chanderi
Chanderi originated back in the Vedic period from a town called Chanderi, located in Madhya Pradesh. The evolution of Chanderi began in 1890, and now Chanderi produces 3 types of fabrics, namely – Chanderi Silk, Chanderi Cotton, and a blend of Silk Cotton. The Chanderi fabric is known for its transparency and sheer texture, as it is lightweight and has the most intricate designs. For me, this is ideal for Traditional Wedding Clothing and adds a dash of class to your outfits. You can read more about it here.
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Bagru Print
Bagru Print is a form of hand-block printing which got its name from a small village near Jaipur, called Bagru. It is believed to be one of the oldest block printing techniques in India and is known to have started around 450 years back. It is said to be among the most eco-friendly fabrics, as it is made using traditional vegetable dyes (more often indigo). In today’s time, it has gained popularity all over the world, and now you can find Bagru printed kurti’s, skirts, pants, as well as home decor products – bedsheets. Not as flashy as normal traditional wedding clothing, Bagru Print (also known as Dabu Print) is known for its subtlety and is perfect for all the tiny events at any wedding. You can read more about Bagru Print here.
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Phulkari
Phulkari is an art form from the heart of Punjab, and its literal meaning is ‘Flower Work’. It’s spun from the charkha, and the Phulkari style of embroidery is patterned on odinis, shawls, kurti’s and chunris. Originating from Punjab in the 15th century, Phulkari is an embroidery of floral motifs in vibrant colours. It has a special connection with Traditional Wedding Clothing, as the ‘Chope and Subar’ for the bride is a legacy which is passed down from the grandmother to the bride to be. Chope is a fabric which is embroidered only on the borders, and this can be used as a veil for the bride in India. You can know more about Phulkari here.
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This wedding season, why not try something that brings you a little close to your desi-ness. Try something new. Be different. Be unique. Try Kraftly – Uniquely Yours!
