Thursday 5 June 2014

Costumes of Punjab – Epitome of culture and tradition



Punjab is one of the most colourful states of the country with its rich culture and tradition. One look at the traditional dresses of Punjab is enough to understand about the vibrant nature of the people of that state. Their folk music and dance have gained immense popularity and are a huge hit even in the foreign countries. Due to the huge number of natives from Punjab being settled abroad, Punjabi culture and tradition are greatly appreciated across the world.


As we walk around the streets of Punjab, the dazzling colours and attractive fabric of the costumes of Punjab do not fail to catch our eyes. These costumes are full of colour and represent the true flavour of the state. The Patiala salwar, which we all love to wear today, is one of the traditional dresses of Punjab. Women of the state wear this dress along with the Punjabi suit. Most of the Punjabi women also wear the Punjabi Ghagra. This Ghagra was mostly made from muslin and contained lots of embroidery work on them. We can find many elderly women in Punjab wearing the Ghagra every day. This is probably one of the oldest and richest costumes of Punjabi women. Women wore this dress over their salwar suits or Kurta during the olden days. The Ghagra has lost its flavour among the younger women today; however as per the Punjabi customs, it is mandatory to wear this dress during important festivals, marriages or funerals.
Another kind of dress that attracts our eyes when we go to Punjab is the Phulkari. This is a cloth that is dominated by excellent flower work and is used to cover the heads. This is one of the most worn costumes of Punjab, especially in the rural areas. The contrasting and bright colours of the Kurta, salwar and the Phulkari are pleasant sights to watch and merge well with the loud folk music and culture of the state of Punjab.

Our Indian culture has attractive costumes for the menfolk as well. Punjab is no exception to this rule. Punjabi Kurta and Tehmat are the traditional dresses of Punjab for the men folk. The Kurta is a long dress that runs till the knees. This is followed by a matching pyjama that is either worn in matching or contrasting colours. Sikhism is the most-followed religion in Punjab and the Sikh men are recognised by their turbans. Most of the Punjabi men do not cut their hair and tie it around in colourful turbans. The men wear turbans that match the colour of their shirts, ties or Kurtas. It would not be wrong to say that the brilliant and lively costumes of Punjab add more colour to the state.


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