 Costumes of Uttarakhand reflect the culture and lifestyle of the ethnic communities, the Garhwalis and the Kumaoni. The graceful Uttarakhand is adjacent to the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Side by side, many Punjabis, Bengalis, and even Nepalis, from neighbouring Tibet, have settled in the state. The Garhwals residing in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand follow a costume-pattern suitable to the climatic conditions of the place they belong to. Wool fetched from goat or sheep is used to manufacture warm costumes, so as to ward off the biting cold in winter season.
Women's costume of Uttarakhand Ghagri, an oriental long skirt, topped off by a Choli, an Indian blouse and an Orni, a cloth covering the head and the front portion, usually fastened to the waist, happen to be the traditional costume of the women of Uttarakhand, namely, the Garhwalis and the Kumaonis. The traditional bridal costume of the Kumaoni is Ghaghra-Pichora, akin to Ghaghra Lehenga- Choli. Pichora is a Kumaoni veil or Rangwali, endowed with gold and silver tatting. But women also go for sarees. The hallmarks of Kumaoni woman are sindoor smeared on the forehead, and an enormous gold ring, called Nath. Further, Chareu, a black beaded necklace is worn by the married woman, is a holy accessory for Garhwali married woman. A luxury ornament item is Hansuli, a kind of necklace, preferred in gold by the rich, and in silver, by the less affluent, or poor. Some of the ethnic groups, drape themselves in mantle-like clothing, called Sarong, girdled by a waistband and completed with a top-blouse. Muslin textiles, specially muslin veils or Rangwalis are assets of Uttarakhand costume designing. They come in auspicious hues of yellow, signifying warmth and cordiality and red, symbolic of the holy bond of marriage. Men's costume of Uttarakhand The traditional male costume of Uttarakhand is the loin-cloth Dhoti, or the Lungi, used as the lower-garment. The Uttarakhand man dons himself in Kurta, to serve as the upper-attire. The men love to present themselves with headgear, or turban, a part of their traditional costume. Kurta -Pajamas are another good alternative for men of Uttarakhand. Both women and men wear sweaters or woollen jackets in winter, mainly sleeveless in form. In towns and cities like Dehradun, Rishikesh dresses are worn due to the influence of western culture. Males who return from the plains bring the tradition of wearing well tailored dresses. Ethnicity and tradition are very beautifully blended in the dressing sense of Uttarakhand. (Last Updated on : 02-07-2011) |
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