Chhattisgarh, the tenth largest state in India, is home to a wide variety of peoples and cultures. Some of the region’s most appealing characteristics include the extensive forest cover and unusual topography.
However, the presence of numerous tribal & ethnic groups, each with its own innovative approach to textiles and clothing, greatly enriches Chhattisgarh’s cultural legacy.
You’ll notice that these individuals love bright colors, and it shows in their costumes and other forms of dress. Women in their villages wear bright sarees decorated with traditional jewelry. These decorations are cast in bronze.
The handiwork from this state is likewise highly regarded. Kosa silk & lost wax art are uniquely Kosa state products.
Let’s find more about Traditional Dress of Chhattisgarh of both men and women.
Traditional Dress of Chhattisgarh for men
Most residents of this state are of tribal caste and so choose to wrap a cloth around their midsection. Dhotis and kurtas are common attire for men. It’s not uncommon to see males dressed casually in pajamas or kurtas. Men traditionally dance with feathers on the hands during celebrations of all kinds.
Men within the tribe often accessorize with bangles and earrings. The silver and bronze jewelry they wear is exquisite. The guys in attendance at any puja shall be draped in white fabric. Cotton is used in its construction. Men of the Halba, Ghotul, & Muria tribes traditionally dress in dhotis & headgears.
Traditional Dress of Chhattisgarh for women
Traditional Chhattisgarhi dress for women includes the ‘Lugda’ (sari) & ‘Polkha’ (blouse), as well as a variety of beautiful accessories.
Women in Chhattisgarh often don brightly colored sarees and other traditional garments. The standard dress length for ladies in this state is just below the knee. These fashions are worn by them as well. Linen and silk make up the bulk of the fabric. Batik, a type of tie-and-dye fabric, is commonly seen on ladies. Many locals, including women, engage in this trade.
These items were distributed all around India. The production of such garments is very popular among many city dwellers. One of the state’s most famous exports is Maheshwari silk. Silk sarees are a popular choice among female fashionistas. They come in a rainbow of hues.
Traditional sarees are worn by ladies during celebrations and weddings in this area. They also enjoy wearing lehengas at weddings. The fabric used to make the Lehengas is silk. The embroidery gives them a one-of-a-kind style.
The majority of their jewelry is silver and bronze. During the wedding rites, they don the Kadhah. Women, however, often accessorize with many different kinds of jewelry. Their ornaments have deep symbolic meaning.
Accessories
The women of Chhattisgarh are well-known for the elaborate jewelry and adornments they wear. They consider themselves insufficiently dressed without it. Baandha, a necklace style typically fashioned from coins, is a popular form of adornment. The following traditional ornaments are worn by the women:
- Sterling silver’suta’ necklaces, a ‘phuli’ nose ring, and ‘bali’ and ‘khuntis’ studs
- Along with Patta, silver Ainthi is commonly worn on the forearm.
- Choora (bracelets) and Kardhani (a belt-like accessory made of silver) are common forms of adornment for women’s waists.
- Pounchhi is an upper-arm ring.
- Bichhiya is a toe ring traditionally worn by married women as a sign of commitment.
Men are just as fascinated by jewelry and other adornments as women are when it comes to dressing up and accessorizing their outfits. During traditional rites and festivals, the men don the Koundhi, a beaded necklace, and the Kadhah, a bracelet. These trinkets and jewelry are important symbols of their heritage and way of life.
Innovation in traditional dress of Chhatisgarh
Chhattisgarh’s indigenous garments are what give the residents of this region their own distinct look and feel. The women enjoy getting dressed up and showing off their traditional and contemporary tribal designs.
Traditional clothing and culture are more appealing since there is a sense of homogeneity despite the variance in how these women & men wear their clothes.
Chhattisgarh’s men and women have taken their ancient garments and updated them with today’s standards of style. Younger generations of tribal women are donning the traditional Kachhora-style sari.
Fabrics that are more convenient to work with and require less upkeep are being used for the printing. These days, you can find batik on everything from shirts to salwar kameez to a wide range of other contemporary garments.
Conclusion
The indigenous clothing is a big draw for fashion designers and tourists alike. Fabric design is currently widely practiced. The state’s signature batik textile is a popular inspiration for fashion designers.
Batik is a characteristic of the fashion business, and so are the brilliant and vibrant combinations of colors with tribal motifs. Turbans, originally worn only by members of the Chattisgarh tribes, have now been appropriated by designers all over the world.