Are you curious about the Traditional Dresses of Maharashtra a state in western India, boasts a rich cultural heritage, and its traditional dress is an essential part of it. The traditional dress for men and women in Maharashtra is diverse and reflects the state’s cultural diversity. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to Maharashtra’s traditional dress, including its names, styles, cultural significance, fabrics, colors, accessories, and contemporary adaptations.
| Dress Name | Style | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Dhoti | Rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs | A symbol of respect and dignity |
| Kurta | Long shirt that goes up to the knees | Popular garment in ancient India |
| Pheta | Turban worn on the head | Signifies status and prestige |
| Saree | Long piece of cloth draped around the body | Symbol of grace and elegance |
| Choli | Blouse worn with the saree | Popular garment in ancient India |
| Ghagra | Long skirt worn under the saree | Symbol of beauty and femininity |
| Mundu | Rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs | Can be worn by both men and women |
| Angarkha | Long shirt tied at the waist, worn with a dhoti or mundu | Can be worn by both men and women |
Maharashtra traditional dress is an essential part of the state’s cultural heritage and identity. It represents its rich cultural diversity through vibrant colors, intricate designs, and exquisite fabrics. Maharashtra’s traditional dress for men and women is diverse and has its unique style and cultural significance.
Maharashtrian Attire For Men
Dhoti
The men in Maharashtra usually we a dhoti. A dhoti is a single piece of cloth that is tuck around one’s waist, and it covers the entire leg till the ankle. Dhoti are secur by making five tucks on each side, and then the loose ends are put in at the back. Dhotis usually saffron or cream or white in colour. Dhotis an unstitched piece of clothing that do not require any proper measurements as one could make it however tight or loose they wished it to be.
Maharashtrians usually have the same style for everything – work or celebration. Therefore their clothes were made comfortable. Nagpur, a city in Maharashtra, is famous for its dhotis.
Pehta
Pehta is the headdress Marathi men wear. It is a ‘topi’, or a head cover usually made up of cotton. Pehta, also know as pagris are small hats that are made to cover the heads so as to protect them from the direct sun rays falling on their heads. Travellers and people working outside, under the sun especially wear this. By preventing the direct sun rays, the individual does not feel drained or tired too quickly or easily.
Kurta / Shirt
Maharashtrian men usually wear cotton tops or Kurtas above their dhoti. The tops are made up of cotton so as to able the garment to absorb sweat since Maharashtra has a warm to a hot environment. These tops are thin and loose, generally white in colour.
Waistcoat
The Maharashtrian men occasionally wear waistcoat called Bandi. Bandi is a sleeveless jacket or coat. They are wor above their shirts. Bandi made the Maharashtrian attire look more formal and proper. Bandis are more pragmatic keeping in mind the climate of Maharashtra which did not allow men to wear normal coats or overcoats due to the excessive warmth.
Footwear
The men usually wear simple but sturdy footwear. Their footwears are open sandals making it comfortable for them to wear. The sandal are strong and are made up of leather.
Maharashtrian Attire for Women
Sarees
Women wear sarees that are 9 yards long. The saree is tuck in the middle giving it a similar look to the dhoti. The rest of the saree is wrapp around the upper body of the women. This type of saree is usually call Lugade. There were many variations in how women wear their saree. Some only wear knee length sarees. Some wear it in a skirt manner without the tuck in the middle. But the 9-yard saree is the traditional costume of women in Maharashtra.
Choli
The Maharashtrian women wear choli or blouse underneath the saree. It is the ‘top’ or shirt that they wear to cover their upper body. The choli covers half of the torso. the blouses are short, or half sleeved. That have hooks in the front making it easier for the women to wear them. Similar to men clothing, women clothing is also made up of cotton and sometime of silk. The commonly found colours in Maharashtrian sarees are green and red and sometimes even Kesari (yellow) colour.
Jewellery
Women wear nath i.e. a nose piercing. Naths can be simple loops or loops connected with the earring on any one side. They are normally made up of gold. Women are also found wearing other gold jewellery like earring and necklace (haar) with different colour stones. Married women wear mangal sutra and also green bangles. The bride wears green bangle as they are said to bring prosperity to the relationship and family. Some women even wear toe rings on their second toe of both of their feet (as the second toe is said to have a nerve that is connect to the uterus and elements from the ring are said to make the uterus strong).
Footwear
Women traditionally preferred to go barefoot and found it only natural to do so while on occasion would wear sandals. The footwear in Maharashtra is famous for its durability and longevity.
The Kolhapuri chappals are open-to sandals in a t-strap shape. That are handmade by the Maharashtrian from leather and are tann using vegetable dyes. Kolhapuri chappal originat in the Kolhapur District of Maharashtra and are worldly know for its strength and endurance. Maharashtrians seem to have the same style of attire for everything they do – whether it is resting or attending a wedding or travelling. The only thing that differs is the material. Cotton is use for making attires for all occasions and is cheap whereas silk is relatively expensive and use for making garments for weddings, festivals and other such events.
Now due to urbanisation, a majority of Maharashtrians have adapted to the western style of clothing and even a merger of the Indian and western style (kurta and pants). But the elderly still prefer to wear this traditional style as they feel comfortable in it.
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Conclusion
Maharashtra traditional dress is a vital part of the state’s cultural identity and heritage. The names, styles, and accessories of Maharashtra traditional dress for men and women are diverse and reflect the state’s cultural diversity. It is important to preserve and embrace Maharashtra traditional dress, as it is a symbol of the state’s rich culture and heritage. We hope this comprehensive guide to Maharashtra traditional dress has inspired you to embrace and celebrate this beautiful cultural tradition.
