Vibrance, Artistry And Opulence Of The Traditional Bridal Costumes of India

Weddings are a great way to experience first hand, the culture, rituals and lifestyles of any community. A look at this elaborate event – and you can get a detailed view of the food, clothes, life, snapshots of people’s mindsets, behavior, rituals, gender equations, family hierarchy and more.

The Indian bride usually wears a wedding sari or lehenga according to the region. In Indian culture wedding dress of a bride comes from groom’s side as a shagun.Red is considered to be the most auspicious colour among Hindus. While the saree is preferred as the bridal dress in South India, West, East India, traditional wear such as the mekhela sador is preferred in North-east India and brides of the North of India prefer Lehenga, Gagra Choli and Odni as bridal dresses.

KASHMIR

Kashmiri brides complement their looks with weaved Shalwar Kameez, which are remarkably jazzy due its adorned work. Palav, Lhungi, Taranga, pheran are likewise famous because of its bewildered, dazzling weaved work and paint. Kashmiri brides dress themselves in colorful and glamorous variants of the Pheran. Pheran is heavily embedded salwar kameez of zari work mixed with traditional kashmiri thread work.

The bride completes her wedding look with Tarang, Kalpush, Zoojhis, Matching dupatta, and jewelry consists of heavy necklaces, bangles and payals and special ornament called Dejharoo – akin to a Mangalsutra in other Indian cultures.

PUNJAB

Punjabi Brides wear a Salwar Kameez, an extremely opulent pant suit, or lengha. Traditionally, paired with gold jewellery, however with changing times various styles of jewelleryry as been adapted. The bride wears white and dark red bangles made of ivory known as ‘Chooda’. They are usually in multiples of four and according to tradition the bride must wear it for at least a year after her marriage. In Punjabi styled suits, there is a lot of varieties. Right from Anarkalis to trending Shararas & Ghararas to simple ones with a statement dupatta.  Apart from the stylish suits, another silhouette that a bride can choose from is a simplistic lehenga. Chooda and Kaleeras are the real essentials of a Punjabi bride’s wedding day look.

MANIPURI

Manipuri wedding is a little different from other weddings. The outfit of a Manipuri bride is colorful and has a distinct style which is hard to find in any other community.

A traditional Manipuri bride dons a skirt called Raslila on her wedding occasion. The Chakmas brides also wear black and red sarong which is better known as pindhan in the local language. This entire outfit is teamed up with a blouse known as silum. The Magh brides from the Manipuri community don the thami sarong that covers almost the entire body and is coupled with a choli or a blouse which is full sleeved.

The traditional outfit of a Manipuri bride is teamed up with jewellery but the only difference you will find is that a Manipuri bride does not wear too much heavy jewellery. the bridal costume is accessorized with the basic ornaments such as bangles, nose rings, necklaces and earrings.

 

WEST BENGAL

Bengali weddings are celebrated in a significant way. The bride wears a Banarasi saree. It is usually red or green. She also wears a crown on their head like a king and a queen.

Most Bengali brides prefer to wear a red Banarasi saree embellished with gold details or embroidery to match the gold jewellery. The traditional Bengali bridal look comprises of a beautiful red Banarasi saree, alta or red water colour on the hands and feet, mathapatti, necklaces, mukut and red and white bangles with gold.

 

MAHARASHTRA

A beautiful yellow or green Paithani saree with a golden border, hair tied in a neat bun, decorated with pearl ornaments and Gajra – this perfectly describes the bridal costume.The Paithani saree originated in Paithan district of Maharashtra. The Paithani saree can

 either be woven in Kanjeevaram silk or even Benarasi silk. The typical choice of colours for the bride are green and yellow with a gold border. Most Paithani sarees have peacock and mango motifs of the Pallu and a square block design on the border. But again, this is not set in stone. Brides love experimenting with various patterns and the Paithani saree is so regal, that every design and motif looks great on it. Mundavalya is the red and white beaded string like an ornament that the bride and wears across their forehead during their wedding ceremony. Two beaded string also fall from the string on either side on the forehead. While Maharashtrian women wear a Mangalsutra too, this ornament called the Kolhapuri Saaz is an equally important part of their bridal attire.

 

GUJARAT

The ethnic wedding saree of a Gujarati bride is a vision in white and red. The Gujarati bridal saree is called as a Panetar. Despite new trends like bridal lehenga choli making inroads in a great way, many Gujarati families prefer that their girls wear the traditional cream/ white and red saree for, at least, the wedding rituals. Many brides also choose Panetar style wedding lehenga choli that is made in white/ cream and red colors.

Kundan necklace, heavy jadau earrings or jhukas, also known as ‘kan ni butti’ in Gujarati, rings, nathani or nose ring, armlets, hand ornaments, anklets, bangles, hair ornaments, maang tikka or the forehead jewelry and a kamarbandh – ornamental waist band – comprise the entire array of jewels the bride adorns herself with.

Gujrati Brides also wear fine Bandhani sarees during their wedding ceremonies. One such glorious Bandhani saree is called as Gharchola – which is traditionally made in the colors of red/ maroon and green with Bandhani work and metallic and thread embroidery.

 

TAMIL NADU

Tamilian brides dignify their wedding look with Kanchipuram Saree or Madurai Silk. A typical Tamil bride is usually seen wearing a Kanjeevaram Saree in hues of bright colors with contrasting borders that have gold threads woven into beautiful patterns. Tamil bride is adorned with gorgeous looking heavy gold jewelry, especially the ones that are mainly family treasures that are being passed on from one generation to the next. A few prominent jewelry pieces that adorn a Tamil bride are Metti (Toe Ring), Kolusu (Anklet), Oddiyanam (HipBelt), Vanki (Armlets), Maanga Malai (Mango shaped necklace), Nose Ring or Nose Stud, Earrings, Thalaisamaan (on forehead), Jadanagam (decorating braid). Kanjeevaram Silk Saree along with all these ornaments put together completes the looks of a Tamil bride and sets her to mesmerize all with her beauty and elegance. No Tamil marriage is complete without wearing the famine flowers on the women’s head.

 

KERALA

The Malayali bride wears a white saree with a golden border known as ‘kasavu saree.’White and red is one colour combination that can never go out of style, and it has always been a pretty loved one too. The Kerala bride just brought out another dimension of sorts when it comes to the classic red and white combo. She has started pairing her traditional white and gold saree with a shiny red silk blouse, layered gold jewellery and lots of flowers in her hair and we were left speechless. White and red never looked this stunning before. Her minimal jewellery and makeup, matching bangles and that oh-so-pretty Kamar Bandh are enough to make her look like a perfect Kerala bride.

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