History of indian fashion

History of indian fashion

Through sharp analysis of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Hindi, as much as Arabic and Persian sources, they have brought within reach a rich body of material. The inherent difficulty in the matter of interpreting this material and relating it to surviving archaeological and visual evidence naturally leaves some matters obscure, and others open to controversy. But a very substantial body of information has been collected.

When the century dawned, fashion was an exclusive enterprise, the pursuit of the wealth. The lower tiers of the society settled for garments that were more often than not entirely family hand-made-downs or stitched at home. With time, however, networks of neighbourhood tailors began to evolve into a retail history and the boom followed by boutique selling. Today, garments are laser cut by computers and sourced from all over the world and can easily be bought sitting in the comfort of one's home via the internet

A question that needs to be disposed of rather early is whether, in the indigenous indian tradition, stitched garments were known or used at all. From time to time statements have been made that the art of sewing was unknown to the early Indians, and that it was an import from outside. Serious and early students of indian costumes, like Forbes Watson, have stated, mostly on the authority of other scholars, that the art of sewing came to India only with the coming of the Muslims. This statement needs no longer to be taken seriously.

It is possible that the view that "before the invasion of India by the mohammedans, the art of sewing was not practiced there" was formed not on the basis of any historical or scholarly inquiry into this matter but simply 'observation': Observation of the dresses of two different categories of people, those who were far more rooted in the indian soil and could thus be taken as representing the long indian tradition of wearing costumes in a particular fashion, and those who could be linked with outsiders' who came to India late, and visibly preferred different kinds of dresses.

The 'timeless' indian dress of men, thus, consists of garments that use no stitching, garments in other words that, as Forbes Watson says, "leave the loom, ready for wear". The dhoti, the scarf or uttariya, and the turban, which have never really disappeared from any part of India, belong to this category, and their marked visibility in India could have led one erroneously to conclude that the early Indians did not use any sewn garments.

Likewise, for women, the dhoti or the sari as the lower garments, combined with a stanapatta or breast band for covering the breasts, forms a basic ensemble, and once again consists of garments that do not have to be stitched, the breast-garment being simply fastened in a knot at the back. And the dhoti or the sari worn covering both legs at the same time or, in the alternative, with one end of It passed between the legs and tucked at the back in the fashion that is still prevalent in large area of India.

But the preference of indian men and women for these garments, rational and understandable in the context of the generally hot indian climate, does not afford any proof that for long periods of time the Indians knew no other garments than those which "left the loom, ready for wear". As it is indian fashion is extremely alive and whatever the decade or the century, it is here to stay. For not only it is comfortable, practical and aesthetically beautiful but has changed with time with the result that it has, in the past century, and will in the coming one, remain contemporary which is why the start of the new century tempts us to dream and remember the past.

Indian unity in diversity

Indian unity in diversity

India is a multiracial country. People of various faiths and religions live here in harmony. There are the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians, the Sikhs, the jains, the Buddhists, the parsis, the Jews, the zorastrians and others. The Hindus are in majority. The Muslims constitute the largest single minority community. This great pageantry of people and faiths is unique to India. Indian ethos reflects the continuity and tolerance-tolerance of faiths, religions, languages, dialects, ideas, lifestyles and cuisines. There are at times frictions, communal conflicts and tensions but they are exceptions and not the rule and just aberrations. These are the legacy of the British rule and raj.

The Englishmen followed the policy of 'divide and rule' and many politicians and leaders in India still follow and practice this policy to keep their vote banks intact. India is a secular country. There is no state religion. All faiths and religions are equal before law. No faith is considered superior or inferior and people are absolutely free to preach, follow and practice any faith till it does not interfere with the freedoms of other people. India has been a secular state and country from the time immemorial and peoples of many faiths and religions sought shelter here in times of persecution in their own lands and countries. The Christian church here is much older than the coming of Islam.

The parsis came here seeking refuge in the eighteenth century from religious persecution in Iran and brought zorastrianism. The Jews came quite early about 2,000 years ago and settled down chiefly in Bombay, puna, Cochin and Delhi. In Hinduism itself there are hundreds of sects following different religious practices, rites, rituals and ways of worship and prayer. This religious diversity represents a complete and wonderful pattern of unity, integrity and wholeness. Variety is the spice of life and it is there in abundance in India. The sub-continental size and long history have been instrumental for all this richness, variety and diversity which converge into one people and one nation. They look like the different colours of a rainbow which in ultimate analysis belong to one pure, white light.

In such a huge country differences of ideas, opinions, tastes, faiths, ways of living etc. are bound to be there and they reflect the country's democratic traditions, liberal attitudes, toleration and spirit of accommodation and adjustment. There is a basic cultural unity which runs through its mainstream. It is this variety, diversity, dynamism, and resilience which have lent indian culture and civilization a ceaseless continuity and unity. There have been in the world a few other cultures and civilizations as old as that of India but they lacked continuity and did not survive as did the indian culture. In indian culture there have been many currents, cross currents but they have been merged, synthesised and digested into one organic whole of indianness.

The unity of thoughts, outlook, ethos and culture has had always been there in spite of apparent variety and diversity. Diversity and variety are apparent and their unity and integration real and historical. Indian culture is a composite culture, a common inheritance of which all are equally and immensely proud in spite of religious, linguistic, regional or geographical variations. One may be a Hindu, Muslim or Sikh or Kashmiri, Bengali, Tamil or Telugu but above all these denominational variety, all are Indians.

Their indianness is the first and foremost characteristic. Unity never means regimentation, uniformity or monotonous similarity. Unity is basically a feeling, an emotion, a sense of belonging to one nation, one culture, one common historical past and heritage. And these are there in plenty throughout the country. India is not only geographically one and united but also emotionally and culturally so. The emotional integration and cultural unity of India is perfect and well established. The deep faith in values of life, moral teachings and practices, one common and rich heritage can always be found among all the citizens of India through all its expanse.

This similarity in outlook, thoughts and ethos make India a strong and enviable nation. It is this basic framework on which indian polity has been based. The loyalty, faith, devotion and patriotism of its millions and millions of people are unquestionable. Their unity, oneness and common brotherhood can be seen in hours of crises, in fairs, festivals and such other cultural occasions. Absorption, assimilation, tolerance, continuity, diversity, etc. have been the sterling qualities of indian culture. Veneration of other faiths, ideas, concepts and ways of life have been essential ingredients of indian civilization.

They very well account for its strength and unity. Wide and universal outlook are the hallmarks of indianness. They lend strength, integration and unity in a way that is matchless. These varieties, diversities and multiplicities are the archways through which the royal road of indianness passes leading one to national unity and emotional integrity.