Tell us about our costumes :
Introduction
One of the most industrialized states of India, Gujarat derives its name from
Gujaratta, meaning the land of the Gurjars. It is located on the western part of the
Indian subcontinent and has an international boundary with Pakistan. The state of
Gujarat is rich in culture, history and crafts.
Dresses of Gujarat
The major features of the Gujarati dressing style are as follows:
 The traditional attire of the female Gujaratis has been Kurta also known as
Zabho and Pajamas called Lehengas.
 With the advent of westernized culture in the state, Gujarati women wear
Kameez at home and Saris outside, worn in the traditional Gujarati style.
 Gujarati ladies often carry a bunch of keys along with their Saris. The key
holders are usually made of silver.
 The jewelries of the ladies include Mangal Sutra, Bangles, Necklaces,
earrings and nose rings.
 Gujarati males often wear a gold ring and chain.
 The ladies sport a Bindi, which is a round shaped mark on the forehead made
with red powder or Sindoor. They often wear stickers instead of red powder
nowadays.
Ethnic Wear of Gujarat
The ethnic Gujarati attires are vivid in style and brightly colored. The different
communities sport a different style of dressing such as the Garacia Jat women wear
red or black colored chunnis, while the Rabari women wear black open blouses, also
known as Odhnis or Cholis. Mirror and embroidery work is an integral aspect of
Gujarati handicrafts.
Costumes of Men
The traditional attire of Gujarati men are Dhoti, Long and Short coat as well as
turban cap. However, in recent times pants and shirts are becoming more popular. In
the rural areas, the common dresses worn are as follows:
 Chornos- Cotton drawers
 Kediyu or Angarakhu- Covering the upper part of the body
 Phento- A type of turban
 Dhoti- Waistcloth
 Kafani or Peharan- Shirt
Costume of Women
 The traditional attire of Gujarati women is Lehenga Choli or Ghagra Choli,
which is supplemented by Odhni or Dupatta. The main attire of the village
women are as follows:
 Chaniyo- Colored petticoat embellished with abhala or glass pieces
 Choli or Polku- Embroidered blouse
 Odhani- A piece of coarse cloth, which is used for covering the head
ABHAS - Traditional Costume Of Kutch Region
The Kutch region of Gujarat is especially popular for the Abha or Kanjari. Abha is
essentially the typical choli worn by the Gujarati village women folk. Kanjari is a long
beautifully embroidered blouse, with mirror work embellished upon it. The men of the
Kutch region wear loose trousers, short coat, long sleeved under-jackets and plain
silk clothes. The Abha dressing style has been popularized in the mainstream
population by the likes of Anjali Mangaldas.
Ras And Garba Costumes
The Ras dance is performed to reenact or perform the Ras Leela or the divine trance
dance by Lord Krishna, performed by him at Gokul and Vrindavan. The costumes
worn by the folks on this occasion are as follows:
 Keviya- A small coat with tight sleeves, pleated frills and embroidered borders
 Kamarbandha- Colored Waistbands
 Churidars- Tight trousers
Textiles Of Gujarat
Patola
The Silk Patola craft, originated in the 7th Century A.D, in the southern region of
India. Later Kumarpal, the Solanki ruler, brought 700 weavers to Patan and let them
settle on the banks of River Saraswati. Under the patronage of Kumarpal, the Patola
craft reached its zenith. Patan and Baroda are still the major hubs of this craft.
Patola involves a double-ikat technique, which usually takes a period of 5-6 months.
Immense coordination and visualization skills are deployed to achieve the finesse.
Floral, geometrical and figurative patterns are used to make Patola products. At a
certain period of time, the products were exclusively exported to Indonesia, where it
was believed to possess healing properties and bring welfare to the clan. It was also
kept as a prized possession by the admiring royalty.
Bandhej
Bandhej or Bandhani style is very popular throughout India. The Khatri community of
the Kutch region specializes in the craft for many generations. The craft is also
practiced in the Jamnagar and Surendranagar districts of the state. Bandhani
employs the tie and dye method, wherein the cloth material is tied at a few places
and immersed in different colored dyes to get patches or designs, resembling mirror
images. Various themes and patterns are also incorporated into the design scheme
of the Saris.
Embroidery
Embroidery was once the side occupation of the wives of nomads, herdsmen and
agriculturists. The craft is extremely popular among the different communities of the
region. The Ahir, Jats, Mukka, Mutwa and Sodha Rajputs are engaged in this craft.
The most popular embroidery styles are Rabari, Bavalia and Banni. Embroidery
using Gold Zari is also very popular across Gujarat. In this type of embroidery,
intricate designs are achieved using gold and silver threads.
Jewelry
Broach was a very important center for precious metals, stones and jewelry trade for
India. Owing to this, many carvers, artisans, stone cutters settled in and around
these trading hubs. Thus, jewelry making hubs are spread across the state of
Gujarat. Almost 80-90% of the diamonds of the world are cut in the cities of Surat,
Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and Navasari. The main jewelries worn by the Gujarati
women are bangles, earrings, Mangal Sutras, necklaces and rings. The age-old and
popular tribal jewelry craft of Pachchikam is slowly and steadily gaining popularity.
Mundra, Anjar, Bhuj, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Ahmedabad are the
main centers of silver jewelry making.