Costumes of Maharashtra
As Maharashtra is a vast state, the people of this colourful state wears different types of costumes, take different cuisines, has different forms of dances and music according to the physical features of their locality. Generally, men wear dhoti and pheta in olden days, while women wear choli and saree. But with the change of time, young Maharashtrians too are fast attracting to the latest fashions imported from the western countries.
The mouth watering Konkan and Varadi cuisines would kill any visitor's appetite. Although, Maharashtrian cuisines are a bit strong in pepper and spice, but it is the speciality of the dishes of this state that world knows about. And everybody knows about the unbeatable taste of the Mumbai chaats.
The dance forms like Povada, Lavani and Koli with mesmerizing music and rhythmic movements entertain the Maharashtrians. Dhangri Gaja, Dindi, Kala and Tamasha are the folk dances that attach to the heart of the people of this state.
The mouth watering Konkan and Varadi cuisines would kill any visitor's appetite. Although, Maharashtrian cuisines are a bit strong in pepper and spice, but it is the speciality of the dishes of this state that world knows about. And everybody knows about the unbeatable taste of the Mumbai chaats.
The dance forms like Povada, Lavani and Koli with mesmerizing music and rhythmic movements entertain the Maharashtrians. Dhangri Gaja, Dindi, Kala and Tamasha are the folk dances that attach to the heart of the people of this state.
Foot Wear of Maharashtra
In past days, generally people of wheat and cotton growing areas wear shoes, but were less common in the rice growing areas. Women go bare-footed, but sometimes have sandals in the past days. Boots and shoes in the European fashion are popular since British days in towns and cities, but their use is still confined to small number of rich persons, pleaders, young merchants etc.
For the use of the common people, sandals and chappals of various patterns are the most common one in the state. Kolhapuri chappals, which are made in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra and its surrounding towns and villages, are famous worldwide.
Costumes Worn on Festive Occasions
There is no special dress for any special holidays, celebrations or family get-togethers in Maharashtra. One can wear anything, which they afford to, and it depends on their choice and financial conditions. But generally, for ceremonial occasions men prefer to dress the spacious looking Indian style long coat, called ackan, and chudidar pyjama or survar. It is slightly gathered at the ankles-end with bracelet-like horizontal folds. A folded woolen or a silk cap and cadhav or pump-shoes perfects the ensemble.
Women generally costly sarees like benaras brocade, chanderi, kanjeevaram and surat silka.
Jewellery
As Maharashtra is the land of Marathas and Peshwas, women wear traditional jewelleries derived from these two dynasties. Another very much popular jewellery for the Marathi women is Kolhapuri saaj, a special type of necklace. It is designed in other parts of Maharashtra as well, but Kolhapuri saaj is the most famous one. Different types of bangles like Patlya, Bangdya and Tode are the typical jewellery on the hands of women in Maharashtra. Maharashtrians fond of pearls are vivid in their Chinchpet (choker), Tanmani (short necklace) and Nath (nose ring). The Bajuband (the amulet) is also a favourite. Earrings with flower-shaped are a popular as well.
Men Wear
Men wear dhoti with a shirt known as the pheta in Maharashtra. They also wear headdress, which is a folded cap of made of cotton, silk or woolen cloth. It can also be a freshly folded turban known as rumal, patka, phet. Pagadi, the prepared form of turban was also used to wear, but it is rarely used this days. Bandi, a type of waistcoat or jacket is also worn over the shirt. Dhoti is made of cotton cloth, which is nearly two and half to three meters long, with or without borders on both the sides. A type of dhoti, which has five tucks, three into the waistband at the two sides and in front, while the loose end is tucked in front and behind is very popular amongst the Maratha Brahmans. For durable hand-made dhotis, Nagpur-made are most popular.
But these are the traditional clothing, which were popular up to three decades back. Now the younger generations wear the latest fashion wears of any kind.
Women Wear
Women in Maharashtra wear saree, which is nine yards in length and a short-sleeved blouse, which is also known as choli. The choli covers about only the half part of the torso. Generally, this is the costume of elderly Marathi women. Saree is known as lugade in Marathi. Its width is nearly 42 to 45 inches having two lengthwise borders kant or kinar, and also two breadth-wise borders, padar, at the two ends, of which one is more decorated than the other.
Now, with the coming of new fashion, sarees of five or six yards in length have now become fashionable among young ladies in the urban areas. These are worn cylindrically over a parkar or ghagara, also called petticoat. The design of choli has also changed, and using of designer blouses, polkas, and jumpers are popular.
With the impact of Bollywood and fast emerging trend of world fashion, women living in cities have become more westernized. Working women wear chudidars, pants, and skirts these days, which are more comfortable.
