.jpg)
Thedupattā, also calledchunni,chunari,chundari,lugda,rao/rawo, gandhi, pothi,orna, andodhni is a longshawl-like scarf traditionally worn by women in theIndian subcontinent.[1] Traditionally, in India, the dupatta is part of the women'slehenga or ghagra/chaniya choli. A lehenga is a three-piece outfit which is made up of a skirt, called a ghagra or chaniya; a blouse, called a choli, and a dupatta. The dupatta is worn over one shoulder, and traditionally, married women would also wear the dupatta over the head in temples or in front of elders.
The dupatta is also worn as part of theshalwar kameez which is worn by women in India, Pakistan & Bangladesh, particularly in parts of northern India andDeccan region. ThePunjabi suit is worn in Punjab and Pakistan, it is another three piece outfit made up of trousers, called pyjama or salwar; a top, called a kurta or kameez, and the dupatta.
TheHindi worddupattā (दुपट्टा),[2] meaning "shawl of doubled cloth," stemming fromSanskrit, is a combination ofdu- (meaning "two", from Sanskritdvau, "two", anddvi-, combining form ofdvau) andpaṭṭā (meaning "strip of cloth," frompaṭṭaḥ),[3] i. e., stole.
EarlySanskrit literature has a wide vocabulary of terms for theveils and scarfs used by women during the ancient period, such asavagunthana (cloak-veil),uttariya (shoulder-veil),mukha-pata (face-veil), andsiro-vastra (head-veil).[4] The dupatta is believed to have evolved from the ancientuttariya.[5][6][7]
.jpg)
The dupatta is worn in many regional styles across South Asia. There is no single way of wearing the dupatta, and as time evolves and fashion modernizes, the style of the dupatta has also evolved.
A dupatta is traditionally worn over the left shoulder in India, and tucked in to a skirt on the opposite side. However, the dupatta can be free hanging over the shoulder, or, across the neck and behind both shoulders. A modern variation is to allow the length of the dupatta to drape elegantly around the waist and through the arms at the front. The material for the dupatta varies, but it is normally light and long, allowing for flow and variation.
When the dupatta is worn with theshalwar kameez, it covers the chest, creating a U or V shape.[citation needed] In addition to wearing the dupatta when going out in public, South Asian women wear the dupatta as a veil when entering amandir,church,gurdwara.[9][10][11] In the context of theCOVID-19 pandemic, it was not considered proper for use as a cloth face mask as it is a religious cloth.[12]
A dupatta used as a covering for the head and face is called aghoonghat. It was customary for new brides to wear a ghoonghat to protect them from the evil eye. In Nepal a dupatta or similar shawl is called apachaura.[13]
Since dupattas are worn across theIndian subcontinent, and are part of modest dress worn by women irrespective of religion or culture; they appear in diverse forms, many of which are characteristic of regions of the subcontinent.[14] Phulkari dupattas, which originate from Punjab, display intricate floral patterns, while Bandhani dupattas (or Bandhej dupattas), originating fromGujarat andRajasthan, feature tie-dye patterns. Dupattas can also be made fromvelvet orsilk, or printed with modern designs; Banarasi silk dupattas, native toVaranasi, are adorned withzaribrocade work and traditionalmotifs.
Sikh women traditionally wore the dupatta/chunni instead of aturban.[15][16][17] However, some young, diasporic Sikh women have forgone wearing the dupatta andadopted the turban to emulate Sikh men.[18][17]
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Dupatta: A long scarf that is loosely draped over the head and shoulders, commonly worn in South Asia.
Dupatta is also used by some women when entering a mosque, dargah, church, gurdwara or mandir, it is the habit in the Indian subcontinent for women to cover their head with a dupatta.
Colourful dupattas and salwar kameez are very common among both the Muslim and non-Muslim women of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Media related toDupatta at Wikimedia Commons