Dupatta literally translates into 'shawl of doubled cloth', which is a combination of two Sanskrit words, i.e. du means two and patta means strip of cloth. Traditionally dupatta, which is known by various other names - chunni, chunri or ordni, was worn in the Indian subcontinent by women. It is a coloured fabric of rectangular shape often sewed with embroidery at the edges of the cloth. Dupatta is considered as a symbol of modesty and makes the overall look more appealing. Availability of dupatta in various textiles, hues and textures makes this gracious Indian garment a super versatile piece of clothing.
The history of dupatta can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilization where people used to cover their left shoulder with some sort of chaadar.
Dupatta has evolved from uttariya, a sanskrit word meaning shoulder veil.
Considering the myriad of dupatta varieties in the market, it is possible for everyone to find a piece having their personnel style. Initially the dupatta was limited to the tradition and culture of Indian families but soon it entered the fashion world and then Bollywood also helped in creating many varieties or styles of dupatta. Here, are some varieties of dupatta to know:
Banaras has always been famous for its finest sarees and dupattas in India. The soft and lustrous silk material is perfect for any occasion. The highlight of the banarasi dupatta is its zari work (gold and silver brocade). The method of textile production is also an important part of making the final product. This vibrant dupatta will make anyone gorgeous with its appeal. Banarasi dupatta is available in four different textures, namely Katan (pure silk), Organza/Kora (silk and zari blend), Georgette and Patola. 2.5 metres is the certified length of banarasi dupatta so if you are going to buy it online keep this thing in mind.
Born in Hyderabad, the Khara dupatta is considered to be a classic piece of material. Hyderabadi muslim brides wear this dupatta on their D-day. The dupatta which is usually six yards long is an example of class and elegance.
Phulkari dupatta originated from Punjab and simply means flower work. It involves intricate designs of flowers on silk, cotton or georgette fabric. The dupatta even comes with mirror work and other designs.
This dupatta is made from tie-dye technique. A bright colour or shade is given to the fabric and small dots of base colour appear in the fabric while dying. The threads are intricately pulled by the finest artisans. This is a fun piece to try. Gujarat and Rajasthan are famous for their Bandhej dupattas.
Chanderi dupatta is Madhya Pradesh's indeginuos craft. The name of this light weight dupatta is taken from a village named Chanderi located in Madhya Pradesh. This silk-cotton blend fabric is available in semi-sheer to soft-opaque varieties.
After being introduced to bridal wear by Sabyasachi Mukherji, the velvet dupatta became a hit. It adds a touch of glam and luxurious feel to your normal outfit. This dupatta is perfect for winter weddings due to its soft and warm material.
This dupatta represents a heritage of Indian folk painting of Madhubani, Bihar. You will be mesmerised with the intricate artwork detailing of the Madhubani dupatta. They usually have a subdued shine as the fabric used is silk.
Ikat dupatta is made through an ancient craft of resist dyed textile technique by artisans of Pochampally city of Telangana. The technique is a crossover between weaving and printing. It includes various geometric patterns in the dupatta. This dupatta can make any woman feel classy yet relaxed.
A decorative and light fabric having a slight shiny appearance is associated with grace and elegance. The chiffon dupatta is a bit rough to touch as it contains small puckers resulting from the weaving process. Traditionally chiffon had been made entirely from silk fabric which made them quite expensive. Nowadays, it is available in a variety of fabrics such as nylon, polyester and synthetic, the most popular being chiffon. It is great for casual outfits as well.
Andhra Pradesh has given this mesmerising artform to the world. Kalamkari dupatta is the result of hand painting on silk or cotton fabric with tamarind pens. The design specifically depicts the famous epics of Ramayana or Mahabharata. Now it includes other epics as well. The colours used to paint the fabric are usually earthy colours and are extracted from natural sources.
Zardozi work is a very precise work of sewing gold threads or strings into a fabric to create detailed motifs. As the making of zardozi needs great accuracy, tedious work and ample time, the dupatta becomes valuable and thereby costly. With the work of gold and silver the dupatta becomes heavy as well.
Georgette dupatta is comparatively heavier than chiffon dupatta. It has a characteristic crinkly surface and is overall a breathable material. Silk, rayon or polyester is used to make georgette.
Dupatta is a must have piece in your wardrobe and learning different styling tricks of dupatta becomes essential. You can glam up a boring look by wearing a dupatta along with it. Here are few styles which you can try to carry a dupatta:
One of the easiest ways to style a dupatta is a half pleated style. Place a pleated dupatta on one shoulder and let it dangle from the sides. You can even pin the dupatta without making pleats to get an effortless and chic look. You can try this style with a lehenga for an elegant look.
You can drape the dupatta in its original style in a suit or salwar kameez. Place the dupatta around the neck and let it fall from the back at equal length. You can style the dupatta in this way when you want to show off your blouse or suit having a heavy design. Do not forget to properly pleat the dupatta.
This is a trend that has gained momentum now. One dupatta is used as the pallu of saree and the other one is pinned behind the head. The end look is enchanting and appealing to anyone who looks at it.
This classic style of wearing dupatta will make the overall look sophisticated. If you have a dupatta with heavy work on it, it's important to flaunt those details. A net dupatta with work on the borders will not only look beautiful in this style but will not entirely shade away the blouse design as well.
This is an absolute formal look. The style will give you elegance and a chic look. Take the dupatta from behind and hold it around your arms..
This is a very posh look and will not take too much of your time. A simple pin on one shoulder will be enough to forget about any hassle.
The Indian dupatta is indeed full of styles and designs; and the type of fabric and embellishment will determine the kind of style you should try with it. You can even accessorise it with a belt to get a polished look or wear it on the head with a lehenga. Experimenting with dupatta will help you learn so many other variations to its styling.
