Ascribe it to the cooler climate accompanying colourful festivals universally celebrated post-summer and rains and the‘Big Fat Indian Marriage’ season, the traditional male Indian dress in celebratory modes makes a huge comeback, much like our batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer did in this edition of the on-going World Cup ! This doesn’t refer to leaders (barring a few) always garbed in pyjama-kurta-jacket, mostly in white.
Without making a pitch to friends to switch over to ‘desi’ dressing at all times and put aside their jeans and tees, it’s remarkable that a resplendent, bright kurta worn well gives quite a regal lookbesides being a comfortable attire. There’s been a not so silent revolution from the way the old-world pyjama-kurta was worn by our ancestors. I don’t recall my Dad ever adorning muti-coloured, striped and psychedelic kurtas though he was a natty dresser in his hey days. They weregenerally white or in soft pastel shades.
Even with limited knowledge of ‘couture’ and understanding of the latest trends, one can notice the expansive variety and designs that ‘kurtas’ have attained (and my piece will not include the ‘shaadi-wale’ groom’s wear that designer create for rich & famous). In my hometown Lucknow, famous ‘Chikan’ kurtas have evolved into exotic designs, with collar and without, full and short sleeves, embroidery work all over or plain etc. Needless to say we often use them since they are best suited to the North Indian heat.
That apart, kurtas for men come in different fabrics &textures, from reasonably priced to outrageous enough to stagger middle class folks yet there’s enough that’s affordable. I’ve understood from the fashion conscious that a ‘long kurta’ for men is a good option that goes well with jeans but the kurta has to be a bit below the knees. However, for the sporty look is the printed short kurta while mandarin collar solid kurtas are classy.Minor accidents happen ! Recently I’d been gifted a nice ‘very’ long kurta which for right fitting, my tailor so badly chopped off, it became a ‘short’ kurta to my chagrin !
The popularity of Indian styled dresses, cuisine and ethnicity continues to charm the world with the Indian diaspora dictating some of the fashion trends across continents. Cricket and IPL festival has further contributed to all the foreign players, teams and their coaches bonding with floral designer Indian ‘kurtas’, curries and food flavours and warm hospitality extended. Some like Maxwell have found life partners here ! As the saying goes ‘you are only as good as the people you dress’. It’s cool to look Indian !
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