History and Evolution of Men’s Kurta Pyjama

If one has ever wondered how the men’s kurta pyjama came to be as popular as it is today, this article should prove provide some answers on the history and evolution of this garment.

While the origins of the kurta pyjama for men is hard to figure out as most medieval garment were often button less shirts and tunics like the kurta however the word kurta itself is etymological value. The word kurta is borrowed from Sanskrit "Kuratu" or Persian "Kurtaka" which in itself can be confusing as one tends to wonder if this Indian ethnic garment is of Persian origin however no historical records point out to the origins of the kurta. The word kurta first began to be used 20th Century which is long after Indians had adopted this garment as a form of ethnic wear for men all over the country. Today the kurta is widely worn all over India however this garments history makes it clear that the garment was already popular when India did not have a national identity but instead was a collection of principalities before and during British rule. Since then the kurta has evolved and has been reinvented numerous times, read further to know more.

Widespread Acceptance

It is almost impossible to explain the widespread acceptance and popularity of the kurta pyjama however one can deduce that the kurta pyjama is perhaps an Aryan concept that was spread far and wide amongst Aryan settlers across the expanse of India. It is important to not her that in regions of North East India where the ethnic population is mainly of Mongolian ancestry, the kurta pyjama has no importance as a traditional dress form. It is also important to note that in the Dravidian south India, the kurta pyjama for men has no significance as a dress form. Having made that point, it is important to note that the kurta pyjama is worn now by people all over the country.

Evolution and Variations of the Kurta

It difficult to point out to the original form of this garment however the kurta has greatly evolved and been reinvented to suit contemporary tastes. This involves experimentation with fabrics as the kurta was limited to cotton and Khadi not so long back but now designers are experimenting with new age fabrics to give the kurta a new lease of life. The form and silhouette of the kurta has even been streamlined with a preference for slim fit ensembles in contrast to the baggy kurtas and loose fit pyjamas that were popular during the 90’s and before. Indian men have become more fitness conscious and cultivate a muscled and toned body image hence the kurta is now tailored to flatter the male form. However this mainly pertains to the contemporary kurta pyjama ensembles whilst traditional variations of the garment still continue to serve as cultural hallmarks. The Dogri kurta from Punjab, The Hyderabadi kurta and the Punjabi Pyjama from Bengal are great examples of the variations of the kurta pyjama for men

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