Salwar Kameez as The Personification of Indian Culture

The salwar kameez has now become ubiquitous across India and Pakistan. Also referred to as salwar suit or simply ‘the suit’, it has moved from being a garment popular in North India and Pakistan to being used throughout the country. Introduced to India by the Central Asian Muslim invaders (Mughals and others), it has become popular due to its versatility, comfort and the fact that it adheres to Indian cultural norms. Consisting of a long tunic with cuts at the sides (the kameez), a loose trouser (salwar) and a dupatta draped around the chest, the flexibility and variability of this garment has made it a virtual national dress for India and Pakistan, besides being worn widely in Nepal and Bangladesh. Especially in Pakistan and in India, to some extent, men also wear salwar kameez making it a unisex garment. In India, men wear it and its variations for special occasions like marriages and parties or for religious functions, whereas in Pakistan, it is worn for daily use.

The 20th century was the time when this attire has gained popularity all across the country. The salwar suit for women has given rise to many variations- the churidaar salwar, Patiala salwar, anarkali among others. With the passage of time, there have been many variations to the design of the salwar kameez, with designers using different kinds of work along with printed designs to make the garment more appealing to women of all ages. The loose salwar has now given rise to tight churidaars and the kameez has become tighter with the passage of time and the change in tastes of new generations of women. For men too there has been a sea change in this appearance with many opting for churidars and highly embroidered kurtis and angarkhas for weddings and other social functions. The fabrics used have also changed, from cotton used earlier to a wide variety of fabrics like silk, chiffon, brocade and so on. It is not only become a daily wear staple for women but has also become a fashion statement in its own right.

In this age of instant communication and the widespread influence of media, trends have been catching up at a relatively fast pace. So fast, that even retailers face challenges in catering to the sudden surge of demand for certain products. Bollywood has played its part in glamorizing the salwar kameez. Everyone remembers Kareena Kapoor in her Patiala salwar-top combination at the railway station in the movie Jab We Met, this helped the popularity of Patiala salwar suits to skyrocket. Other variations of this clothing style are like anarkalis, palazzo salwar kameez, churidaars have also become popular in part due to the influence of trendsetters in Bollywood. The changing trends and tastes of the young Indian women will not change the demand for salwar suits in the near future. It is true that women in South India have been slower in adopting it, but have gradually adopted it due to its comfort and versatility. This outfit will always be the number one favorite with Indian women in the near foreseeable future.

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