West Bengal is blessed with a rich cultural heritage that reflects in its traditions, dresses, jewellery, cuisine, art, cinema, music and especially its literature. It has a cultural legacy enriched with the traditional techniques of stitching, weaving and embroidery.
This rich heritage is the common legacy of both present-day West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Here’s everything you need to know about the traditional dress of west bengal and Jewellery of Bengali women.
Traditional Dress of West Bengal :
Traditional Saree:
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The women of West Bengal adorn 6 yards of elegance i.e Bengali saree made in either silk or cotton. The traditional Bengali saree has a heavy embroidered pallu or border, draped in a spell-bound charm. The designing of a Bengali saree requires exquisite craftsmanship.
Bengali Traditional Dress Types of Bengali Saree
Garad
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Garad has a combination of off-white and red color, or any other color with a striped border. If you are looking for a traditional Bengali saree, then you should get the red and white saree.
Tant
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Tant sarees has a thick border and an ornate pallu. It comes in both cotton and silk and is handwoven by artisans all over Bengal. Due to its low cost, it is used as a daily wear saree
Jamdani
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One of the finest muslin textiles of Bengal, Jamdani is a woven fabric in cotton. Jamdani work is said to have originated thousands of years ago.
It contains the patterns that are mostly of geometric, plant, and floral. Jam means flowers and Dani means vase, therefore, Jamdani saree has beautiful floral motifs crafted with immaculate precision.
Cotton
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The most comfortable and easy to carry, Bengali cotton saree is classy, comfortable and elegant.
This type of West Bengal traditional dress is usually worn on a daily basis by the women.
Baluchari Silk
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Baluchari silk sarees are rich and opulent, therefore mostly worn by the women choose on a wedding or special occasions. They have a thick and intricate silk border crafted with intricate detailing and utter precision.
Traditional Jewellery
Pati Haar
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Patti Haar is a heavy studded necklace. The women of West Bengal wear pati haar in the Durga Puja, weddings, and family events.
Made of Gold, Patti Haar is crafted with intricate designing and immaculate precision.
Though it has heavy intricate designs, it is comfortable to wear (due to its flattened shape). Women pair it with the traditional dress of West Bengal.
Jhumko
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Jhumko or jhumka are crafted with beautiful intricate floral motifs. Jhumko is hugely popular among the Bengali women. They are also known as the chandelier earrings in English
With new fashion trends, many new designs have been incorporated in the jhumko or jhumkas, making it more stylish and suitable for the latest fashion trends.
Nath
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These are traditional gold nose rings, mostly adorned by the brides during a Bengali marriage ceremony.
The size of the ring is directly proportional to the financial status of the family.
Bengali nath is paired with the Wedding West Bengal dress.
Tikli
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Tikli is a traditional head jewellery. Made of Gold, it is mostly adorned by the brides. It is also adorned by the Bengali women on the auspicious occasions and family functions. The designs are intricately crafted with precision. An expensive tikli includes studded stones (both precious and semi-precious).
Tairaa
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Tairaa is the head gear and is used to hold the veils of a Bengali bride at the wedding ceremony. Made of Gold, it is similar to the tiaras worn in the Western culture by the brides. It is believed to be inspired by the British fashion of yesteryears when they were the rulers of the country. It is sometimes combined with a mangtika to offer an elegant and graceful look to the bride.
Choker
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Choker, as the name suggests, is a closely-fitting neckwear, worn on the higher part of the neck. Nowadays, Gold chokers are mostly diamond or pearls studded.
Kaan
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Kaan basically means ears. Shaped as the human ear, Kaan is an ear jewellery. It covers the entire ear. Bengali women adorn this beautiful Gold ornament during the marriage ceremonies and family functions. A huge amount of this precious metal is used for making this beautiful ear ornament, starting from 15 gm minimum for each ear.
Kaan Bala
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Kaan Bala is the round big earring and is favored by most Bengali women. Kaan Bala is inspired from the bangle’s shape (Bangles are called bala in Bengali).
Chur
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Crafted with elegant intricate work, Chur is the traditional gold bracelet in Bengal. Good amount of Gold is used to make a single bangle, sometimes up to 50 gm.
Ratanchur
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Ratanchur is the hand jewellery. It has five finger rings that are attached through individual chains to reach the wrist or arm. Ratanchur is usually adorned by a Bengali bride.
Which type of Bengali saree and jewellery did you like the most? Drop comments and let us know your favorite pick.
Till then,
Happy Shopping Fellas!
