West Bengal is a state in eastern India with a rich and diverse culture. The traditional dress of West Bengal reflects this diversity, with a variety of styles and fabrics worn by both men and women. In West Bengal, men traditionally wear Dhoti and Kurta. The women traditionally wear a white saree with red border.
Lets talk about some Colorful Traditional Clothes of West Bengal.
1. Saree – Women’s Traditional Dress of West Bengal
The most iconic and prevalent traditional attire for women in West Bengal is the saree. The Bengali saree is renowned for its graceful and artistic draping style, known as the “Bengali drape.” These sarees are typically made of soft, lightweight fabrics like cotton, silk, or Tant, a distinctive handwoven cotton textile. They are often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors.
Sarees are typically paired with a blouse and petticoat. The blouse is a short, fitted top that covers the chest and upper back.
Here are some popular Traditional dress of Bengal for Womens
Baluchori Saree
Baluchari saree is one of the most popular saris in Bangladesh and India. It is worn by women all over West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and other states of India. This type of saree has its origin in West Bengal. It is famous for its anchal, which depicts mythological scenes. Traditionally, this sari was manufactured in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Nowadays, it is only produced in the state of West Bengal. The only authentic place where you can buy a Baluchari saree is Bishnupur and surrounding areas in West Bengal.
Types of Baluchari
- Baluchari (resham)
- Baluchari (meenakari)
- Swarnachari (baluchari in gold)
Reference : Baluchori Saree
Price Range : Baluchori Saree Available in the market with price Ranging from INR 8000 to INR 100000.
Bishnupuri Silk
Another type of saree in tradisional dress of bengal in Bishnupuri Silk. Truely originated from the city of bishnupur. This is a very soft silk saree,which gives you tingling feeling when you touch it.
Price Range : Bishnupuri pure silk saree may cost you around INR 3,500 to INR 5,000 depending on the hand/screen print used
Murshidabad Silk
Murshidabad Silk Sarees, originating from the renowned region of Murshidabad in West Bengal, India, are an integral part of the country’s rich textile heritage. These exquisite sarees are renowned for their exquisite embroidery and intricate designs, which are often inspired by the cultural symbols and historic influences of the region.This silk is very fine, light in weight. One of the most famous Murshidabad silk is Gorad.
Dhakai Jamdani
Jamdani is a traditional dress of bengal made with Muslin textile. Tbe name Dhakai Jamdani coming from Bangladesh. This saree gives the unique texture of art. This saree made with different design of flower and artistic form which make it very expensive. This is one of the famous traditional saree of bengal with gorgeous look.
Jamdani is a centuries-old weaving tradition originating from Dhaka, Bangladesh. This tradition is still followed in West Bengal today.
Jamdani sarees are feather light and sheer. They are woven with fine motifs all over the body to give it a grand and luxurious look.
Price Range : Dhakai Jamdani Saree available in the kolkata market with price range of INR 1600/- to INR 6000/-
Tant Sarees
Tant sarees are one of the most popular sarees in Bengal. They’re named after the loom they’re woven on. They’re easy to wear and super lightweight, perfect for Bengal’s hot and humid climate. Traditionally woven with paisleys and flower motifs, and with a thick coloured border, these sarees are a symbol of Bengal’s handloom tradition and are perfect for everyday wear.
Korial and Garad
Garad, which means white in Bengali, is a classic saree with a bold red border and stripes on the pallu, set against the plain white silk. It’s a saree with a religious meaning, and it’s especially popular during Durga Puja, weddings, and other religious events. It’s also known as Korial saree, and it’s usually made with a big buti or flower pattern in the body. When you pair it with an ivory or conch shell shell and a red lacquer bangle, it’s a showstopper. Garad sarees are a symbol of elegance and true Bengali beauty.
Tussar Silk Sarees
Tussar silk sarees are traditional yet modern. They have a natural beige color or cream colour with a golden shimmer. They are commonly dyed to add more vibrant colours to the fabric.
Tussar silk is the most popular type of silk in West Bengal, and it’s made in the Malda district. It’s more textured than other types of silk, and it’s used to make intricate Jamdanis and Balachuris too. Tussar sarees are usually solid colours with a golden sheen, and they have both traditional and modern designs on the pallu.
Tussar Silks saree from Bengal are decorated with a range of woven and embroidered designs from traditional to contemporary motifs.
Muslin Cotton & Silk Saree
Muslin, also known as Dhakai Muslin, is the fabric used to make muslin silk and cotton sarees in Bangladesh. It originated during the time of the Mughals in India. Muslin sarees are very delicate to the touch and very exotic to the eye. They are considered the epitome of luxury. The delicate, hand woven floral pattern brings out the subtle beauty in these beautiful sarees.
Dhakai Muslin sarees may cost a lot of money, but we bring you the best range of Dhakai silk and cotton saree in Bengal in soft colors and light weaving.
Handspun Cotton Saree or Khadi Saree
Comfortable to wear and carry, Long-lasting. Used in a wide range of products Saree. One of the most important sarees made from handspun is the handspun saree. Traditionally, sarees are woven using only cotton. However, due to the demand for different types of sarees, other materials such as silk and wool have been used. However, all silk and wool handspun clothes will contain a certain percentage of cotton.
Kantha Sarees
Kantha Saree is one of the most popular embroidery styles in the Bengal region of Bengal. It is commonly used to design and pattern sarees and other clothes and accessories.
The kantha work is characterized by the ‘running stitch’. It is always made by hand, mostly by women. The intricacy and complexity of these embroidered patterns indicates how heavy or light a saree is.
2. Men’s Traditional dress of West Bengal
Dhoti & Panjabi
The traditional dress of West Bengal for men is the dhoti and panjabi. Dhoti and panjabi have been the traditional dress of West Bengal for centuries. They are worn by men of all ages and social classes, and they are considered to be a symbol of Bengali culture and identity.
Dhoti and panjabi are typically worn for special occasions, such as weddings, festivals, and religious ceremonies. However, they can also be worn for everyday wear, especially in rural areas.
In recent years, there has been a trend towards wearing more modern and Western-style clothing in West Bengal. However, dhoti and panjabi remain the most popular choice for men for special occasions.
- Dhoti: The dhoti is a long, unstitched garment that is typically made of cotton or silk. It is worn around the waist and draped between the legs. The dhoti can be pleated in a variety of ways, and the pleats are usually held in place with a belt or a sash.
- Panjabi: The panjabi is a loose-fitting shirt or kurta that is worn over the dhoti. It is typically made of cotton or silk, and it can be either short or long-sleeved. Panjabis are often decorated with embroidery or other embellishments.
