Social media these days bombards us with images of a Gharara as being a tight pair of pants, hugging at the thighs and joined at the knee with a moderate gathering of fabric, creating a bell-bottom.
But did you know that the true Gharara was a pair of wide-legged pyjamas, with gathers or kalis at the knee instead of at the waist, from where it flared out. It was worn with a Kurti and a Dupatta. The area below the knee, called gote in Urdu, was often elaborately embroidered in zari and kamkhwaab work. The entire garment was made from 6 -12 metres of fabric. The upper part of the Gharara, called paat or kunda, was entirely constructed of kalis, and the two legs were separated by a piece of cloth called the miyaani. This played an important role as it strengthened the upper half of the garment, which bore the weight of the heavy gote. A folded band on top, called the nefa, was used to thread the drawstrings to hold it up. Traditionally, gota or lace was stitched on the joint of the paat and gote to hide the joint. This joint is what differentiates a Gharara from a Sharara. The latter is also a divided skirt like a pyjama, but it has no joints, gathers or flares at the knees.
Admittedly, modern dressing needs, and economy render such an extravagant garment impractical. Yet there are certain idealistic designers and brands who believe in doing things the right way, because the elegance of the traditional Gharara remains unparalleled. And being stingy with fabric certainly doesn’t help!
In an attempt to revive the classic look, we are developing the kalidar Ghrara, here at Merarang.com. Its upper part, or paat, has kalis, making it more shapely but not tight in an unsightly way, and yet roomy and comfortable at the hip. The gote, or the part below the knee is volumized not by gathers alone, as in regularly available market variety Ghararas, but by joining individual kalis, creating a dense umbrella of fabric, bring back once again the yesteryear charm and grace. Our Kalidar Gharara is made using at least 5 meters of fabric, unlike the ones readily available from top brands, that use only 2-2.5 meters.
Watch this space for more of our sensational new developemnts!
