Throughout recorded history clothing, along with food & shelter has been recognised as one of the primary needs of mankind. The average person however is apt to interpret the significance of clothing solely in terms of physical or utilitarian needs, such as the need for protection against the weather. Often we forget that everyone has a variety of social and emotional needs that also must be met in some way. Culture and society although they exist in the present drive from the past.
Culture
The term culture refers to the religious beliefs, customs, traditions, language, and ceremonies, art, value and the way on life of the people. It differs in languages, religious costumes, dance, music, architecture, food and customs from place to place, even within the country.
Traditional Clothing in India greatly varies across different parts of the country and is influenced by local culture, geographic climate and rural/ urban settings. The choice of clothing is primarily governed with the society and the culture in which one lives. The influence of society may be formal such as by rules and regulations and may be informal such as by customs and the fashion. Culture changes with the change in time and the social situation.
At any given moment in human history diverse pattern in dress serve to identify the culture. Customs of dress vary not only in their social context but in terms of their religious significance as well. It is thus important to not that dress as an expression of modesty is a cultural variation rather than being based on the universal laws of mankind.
Culture itself is never completely static or uniform, each age, each generation, each year brings some modification of custom and accompanying clothing habits. Cultural changes are always more rapid and by same taken more obvious when enforced through political disorganisation or social upheaval. Culture constantly is being modified by development in the technical, political, social & economic spheres of societies and such changes are reflected visibly in the clothing of the people. Man has found an infinite number of ways to satisfy his clothing needs. In different parts of the world and in different periods of history. Factors that influence the diversity of costume design include the effect of the natural environment, the supply of raw materials, the technical skills of the people, moral standards and religious values as well as aesthetic and political ideals. As these cultural differences disappear dress styles also merge into more universal pattern.
Clothing oneself according to the culture helps to:-
- Maintain social relationship - every person tries to clothe himself according to the culture and it helps to maintain and improve social relationship. It gives him a feeling of satisfaction and encouragement to be as a part of the group and prevent him from cultural tag.
- Outlook of the individual - the clothing pattern of the person as according to the culture influences his thinking and the outlook towards his life and others. the point of view coming from the previous generations and the rules regarding dos and don'ts of culture and carried on by the clothing.
- Identify the needs - the difference in clothing of people according to the culture helps one to realise the pros and cons of it. For this reason, people bring out the changes in their culture which are more useful and the change in clothing comes with it.
- Signify social achievements - the clothes make clear the differences between the position or rank of the wearer in the society and signify his social achievements. E.g. stars on the shoulder of policemen.
- Provide valuation - the quality of the clothes worn by the wearer shows his value in the society and gives him satisfaction.
Religion
Indian religions are a classification for religions that originated in the Indian subcontinents namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. These religions are also classified as eastern religions. Although Indian religions are connected through the history of India, they constitute a wide range of religious communities and Indian religions are not confined to the Indian subcontinent.
Traditional clothing in India greatly varied across different parts of the country and is influenced by local culture, geography, climate and rural/urban settings. Popular styles of dress include draped garments such as sari for women and dhoti or lungi for men. Stitched garments are also popular such as churidar or salwar kameez for women, with dupatta thrown over the shoulder to complete the outfit. Salwar is often loose fitting while churidar is tight cut. For men, stitched versions include kurta - pyjamas and European style trousers and shirts. In urban centres people often are seen in jeans, trousers and shirts, suits, kurta and a variety of other outfits.
In public and religious places, Indian dress etiquette discourages exposure of skin and wearing transparent or tight clothes. Most Indian clothes are made from cotton which is ideal for the regions hot weather. Since India's weather is mostly hot and rainy, majority of Indian wear sandals.
Indian clothing styles have continuously evolved over the course of the country's history. Ancient vedic texts mention clothes were made from bark and leaves. The 11th century BC Rig Veda mentions dyed and embroidered garments and this highlights the development of sophisticated garment manufacturing techniques during the Vedic age. In 5th century BC Greek historian Herodotus describes the richness of the quality of Indian cotton clothes. By 2nd century AD, muslin's manufactured in Southern India were imported by the Roman Expire and silk cloth was one of the major exports of ancient India along with Indian Spices. Stitches clothing in India was developed before 10th Century AD and was further popularised in 15th Century by Muslim empires in India. Draped clothing styles remained popular with India's Hindu population while the Muslims increasingly adopted tailored garments.
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