Sunday 12 August 2012

The Saga of the Sherwani

The sherwani and it's cousin the achkan are marvellous symbol of the journey contemporary Indian culture has taken across the last few centuries. The word sherwani is said to have Persian roots and the style was brought to the Indian subcontinent by the Mughals rulers. In the 18th century this elegant ensemble was widely accepted as the dress code for the nobles. The Maharajas and the British rule added their own flavors to this cocktail in the variations of cut and cloth giving rise to various styles.

The most popular ambassador  of the sherwani in modern times has been the first prime minister of India  - Jawaharlal Nehru. In the 1960s His trademark style was marketed in the west as the "Nehru Jacket".

Jawaharlal Nehru
In it's traditional form the sherwani is a knee length garment buttoned in the front. It can be designed as plain and elegant for formal occasions or embellished with embroidery and patterns as is frequently done in north Indian weddings.

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