Male Costume
Bengali dhoti,which is handloom woven, is about 11 yards. A knot is tied at the front part at the center. The left side is taken through the legs, pleated & tucked at the back side of the waist. These are called Malkoncha or Kochar. The surplus portion that comes from the right,is pleated & formed of . These pleats are called Koncha. This is generally kept dangling in front as it is not the custom to draw up the lower end of the pleat. For convenience men shorten the length of the pleat by holding it in the hand, pushing it into the hand or by pushing it into the kurta pocket. A collarless & cuffless kurta is worn over the gangi (vest). During the winter a chaddar is used to swathe the upper part of the body.
Female Costume
No pleats are formed in women saris, so they wear saris very differntly. The length of the bengali sari is 5 yards. A knot is tied at the end of the sari and brought to the front, from the right side. Sari is then taken thrice around the front waist. over the left side of the shoulder & over the head. The pallu is then taken from the head under the right arm & over the right shoulder & thrown back with the keys dangling down the end of the pallu in a knot. Bengali saris are provided with beautiful borders which is called PARH in Bengal.In urban areas women wear blouses, though in villages, blouses are uncommon & rural women drape the upper part so artfully that need for blouse does not arise.
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useful article…thanks
will it be possible for you to post some bengali male and female costume of late 19th century and early 20th century to mid 20th century?thanks.
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