Life in LEELA LANE
future feels
This editorial features what Force Master sanDhya wore on this mission to KAALIAN: THE TIMELESS PLANET.
Worn exploring the Core Caves for the Durgaah Crystal.
Also showcases how designers from India are tweaking traditional and historical garments, like the Anarkali, to create designs that dissipate borders and timelines.
Also showcases how designers from India are tweaking traditional and historical garments, like the Anarkali, to create designs that dissipate borders and timelines.
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Anarkali, named after a legendary figure in North Indian folklore, whether or not Anarkali was real is debated.
Some stories say she was real, that she was a courtesan named Sharf-un-Nisa, nicknamed Anarkali for her beauty [the word Anarkali means the “delicate bud of the pomegranate flower”].
This same story is also what makes others view her as a fictional character created by Imtiaz Ali Taj for his 1922 play ‘Anarkali’, made even more famous by the 1960 Hindi cinema adaptation, the classic ‘Mughal-e-Azam‘, starring Hindi cinema legends Dilip Kumar and Madhubala.
Anarkali, the style of dress, has its roots in the Mughal and Persian cultures, said to be first worn by Mughal-era dancers who entertained the royal court with Mujra dances.
An Anarkali ensemble traditionally consists of 3 separates- a fitted bodice with a flared skirt; a churidar (skinny pants) and a dupatta.
What some call a Scandinavian stole…
Interestingly Kathak dancers tend to wear Anarkalis. Kathak, [a North Indian classical dance and one of the main dances of India] and Mujra are often conflated due to geographical origins.
While Kathak is a classical dance form and a historical storytelling practise, Mujra is ‘contemporary’ olden entertainment, often cited as the origin of “Bollywood dance”.
While Kathak is a classical dance form and a historical storytelling practise, Mujra is ‘contemporary’ olden entertainment, often cited as the origin of “Bollywood dance”.
For cultural dance and culture enthusiasts, Sydney based Ruchi Sanghi Dance Company has also produced and presented ‘Anarkali The Musical’. [Slideshow 2023 and 2022].
1. Anne Anarkali by Paulmi and Harsh
Silky soft flowing chanderi ensemble in the deepest shade of crimson.
A 40 kali Anarkali, rebelliously paired with a generously flared skirt [perfect for tucking under as a dhoti when spelunking on alien planets]. A Banarasi Organza dupatta featuring Paulmi and Harsh’s signature Roop print with hand-embroidered motifs, completes the ensemble.
A 40 kali Anarkali, rebelliously paired with a generously flared skirt [perfect for tucking under as a dhoti when spelunking on alien planets]. A Banarasi Organza dupatta featuring Paulmi and Harsh’s signature Roop print with hand-embroidered motifs, completes the ensemble.
Purchase at LEELA LANE.
Kali = panels/pleats
Chanderi = Named after the town of Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh, India, woven using a combination of cotton and silk, sometimes with zari threads, which gives the material a shimmer. “Zari” comes from the Persian word “Zar,” meaning gold, and zari is known for its durability
2. Back Dori Anarkali by Ease
Purchase at LEELA LANE
3. Beatrice Jacket Set with Skirt by Paulmi and Harsh
Purchase at LEELA LANE.
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