Sindhi Dress

The Shalwar and Kameez with the Pyjama is a traditional Sindhi dress for both women and men in Sindh. In addition, women typically dress in Ghagra or Saris. However, before the Shalwar, Kameez, Kurta, Saris, and other apparel items became popular, Sindhis dressed in their unique traditional style.

Men initially wore Dhoti/Lungi and a longer or shorter Angrakho; afterward, the Angrakho was modified by a Sindhi Kurta called Pehriyan, and Sindhi Shalwar/Suthan/Kancha removed the Dhoti/Lungi. The traditional dress code for Sindhi women was Lehnga Choli with a lengthy veil. This remained the case until the 1840s when women began wearing the Suthan.

Sindhi Traditional Dress

A distinctive group would typically dress in a manner considered traditional, which may be described as an outfit consisting of apparel, jewelry, and other items that originated in the distant past. There is a common tendency to use the terms regional and traditional dress, similar to national attire or costume. The conventional Sindhi dress that the inhabitants of Sindh wore in the medieval period and previous to the control of the Mughals was very similar to the clothing worn in Iraq and the nations that bordered it.                                                                                                                                                        

The costumes ranged from small tunics to long robes with an Iraqi-inspired design. If there were any drawers, they would be of Iraqi design and included pantaloons, which were also utilized in the neighboring city of Multan and the coastal parts of Gujarat. Nevertheless, the usage of such Iraqi clothing in Sindh was localized to Mansura, which became the Arab capital in 712 C.E. and was not extensively embraced throughout the province. Arab control in Sindh lasted until 1050 C.E. In addition to these gowns, Sindhis wore other traditional clothing alongside these dresses.

Men’s Sindhi Dress:

The traditional attire of a Sindhi man as their Sindhi clothing consists of the following: Dhoti or Lungi, Jamo or Angrakho (top), Achi Pagirhi (white Turban), and a block print shawl called Ajrakh (often known as Sindhi Ajrak) or other shawls created locally. In addition, a flowery or checkerboard piece of cloth in various colors is worn on the shoulder or as a turban. This cloth can also be used as a handkerchief. Even in modern times, men and women of Sindh continue to dress in the region’s customary attire.

Shalwar Kameez

Other than their different types of traditional dresses, Sindhi men also wear Shalwar Kameez. The Kameez (a long shirt whose length is almost up to the knees having splits at both sides of the thighs and stitched till hips). The size of the Kameez is the choice of the wearer. Some men like it till the knees, some like it shorter, whereas others like it even longer from the knees. The length of the traditional Shalwar and Kameez worn by Sindhi men is up to the knees. First, let’s talk about the conventional Shalwar that Sindhi men wear. The Shalwar resembles a pair of regular pants. Imagine a pair of pants in your imagination. In Sindhi clothing, the Sindhi Shalwar worn by Sindhi men is currently heavily pleated from the thighs where it is stitched.

Angerkho

The other garment men wear the modern Sindhi Suthan, paired with a traditional Sindhi shirt known as a Peheren. It is also a conventional Sindhi dress. The Peheren is known as Angerkho, and it is a shorter version of the Kurta that is tied to the side. Angeli is another term for the top, and it describes its characteristic short length and left-crossed design, which covers the chest, shoulders, and arms. The cuffs on the long sleeves are pleated. Large and wide pleats conceal the belly. The other traditional top looks like a long gown worn over the head.

Dhoti

The Lungi and the Dhoti are the traditionally masculine lower garment names. However, the sash wrapped around the waist and worn with top regional garments like the Angerkho is still very common in rural areas.

 Ajrak

Sindhi Ajrak, often spelled Ajrakh, is a one-of-a-kind block printing primarily practiced in the province of Sindh in Pakistan and the city of Ajrakhpur in the Kutch district of India. These shawls include one-of-a-kind motifs and patterns that were created using a printing technique called block printing. Sindhi Ajraks have evolved into a significant representation of Sindhi heritage and culture. Due to the impact of the Indus Valley culture in Sindh, Pakistan, Ajrak print is also well-known in neighboring regions of Gujarat in India. Gujarat is located in western India. In the subsequent years, the Saraiki people of South Punjab, Pakistan, developed their version of the Sindhi Ajrak shawl, which they named Sajarak. The hue cyan predominates throughout Sajarak, whereas red and black makeup most of Ajrak.

Sindhi Topi

The people of Sindh wear their unique styles of headwear and caps. The Sindhi topi is a cylindrical skullcap with a cutout in the form of an arch on the frontal side. The hat features intricate geometrical designs embroidered on it and has tiny bits of mirrors or gemstones sewn into it.

Women’s Sindhi Dress:

In the past, younger women frequently went out in public while still wearing their velvet or amber Pyjamas, known as Suthan. In addition, they wore a lengthy skirt (Jablo) on top of a heavy poplin blouse (Koti). Churidar Pyjamas were popular among women of middle age and younger. In the past, older women would cover their bodies with a white sheet called a Chaadar, which had only a little hole cut in the corner called an Akhiri. With time, more mature women began to don the Salwar Kurta and slippers (Sapato).

Sindhi Bharat

As the name of a province in Pakistan, Sindh has earned a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the world’s most exquisite examples of Sindhi hand embroidery, particularly those characterized by a remarkable mirror-like quality achieved through the thread. “Sindhi Bhart” is the name given to the attention-getting appearance that women earn by donning elaborately embroidered garments made by hand. Most women, particularly those who attend special occasions, favor donning these garments.

The “Hurmoocho” Sindhi Bhart is the one that is considered to be the original. Girls who have not yet gotten married wear the opening in the back of their clothing, while married women wear it in the front. There are also exquisitely designed dupattas called “Chunri” that come in vibrant colors and feature intricate patterns.

Lehenga Choli

Before the Suthan and the Sindhi cholo were invented, the traditional clothing of Sindh was the Lengha (Jablo) Choli, which is still commonly worn by women in many different parts of Sindh today. The Ghagra is a thicker edition of the Lehnga worn by women in the Thakparkar district. It is paired with a loose or tailored-to-fit choli or a Kancera, a fully embroidered, low-cut blouse from the back.                                     

Another top piece of clothing is the Gaji favored in the mountain districts of Sindh. The Gaji comprises tiny, square pieces embroidered on sequins and silk. The neckline of the Gaji is high cut and circular solely on a single side, with a slit gap. Girls who have yet to get wedding dresses have the opening on the back of their clothing, while married women wear it on the front. The original attire does not require a lady to have a Suthan under the Lengha. Therefore, the Suthan for females is a somewhat late adoption. There are areas in Sindh where the Suthan is not worn with the skirt.

Chunri

Although fashions and styles are constantly evolving, Chunri is one item of apparel that has maintained its popularity among Pakistani women over the years. Chunri styles are typically characterized by their vivid coloration and easily recognizable geometric designs that are formed on cloth that has been dyed. This 5,000-year-old handicraft is still practiced in communities as small as Kahror Pakka, in south Punjab’s tehsil. Hence, women of all social strata wear it.                                                                  

Chunri is a cultural artifact with its roots in Sindh, but there are also examples of the style in some regions of Punjab. After the fabric has been dyed, the design is constructed using simple material tied in various shapes to complete the look. A few days pass while the fabric is left to dry in its knotted state. Once the cloth is dry, the artisans take the connections from the fabric one at a time, creating stunning patterns on the fabric. Many believe that working on cotton material produces a more comfortable and long-lasting finished product. However, because cotton is expensive, some individuals use other types of cloth instead.

Sindhi Dress Shalwaar Kameez (Suthan & Cholo)

The Suthan, which resembles a shalwar, became the customary bottom attire for women in Sindh during the 1930s. Similarly to the Punjabi Suthan of Punjab, the Sindhi Suthan, also known as the charango, is strongly pleated, full on the thighs, slightly narrower just on the knees, pulled in at the instep, and pleated on ankles.

Cholo

The Sindhi Suthan used to be worn with the Sindhi Cholo (bodice) and Paro (petticoat/ghagra). Still, nowadays, it is only known to wear with a loose-fitting Cholo (Kameez), which can be made in several different ways, such as the traditional way with the cholo opening at the front to the midsection and with extensive sleeves. It can get as low as the ankles with the traditional Cholo.

Handmade Shoulder Bag

Because they are embroidered with strong thread, the multi-colored Sindhi bags stand out from other bags. Cotton fabric was used to make them. They are generally decorated with vivid, colorful lines using Sindhi hand embroidery on a base of black material.                                                                                                               

An artistic pattern uses chains and satin stitches on bags to make lovely rectangular, triangular, and circular forms. Mirrors and dangling thread balls filled with massive, vibrant beads embellish the bags. Handmade by talented and imaginative individuals, You’ll be shocked to learn that these outstanding designers come from low-income rural households. Women from Sindh and students from schools, colleges, and universities favor using these bags for carrying items over more traditional bags. These bags are available in various sizes, including small bags for children and bags specifically made to handle a mobile device or a laptop. The ideal size for casual use is a medium-sized bag. The remarkable aspect of such bags is that persons of all ages can carry them.

Sindhi Culture Day Dressing:

The traditional Sindhi Culture Day Dressing of Sindhi men and women is as follows;

Sindhi Culture Day Dressing; Men:

The garment that men put on their Sindhi Cultural day is called a modern Sindhi Suthan, paired with a traditional Sindhi shirt known as a Peheren; this is what they wear as their Sindhi cultural dress. The Peheren, also known as Angerkho, is a shorter version of the Kurta fastened to the side. Angeli is another term for the top, and it describes its characteristic short length and left-crossed design, which covers the chest, shoulders, and arms. The cuffs on the long sleeves are pleated. Large and wide pleats conceal the belly. The other traditional top looks like a long gown worn over the head.

Sindhi Culture Day Dressing: Women:

Today, most Sindhi women usually wear a Sindhi Salwar Cholo and a long veil adorned with Sindhi hand embroidery known as Bhart. In the past, Sindhi ladies customarily wore the Sindhi Lehenga Choli. They also dress up Lehnga Choli, Paro Choli/Jablo Choli, or Ghaghra Choli. Sindhi women’s outfits are the most lively and vibrant with Sindhi hand-embroidery work and mirror work; a full embroidered shirt is named a Gaj. Bharat varies from tribe to tribe and from region to region. For example, some Jutt women in the lower delta region of Sindh wear long dresses similar to robes. In contrast, some Baloch women in Sindh wear a Ghaghra identical to a dress but has a pocket in the front of the garment on their Sindhi Cultural day.

Sindhi Wedding Dress:

The brides prefer wearing beautiful Lehengas, primarily red, and the groom wears traditional wedding attire, Sherwani and Churidar Pyjama. Both of the wedding dresses are heavily decorated.

Sindhi Handicrafts:

Sindhi crafts are stylish and classic. Using the skills acquired from their elders, Sindhi women artisans have devised and produced Sindhi handicrafts for children and adults for millennia. The vibrant culture of Sindh is reflected in the colorful gowns, suits, Topis, tablecloths, and bags made there. The long list of cush handicrafts includes traditional Sindhi dress for kids, hand-embroidered Sindhi Pyjamas and trousers, Handmade Sindhi Tops, Neckline with Sindhi Embroidery, Quilts from Sindh, and a Faqeeri Malangi topi, Handmade Sindhi Embroidered Suits, Handmade Elegant Roti Plate and a Waistcoat with Sindhi hand-Embroidery, Tissue Box Cover Embroidered in Sindhi Style, Vintage Sindhi hand-embroidery Door Decoration, Sindhi embroidered clothing, Suits made in Sindh, Girls’ Hand Embroidered Bags in a Variety of Colors, Bedsheets with Sindhi Chadar applique, Table runner with Sindhi hand-embroidery.

FAQs

 1. Which clothing is Sindh famous for internationally?

Sindh is famous for its traditional Sindhi Ajrak internationally.

 2. What is the traditional Sindhi Shalwar called?

The Sindhi Shalwar, known as Kancha, can be characterized as wide pants at the ankles rather than beginning to cluster at the knees like the current Sindhi Suthan.

 3. Does Sindhi wear a turban?

Yes, Sindhi people do wear Turban.

4. What is Sindhi mirror embroidery called?

Sindhi mirror embroidery is called Sindhi-Kutch Style.

5. What are the famous crafts of Sindh?

Famous Sindhi crafts of Sindh are their embroideries, Rally, Sindhi Ajrak, Sindhi topi, Farassi rugs, and Thari carpets.

 6. What do Sindhi brides wear?

Sindhi brides prefer wearing a Lehenga at their wedding.

Conclusion

 The data shows that Sindhi hand embroidery can hold an identity comparable to any other style. It remarkably possesses a wide range of co-temporization possibilities. The remarkable people of Sindh province are responsible for creating this colorful and exquisitely designed clothing, an outstanding example of their brilliance. The ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus Valley is the ancestor of the Sindhi culture.

The dresses of all of Pakistan’s provinces are quite graceful and beautiful. Still, the Sindhi dress is growing in fame due to the use of bold colors and the extensive labor that goes into creating each piece of cloth. The Sindhi Ajrak is an essential and widely worn component of traditional Sindhi dress. Women wear long and flowy dresses, and men wear Shalwar Kameez, Sindhi Ajrak on their shoulders, and a Sindhi topi to their attire. The men wear Kameez, similar to a shirt but shorter, and the Shalwar, which has a large Ghair, thick and heavy.                                                            

The women of Sindh are known for their fondness of wearing heavy suits, which is why their traditional Saris are adorned with intricate Karahi (embroidery) and mirror work. Karhai is a hand-worked process, and it can take many weeks to finish a single Sindhi dress and even longer finish just one side of the dress. Their Dupattas (like veils) are also covered in needlework, giving them a little heavier look and enabling women to carry them on their heads without assistance. These dresses will gain popularity worldwide, and designers worldwide are beginning to incorporate this work of art into their creations to increase the value of their finished products.