How A Bengali Loves A "Panjabi"!
We have heard of "Love At First Sight", we have heard of "Lifelong Love", we have even heard of "Journey of Love". In fact, love has been lovingly articulated over the years - through various idioms, expressions and likewise. In today's edition, we peep into the love-life of a Bengali and a certain "Punjabi". No, it is not a story, or an anecdote; it is not a novel, or a screenplay - it is history.
To raise the curtains, we have to start with the Persian word "Kurta". Since the word is of Persian origin, no prizes for guessing that the classical dress Kurta had its roots in Persia and the neighboring places. The influence has been so overwhelming that till today, Kurta is an inseparable entity in countries like Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. Talking about India, the journey can be traced, quite naturally, from Northern States to the Western States and finally over to the Southern and Eastern States. A Kurta has remained a solid representation of masculinity in the Northern parts of India that houses Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and of course, Punjab.
While this journey was ongoing, Kurta came to Bengal. The exact time-period is not known to me, but one gets to know about it from various literary pieces, historical data et al. Though we may find it very difficult to trace back the origin of Kurta in Bengal, one thing can be said loudly and clearly : Kurta became quite a hit when it reached Bengal. From religious persons to educationist, from poets to musicians, from politicians to youth - Kurta's popularity was terrific.
It was probably during that time, or maybe before or after, that Kurta changed its name in Bengal. Some unconfirmed sources say that Bengali people liked the Punjabi version of the Kurta and hence came a name called "Panjabi". Yes, please watch out the spelling, there is a tiny difference! One other variation of the word can be found in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Sign of the Four" where he uses the word "Punjaubees". Whatever be the reason, it was a love at first sight - the love started an unending journey and Panjabi became a much cherished dress of Bengalis.
To give you all an account of how much a Bengali loves his Panjabi, I can mention about a small stroll that I once had through a busy marketplace in Kolkata. If there was one kind of garment store that never presented an empty look, it was the one selling Panjabi. Variations in the linen -- "khaadi", "khoddor", "suti", silk, "tossor" -- crowd the different corners of a standard Panjabi store. Sizes vary too; from being long enough to reach up to knees, to being a bit longer to go beyond the knees, to being even longer to reach almost the toes. A Bengali lad is never good-looking unless he fits well in a Panjabi. Call it love or adulation, if a small boy is asked to sketch a Panjabi, he will not draw a turban wearing Sikh, but an embroidered Kurta by the same name.
To raise the curtains, we have to start with the Persian word "Kurta". Since the word is of Persian origin, no prizes for guessing that the classical dress Kurta had its roots in Persia and the neighboring places. The influence has been so overwhelming that till today, Kurta is an inseparable entity in countries like Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. Talking about India, the journey can be traced, quite naturally, from Northern States to the Western States and finally over to the Southern and Eastern States. A Kurta has remained a solid representation of masculinity in the Northern parts of India that houses Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and of course, Punjab.
While this journey was ongoing, Kurta came to Bengal. The exact time-period is not known to me, but one gets to know about it from various literary pieces, historical data et al. Though we may find it very difficult to trace back the origin of Kurta in Bengal, one thing can be said loudly and clearly : Kurta became quite a hit when it reached Bengal. From religious persons to educationist, from poets to musicians, from politicians to youth - Kurta's popularity was terrific.
It was probably during that time, or maybe before or after, that Kurta changed its name in Bengal. Some unconfirmed sources say that Bengali people liked the Punjabi version of the Kurta and hence came a name called "Panjabi". Yes, please watch out the spelling, there is a tiny difference! One other variation of the word can be found in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Sign of the Four" where he uses the word "Punjaubees". Whatever be the reason, it was a love at first sight - the love started an unending journey and Panjabi became a much cherished dress of Bengalis.
To give you all an account of how much a Bengali loves his Panjabi, I can mention about a small stroll that I once had through a busy marketplace in Kolkata. If there was one kind of garment store that never presented an empty look, it was the one selling Panjabi. Variations in the linen -- "khaadi", "khoddor", "suti", silk, "tossor" -- crowd the different corners of a standard Panjabi store. Sizes vary too; from being long enough to reach up to knees, to being a bit longer to go beyond the knees, to being even longer to reach almost the toes. A Bengali lad is never good-looking unless he fits well in a Panjabi. Call it love or adulation, if a small boy is asked to sketch a Panjabi, he will not draw a turban wearing Sikh, but an embroidered Kurta by the same name.
Nice it seems to be good post... It will get readers engagement on the article since readers engagement plays an vital role in every blog.. i am expecting more updated posts from your hands.
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Thanks for your comment. I would keep working to get more engagement and come in contact with my readers. I will definitely write more on this genre. I love to write about cultures - food, dress, history, tradition etc. Hope we cross our paths soon again.
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