Since a section of the youth in urban India grew up wearing what children in the western countries do, it is now possible to host events like ‘Traditional Day’. For an afternoon, college goers wear what their parents and grandparents might have worn while growing up or what is worn on occasions of importance (usually festivals, dance performances, weddings, etc.).

What we wear and what was worn once is a very important idea, especially in India, where there are beautiful and giant differences between how people think and how they wish for their children to. In many places what is worn is shaped by the history and climate of the area, even beliefs.

While I was growing up, I was acutely aware of the assumptions that would be made if I wore something ‘Indian’ versus a pair of jeans (also very Indian at this point, but political groups might insist otherwise). My sari could reveal my waist and arms or not and that would be the difference between a Bollywood actress and my mother.

Here is a brief survey of what textbooks in India insist is ‘traditional’ for that region. It may not always be practiced, but it is lovely. Also, everything underneath is subject to changes in colour, embellishment and alterations in style, based on the wearer and time. A lot of it was captured during a festive event, so a more casual and simpler version would be what is worn at home.

/Punjab/

Girls celebrating Basant Panchami, a springtime festival.

/Haryana/

/ Kashmir /

Within Kashmir, there are a lot of interesting regional variations:

Ladakhi Dancers by Himanshu Khagta

Ladakhi woman by Brad Beaman

Also here is a lovely set of photos of men and women from the region by Walter Callens.

/ Uttar Pradesh /

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

/ Gujarat /