Vocabulary: India

Note that there are more than 40 languages spoken on the Indian sub-continent which explans much about the variety of names for garments and accessories.

• bindi
• choli: short mid-riff baring blouse that generally has short sleeves and has a center back or center front closure. Other words for blouses include kanjara, mashru, and kamchali
• chandla: a small ornament made from metal (gold) or tinsel (foil) that is glued on the forehead.  It's glued on not painted on.
• dhoti
• dupatta
• kameez
• Kashmir: An important textile situated between India and Tibet. It became an autonomous "state" in 2019 after much political turmoil between India, Pakistan, and Kashmit since the middle of the 20th century.  Known in the West as the home of cashmere which is found on the cashmere goat
• Kolkata: Then important city in India (formerly known as Calcutta). The style of sari style more often worn in Kolkata generally wraps from front to back; Bengali style is more often back to front
• lehenga: technically a skirt which is worn with choli and dupatta; the entire ensemble is often referred to as a lehenga; it can be worn for weddings. Another word for skirt is ghaghara
• mashru:  silk fabric, often used for sari, which has a very fine weave and a satin face.  It is often woven in bright colors and can be found with patterns of stripes, and sometimes, an Ikat weave
• salwar
• sari (saree)
• sirwaal
• tikka

Last updated: 4/30/2021