Costumes of Chamba

Gaddi folk dancers and singers in traditional costumes

Just as in rest of India the day to day attire in Chamba consists of trousers and shirts for men and sarees and salwar-kurta for women. However, unlike many other states, Chamba is very rich in traditional costume. In ancient time, men in Chamba wore woolen blankets known as ‘pattu’ around their waist; this they tied with a patka. The women too wore full-length dresses made of wool. 

Gaddi Traditional costume

The Gaddi men used to wear a loose fitting woolen garments known as chola; it was always white in color and was girdled with a black woolen rope. The chola was generally accompanied by a white pointed cap. 

 

They would also use the pattu and patti as a shawl and drape it around themselves in times of rain and cold to protect and keep themselves warm.

Gujjars on the other hand, preferred red, blue and black.

Painting on street wall depicting costumes

Traditional costume today 

The mode of dressing has undergone a change since then. Today the traditional dresses worn by women in Chamba consist of a pyjama known as ‘suthan’ and a ‘pairahan’ which covers the upper part of the body. She also has a chaddar or dupatta covering her head. The women of Chamba prefer wearing very bright colors amongst which pinks, oranges, greens and blues are the most common.

The ceremonial dresses are more elaborate. In such time, women wear a full length gown accompanied by a blouse that covers the upper part of the body up to the waist. It is known as Pashwaj. The traditional dresses worn by men consist of tight fitting pyajama and a knee length tunic known as ‘angrakha’.

Traditional ornaments of Chamba

The Chamba men and women alike are very fond of jewelry and ornamentation. Piercings and jewelry can be seen more so on the elders than the youngsters. Sometimes, the ornaments served more purpose than just aesthetics or status symbol.

The late queen of Chamba would use this ring to apply her makeup, look at her enemies in the back and also store poison inside this ring.

But generally, the women in Chamba wear different types of ornaments made out of silver and gold. They come in gorgeous designs and look truly pretty. The head ornaments too come in different varieties. Following are few of them: Shangli is a long silver chain worn round the head. Chudamoni are worn at the parting of the hair and comes in shape of a lotus.

 

Chiri Tikka is another gorgeous jewelry worn by the women of Chamba. Chiri means bird. Shirka Chamkui is mainly used by the Gujjar women and worn in pair at the two sides of the head Chak is mainly used by Gaddi women and come in different varieties.