Time to go traditional

One really doesn’t need a specific reason to dress up — but during the festival season, the euphoric atmosphere prompts people to put a little extra effort into their attire. This year is no exception.

Bangaloreans are all geared up to do a bit of shopping and ensure they look their best. Metrolife speaks to a few to find out what their festival attire is going to be.

Afzal Taher, an IT professional, says that Deepavali is the time to rekindle the light within oneself and definitely deserves a special way of celebration. He says, “I celebrate Deepavali by wearing traditional clothes every year. I will wear a classic kurta and pajama. This year, I have got engaged and I will have my fiancée to celebrate with. So, I am really looking forward to this festival. I am also gifting my fiancée some traditional Indian outfits, which perfectly suit the occasion.”

The festive season also gives women a great excuse to shop. Gauri Seshadri, an engineer, says, “I love shopping and Deepavali is a great reason to shop more. I prefer traditional clothes — since I wear jeans everyday, they make me feel feminine. I would love to wear a sari but I don’t know how to drape one. So, I will wear an anarkali suit. It will definitely be grander than the normal ones. I would like to match it with antique silver earrings. I like the old classic pieces; I feel they look very beautiful compared to the modern designs.”

Darshan, the owner of clothes showroom, says that during Deepavali, there is good demand for traditional clothes.

He says, “Sales of saris and anarkali suits have increased five times. People are shopping exclusively for the festival. Even men are asking for kurta-sherwani. It seems that people are celebrating Deepavali in a grand way at their homes.” Shri Usha, a student, feels that festivals are best celebrated in traditional, Indian attire. She says, “For Deepavali, I will be wearing a half-sari as I am not a big fan of anarkali suits. My attire is a bright shade of mustard yellow, so I will be wearing Kundan jewellery with it. I will have a Lakshmi Puja at home — I love making a rangoli in the aangan. I will also light diyas. This is my
way of celebrating this joyful festival.”