Gagra choli

Female Model posing in Ghagra Choli

Gagra choli or Ghagra choli, which is also known as Lehenga choli, is the traditional clothing of women in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Chaniya choli is another term commonly used to refer it. It is a combination outfit of a Lehenga, tight Choli and a Dupatta.

Illustration of different regional variations of Ghagra choli worn by women in South Asia.

Lehenga

Lehenga or Ghagra is a form of skirt which is long, embroidered and pleated. It is worn as the bottom portion of a Gagra choli. It is secured at the waist and leaves the lower back and midriff bare. It was introduced by the Mughals. Lehenga is a typical feminine silhouette that epitomizes style, craftsmanship, quality and class of Indian clothing.

Fabrics

The lehengas are made of a number of fabrics such as Silk, Cotton, Georgette, Crape, Net, Satin, Brocade and Chiffon. Even though designers have successfully used the various kinds of fabrics for making the lehenga, silk is still the most preferred fabric. Silk Lehenga is considered to be the most beautiful version of old traditional attire, as it used to be in Mughal era. Silk lehengas are timelessly classic. They have been in vogue since olden times and will always remain so. They own a special place in the fashion world as they are suitable to be worn for all occasions.

Decorative Stitching

Apart from the fabric, decorative stitching patterns also play a role. Lehengas come with a wide variety of decoration work like zari, zardozi, embroidery, diamante work, beads embroidery work, kundan work, mirror work, etc.

Styles of Ghagra choli

The ghagra cholis can be worn in different styles. The styles basically differ based on the lehenga designs. Following are some of the basic styles;

Picture	Style	Description
	A-line Lehenga	A-line lehengas are typical. They flow down in A-shape and are ideal for pear shaped brides.
	Circular Lehenga	Circular lehenga, as the name suggests, is circular in shape and has a large circumference. This style is the pick of those who yearn for exclusivity and elegance.
	Fishtail/Mermaid Lehenga	Fishtail Lehenga sticks to your body from the waistline and flares down at the bottom, apt for the curvaceous and an hourglass frame. This sort is flawless for those who love to go glam.It is somewhat similar to the Hobble skirt of the Western Fashion.
	Panelled Lehenga	Panelled lehenga, the best lehenga, offers the right amount of flare and a perfect fall.
	Straight Cut Lehenga	Straight cut lehenga is the customary style of Bridal Lehenga. It flows down in a parallel manner and fits every shape and body type. With straight cut and tapered Lehenga, it is advisable to have soft fabrics rather than stiffer fabrics.

A Rajput bride wearing a pink lehenga.

Festive Attire

The lehenga choli is the favourite female apparel worn during festivals, weddings or special events in India. This is due to traditions as well as of the fact that it is available in a number of fabrics with many different decorative choices. Traditionally the sari and the lehenga choli are the most popular garments for the bride in India. But it is a common bridal attire mostly in North India.

Femina Miss India 2011 Contestants in low-rise ghagra cholis.

Modern Fashion

Due to modern fashion trends, lehenga cholis have now become a fashion statement. The cholis has become shorter and is sometimes substituted with Western crop top, halter neck or baby doll tops. Along with saris, low-rise navel revealing ghaghra cholis have emerged. Designer Manish Malhotra's Fashion Week collections regularly highlight low waisted ghaghras accompanied by short cholis. Such ghagra cholis are more commonly worn by the Bollywood celebrities.For example, Actress Priyanka Chopra was featured in a low rise ghagra choli designed by designer Ritu Kumar on the opening show of the HDIL India Couture Week 2008 held in Mumbai. At the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2011, she was featured in a low rise ghagra choli designed by Neeta Lulla. Recently in the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011 event,all the finalists walked the ramp in modern white low-rise ghagra cholis.

Bollywood Celebrities in Ghagra Cholis

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  Anjana Sukhani at Lakme Fashion Week.

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  Shriya Saran at Aamby Valley City India Bridal Week 2010.

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  Soha Ali Khan at Beti Gitanjali's show at IIJW 2011.

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  Raima Sen at Geetanjali Luxury Style Festival 2007.

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  Amisha Patel walks for Rocky S at Aamby Valley City India Bridal Week 2011.

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  Yuvika Chaudhary in Sabbah Khan Show at Lakme Fashon Week 2011.

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  Geeta Basra on day 1 of Lakme Fashion Week 2011.

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  Raageshwari at The Indian princess Finale at Chitrakoot, Andheri, Mumbai.

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  Mugdha Godse at HDIL Invitation cup awards 2011 night at Race Course.

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  Bruna Abdullah at Anmol jewellers 25th anniversary bash at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

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  Sofia Hayat at Lakme fashion Week 2011 Day 4.

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  Hindi television actress Ragini Khanna at Star Parivaar Awards Promo Shoot in Mumbai.

Item Numbers

Item numbers have found its place in Bollywood from the early 1950s.It required revealing clothes for the dancing female to look attractive.But the ghagra choli being worn for an item number became popular due to Madhuri Dixit's performance in the film Khalnayak(1993) for the controversial song "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai" in a red ghagra choli. After which many number of Bollywood item numbers had featured the female dancer in a ghagra choli outfit. Of which the most famous are the ones performed by actress Malaika Arora Khan. She featured in revealing ghagra cholis for the hit songs "Chaiyya Chaiyya" in Dil Se (1998) and "Munni Badnam" in Dabangg (2010). Even today most of Bollywood's item numbers feature revealing ghagra cholis.

External links

• Information on Ghagra choli

See also

• Lehenga Style Saree