There are a lot of lehenga styles in India. A lehenga is a long skirt paired with a blouse and a dupatta. Lehengas are the festive or wedding attire. Each state in India creates lehengas differently. The material, the colors, the patterning, and working of the fabric are transformed from one state to another. This blog will tell you about 16 lehenga styles from various states. You will figure out what is unique about each style, so that all people can read and get informed about the lehenga styles.
Rajasthan Royal and Sequins Lehengas
Rajasthani lehengas are heavy and bright. They commonly employ bandhani tie and dye along with mirror work. Bandhani is a small dotted pattern made on the fabric. Mirror work is when little mirrors are embroidered onto the fabric. These lehengas feature heavy borders and lots of layers and are available in colors like red, pink, orange, and yellow. Rajasthani lehengas are meant for opulent weddings and regal style soirees. Bandhani and mirror work have been native to this region for centuries.
Gujarat Colorful Chaniya Choli Styles
The chaniya choli looks like a lehenga – these outfits are very colorful and frequently adorned during the Navratri festival. Gujarat lehengas are feature mirror work, thread embroidery, and vibrant prints. The skirts are wide and full, which allows women to move and dance. The designs frequently contain flowers and geometric motifs. These lehengas are joyous and energizing.
Punjab Flared and Lively Lehengas
Punjabi lehengas come in bright and loud colors. Many use phulkari embroidery & that means flower work patterns in big florals. These lehengas are also available in red, bright pink and green. The skirts flare and are very swingy. These lehengas are worn by women on weddings and other festivals. The dupatta can even be heavily embroidered. And bright colors, and a few heavy stitches combine to form the happy look of a Punjabi lehenga.
Uttar Pradesh Elegant Lucknowi Lehengas
Chikan is the specialty of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Chikankari is a technique in which white thread is embroidered onto soft, muslin-like fabric such as muslin, chanderi and silk. It’s very tiny, and it’s so neat and these lehengas appear soft and subtle. Chikankari lehengas are a hit among brides during day weddings and functions. There are many varieties of stitches in chikankari all of which lend an exquisite look to it.
Maharashtra Traditional Nauvari-Inspired Lehengas
The nauvari saree style even becomes a source of inspiration for some lehenga designs in Maharashtra. Paithani fabrics are famous here. Paithani has a rich contrast pallu and borders of glittering silk and gold. The lehenga style here has taken a cue from the heavy borders and temple patterns of Paithani. These lehengas are regal and perfect for mega weddings.
Graceful Lehengas of West Bengal
While a Bengali lehenga may not always be bright and festive, it’ll certainly have a story to tell. A few lehengas borrowed from Baluchari and Jamdani motifs. These are lehengas with good weaving and sublte prints. Red and white also make up the colors of Bengali traditional attire. They are usually finished in a clean and discreet way. They are selected as the perfect attire for simple but memorable ceremonies.
Bihar Folk-Inspired Lehengas
Madhubani painting is a traditional art form of Bihar. A few lehenga choli designs use prints and patterns derived from these folk paintings. The colors can alternate between earthy and intense. The designs narrate stories of village life and nature. These are artistic lehengas and they seem closer to the regional culture. They are a means of continuing folk art on modern clothes.
Madhya Pradesh Handloom and Tribal Influence Lehengas
A few lehenga styles have tribal patterns or prints. It’s a traditional, honest look. These lehengas are suitable for those girls who want to look beautifully classic yet simple. Madhya Pradesh has its own handloom fabrics, such as Maheshwari and Chanderi. Feature a lightweight fabric lehengas with a slight shine. The borders are sometimes woven and the motifs are not overly done, but strong.
Tamil Nadu Silk Centric Lehenga Designs
Made with the finest silk, Kanchipuram and Pochampally lehengas give a bride a luxurious traditional look. Kanjeevaram silk is well-known from Tamil Nadu. Kanjeevaram is known for its broad silk and golden zari border. Lehengas that go by the look of this silk are full rich and heavy. They frequently have temple borders and woven patterns that resemble old temple art. These are the lehengas, great for grand weddings, big festivals etc.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Temple Motifs & Rich Weaves
These lehengas are based on intricate geometric patterns and temple designs from Andhra and Telangana handwoven style. Here the colors are vivid, and the weave is rich. These lehengas appear rich and have access to old weaving art. The weaves tend to be slow and cautious, and they pack decades of skill.
Karnataka Heritage Silk Lehengas
Mysore silk and rich handlooms are accepted from Karnataka. Lehengas here can be slick and shiny. They are endowed with plain designs and firm silk value. A Mysore silk lehenga appears sleek and crisp. The style is straightforward, but touches of silk make it feel rich.
Kerala Minimal and Elegant Lehengas
Kasavu cloth of Kerala, which uses golden and white colors. Lehengas derived from this are soft in colour and modest in appearance. These are lehengas that exude cool, unflappable beauty. The end result is clean and classic, a popular option for weddings and classic ceremonies.
Woven Traditions of Assam in Lehenga Silhouette
Muga silk lehengas have a warm and rich feel. This silk was formerly for kings now adored as a “golden” coated fiber. Muga silk in a lehenga looks rich and unique. Assam makes Muga silk. You won’t have to modify the muga silk itself – it has a natural golden hue. It is strong and rare.
Odisha Ikat and Handwoven Beauty
Sambalpuri ikat with Lehengas have tidy and neat motifs and colors play. These are precious wares, because they require many steps to create them. Odisha is better known as Sambalpuri Ikat. This is a Daboo technique where threads are dyed and then woven. The patterns frequently soften at the edges and resemble soft forms.
J&K Soft and Luxurious Lehengas
Jammu and Kashmir produce soft fabric such as pashmina and employ fine thread embroidery. These types of Lehengas here would be warm and rich. The embroidery motifs are tiny and fine. These lehengas are best for cold temperatures and to give a soft and royal look.
Himachal Pradesh Lehenga Style
These lehenga styles are pretty warm and basic here. They’re made out of wool and heavy cloth. The aesthetic is more sweatpants and local craft. These lehengas keep women warm and traditional-looking at the same time.
Modern Regional Fusion Lehengas
Today, designers blend numerous regional styles. A lehenga might fit bandhani dots, chikankari stitches, ikat shapes and silk borders all together. These fusion lehengas have the best of several worlds. Young women love these mash-ups because they feel fresh, and they are laced with all kinds of stories.
Conclusion
They are now the ticket to enjoying India’s craft and color. Each state contributes, it’s own folktale to the lehenga. Some lehenga designs are heavy and royal. Some are soft and simple. Some are artful and handwoven. Every time you slip into a lehenga, you aren’t just wearing an ensemble – you’re dipping yourself in heritage and art. You’re also helping keep the craft of many weavers and artists alive. Hike in them and you will discover new cultures, people and their arts all over India.
