Celebrating Indian Ethnicity On Independence Day

It is a proud moment for Indians worldwide! Just as the country gears up to celebrate its 75th year of independence, its festive vibe is exceptionally high. From our office desk to social media profile pictures, tri-color is everywhere.

Amidst such enthusiasm, we incline some retrospection to see what all we’ve carried along. Even after global dispersion, Indians are successful at holding on to the rich Indian cultural heritage, one of the few in the world that can be traced back to over 5000 years.

A Treasured Legacy

The traditional elements are prominent in our lifestyle, from what we eat to the outfits we prefer in our closets. Despite strong influence from the west part of the world, Indian women flaunt the saree and other forms of ethnic wear as a trendy style statement.

While the everyday routines are closely wrapped in the time-honored Indian culture, its impact is visible during weddings. The red lehenga and traditional Banarasi saree stand apart as every bride’s dream, no matter which part of the world she decides to walk the aisle.

The richness of the Indian culture has intrigued not just indigenous and global Indians but also people from the other nationalities, including royal families and Hollywood celebrities. People have embraced Yoga, artistic handloom sarees, and the old-world charm unique to forms of Indian embroidery.

Several international brands like Zara, Versace, and many more have opulent runway collections detailed with zardozi handwork and similar craftsmanship made in different regions of India.

The Beauty of Indian Handlooms

No matter how far the world progresses in the field of textiles with automatic power looms, nothing can match the beauty of a hand-woven piece of fabric. India has a history of weavers that have been highly dedicated to creating magic with yarns, thus putting India on the global map as a well-known trade zone for hand-woven fabrics.

Handloom cotton and silk sarees are prized possessions for Indian women. The ostentatious appeal of brocade silk sarees and the grandeur of Kanchipuram sarees have taken on the world. These days even foreigners fondly drape the saree and carry off hand-embroidered salwar suits, corroborating the distinguishing and irreplaceable beauty of Indian handloom and art.

With the growth of e-commerce and the rising number of online shopping sites, people from all over the world have easy access to handloom products made in small towns of India and signature runway collections of celebrity designers like Sabyasachi Mukerjee promoting hand-woven fabrics and hand-embroidery as essential ingredients.

The Essence of Tri-Color

On every Indian Independence Day, most Indian citizens dress up in saffron, white, and green-colored outfits- the Indian National flag palette, to celebrate their freedom. Most offices and colleges also follow a tri-color dress code, while restaurants introduce special menus of tri-colored food presentations.

This year, as the nation indulges in saffron, white, and green, let us know about the significance of these hues and have a look at ethnic outfit ideas for each of them.

• Saffron

Saffron, a lighter tone of orange, is the top-most band of the ‘Tiranga’. It stands for bravery, sacrifice, and the desire to put the nation above individual desires. Besides being a patriotic color, saffron or orange is also a bright and effervescent hue.

Shades of orange have religious and auspicious connections, making it a popular festive color. Orange sharara and Anarkali suits are apt for festive celebrations like Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Lohri, while an orange lehenga choli makes a lovely wedding wear choice.

An orange saree goes well as a dress code for an Independence Day meet in a formal or social setting. A bright orange Kurti dress is an eye-catching option for a college function or an outing with your friends.

• White

White is the color of light- the inclination towards truth and righteousness. Having adopted the virtues of truth and non-violence from Mahatma Gandhi, white denotes the aura of peace that India strives to maintain perpetually.

A popular summer favorite, white ethnic outfits make a highly versatile option for office meetings, leisurely outings, and even wedding parties. WHite colored-outfits, breaking away from traditionally mourning semantics, are acing the trend factor for seasons. Following the trend, a white Anarkali style fusion dress styled with heavy jhumki earrings would be a gracefully glam pick for Independence Day.

You can also create a chic and comfy look with a minimal white palazzo suit elevated with bohemian accessories.

• Green

Forming the last band of our national flag, green denotes the strength of our roots and the ideology of being constantly connected to Mother Nature. Green symbolizes life; it’s the color that soothes, creating a feeling of peace and delight.

While the Indian flag has a medium tone of green, this versatile palette has multiple tones that range from pure elegance to loud vibrancy. A light pale or pastel green saree or contemporary salwar suit worn with pearls looks apt for classy brunch get-togethers and house parties. Since it is Independence Day, you might as well adorn some of the most cherished prints like Bandhej and Leheriya to augment the cultural feel of your outfit.

Darker tones like bottle green, olive, and Mehendi go well with the ambiance of evening occasions. If you’re attending an evening social meet, then a green Anarkali suit or an embroidered palazzo suit will be a suitable wardrobe option. Choose an outfit having metallic shimmers and complement it with a gem-studded clutch bag.

After all these years of independence, Indians still carry undying spirit of patriotism which goes beyond flaunting tricolored outfits and singing freedom songs. It is the ideology and the deep-rooted value system adhered to by Indians worldwide which ensures that our culture will have a perpetual life.

We wish you all a Happy Independence Day!