There was a time when you saw Maharashtrian women everywhere wearing these beautiful khun blouses, with traditional cotton sarees. These days, though, it looks like only the older generation is still wearing them.
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I guess the younger generation has shifted to polyster and nylon sarees, with matching "2x2" blouses. What a pity. The khun is really a gorgeous fabric, that retains colour and lustre even after several washings.
On a recent trip to Dadar, I bought myself a golden-yellow khun. It was folded into a neat triangle for me to take away. The shop keeper took great pride in folding it correctly, and demonstrated the technique for me to learn (so if any of you want lessons in blouse-folding, just ask!)
I teamed the blouse with a plain rust-coloured saree, and a necklace of amber and silver. The minute I wore it, I felt good. Maybe it was the golden glow of the khun, or maybe it was the pleasure of rediscovering something traditional - but I felt absolutely on top of the world.
This is of course, not the first time that I have fallen under the spell of traditional fabrics. But it's not just me, you know. That evening, my sis took one look at the blouse and said "Heyyyy, this is nice! I want one too...tell me where you got it!"
The khun had found yet another fan.
P.S: For those who're wondering how 'khun' is pronounced, it rhymes with 'bun'
17 comments:
Hey Deepa, I love reading your blog. I will be there in Mumbai in a couple of weeks. As my parents stay in King Circle, I am sure to shop around Dadar. This time I will definately take home a blouse of khand. Thanks for sharing this article.
Didn't know this fabric was called Khand - I love this fabric.Made pouches (surukku pai) a couple of years with this material for navarathri taamboola gifts
Deepa, I love this fabric but I didnt know what its called. Thanks for enlightening me. Where does one get this and what do you ask for at the shop? Do you know of any place in the suburbs where I can get it?
I've flipped for that gorgeous blue with black border in your first photo.
Deepa,
A small correction. The fabric is called Khan (kh-eu-n).
Sujata
Thanks, Sujata.
Hey Sunita, after reading large parts of The Urban Gardener I couldn't figure out which suburb you live in (central suburbs? western suburbs?)
Just walk around in the markets and keep your eyes open :)
If you go to a matching centre, maybe you can ask for Maharashtrian blouse and see what they say?
It is Khan without the D. I bought 2 pieces last year, one from a store in Matunga Market and one from Athavle Shahade in Dadar BB. If you get a long enough piece, like I did, you could make it into a parkar polka/pavadai for your little one (back in the old days, that's what little girls wore).
very interesting...! and you very nice in yours!
jeanne
san francisco, ca, usa
www.worldonaplate.org
OK, so I fixed the spelling!
Khun
Khun
Khun
There. It is said thrice and now cast in stone!
Really nice article. Keep it up!
Hi Deepa,
I can't tell you how delighted I am to have stumbled upon your blog :)
Now I have something to look forward to read on days I am busy at work and just want a break. Thanks.
Love,
Kusum
This looks lovely. Any chance you can take a closer picture of you wearing your khun blouse? ... it is hard to appreciate how it hangs from these pictures...since it is covered by a sari, I can't tell how much torso it covers...
It ends, like all good blouses, just under the breasts, baring the midriff.
Which of course, if you ask any of the menfolk in my country, is one of the blouse's chief attractions.
I am past the age of midriff display, unfortunately, and must stick with modest photographs!
Fabulous pick! My mum still wears these with her Narayan Peth sarees. :)
Which shop in Dadar is this, if I may ask?
This has been my favorite fabric..quite intriguing...sadly this beautiful fabric has not been rightly used in designs....
hi i m a designer n i did my fashion designing from nift mumbai ......4 years in mumbai i used to often see old maharashtrian women wearing blouses of this amazing fabric.later i realised it was a traditional maharashtrian fabric n i feel in love with it.well could'nt do much about it but at the end i used the fabric in my graduating collection.i used it in a very minimal form but i m sure sometime later in life i'll definately use it in a big scale...n show the world how amazing it is!!!
there is a shop in mangaldaas market near crawford that sells only this!!!
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