**There is no denying that the Indian state has hegemonic designs on the “subcontinent” since it’s inception. The vast reach of it’s media has cemented the concept of ‘indian culture’ whether it holds any substance or not. The fact that many facets of the "subcontiental’ ethncities, relgions identities, and cultures are fused together in big money making machine of Bollywood further labels everything “Indian”. While searching fo shalwar qameez, the undisputed garment of Pakistani orgin, I come acrose “salwar” and not “shalwar” , indian sponserd links on google that are popped up whenever Pakistan+fashion is the key word is typed.
Now their is talk of India’s designers collobourting with Pakistanis. Yes, the consumers might be happy, but it totally destroys and eats away at the root of our cultural identity. India has for a long time fused muslim garments, cultures, along with muslim identites to “own” it. If Pakistanis joins them it will be the further proof of “bharati” propaganda of same culture theme, (most of which is a dictate of BOLLYWOOD) **
I see a big problem here and concern For Pakistan’s identity and culture that is considerably have been hijacked by india through it’s vast media. I would like to see more Pakistani designers be launched in the international market, and shows abroad so that it can cement our independance, culturally and identity wise. More Pakistanis should be web wise, as the internet has more power and reaches a vast audiance. So the biggest designers shouldn’t sleep for years to update or lauch a website. They should open online stores, and a offical Pakistani fashion site should be launched.
NO more ‘cultural’ shows-Pakistanis should sutly target Indian consumers by going there, but by not becoming an “agent” of Indian cultural promotion themselves. They should boost themselves at home, and cleverly target Overseas consumers that have assumed Pakistani fashion.
**Pakistani fashion is just not about bussiness, it’s about our identity culture, history and heritage. A clothes that a nation wears, speaks volumes about it’s culture. **
i don't think india has hijacked pakistani fashion the problem is with our own pakistani people who prefer to wear bollywood style shalwar kameez instead of more traditional pakistani shalwar kameez.
But shalwar/kamis isn't exclusively a Pakistani a dress. Neither Shalwar/Kamis is a common dress in Pakistan. In rural Punjab and Sindh, the common dress is probably something else. Shalwar/Qamis is a national dress in Northern Areas, Baluchistan, NWFP, and the neighbouring Afghanistan and Tajakistan.
It is truly a national dress of Tajakistan and Afghanistan.
risingsun-i totally agree with u. I pulled up some websites selling paki clothes but they were originally listed under indian clothes....They probably do it to attract an audience which is more knowledgeable of india as opposed to pakistan which is because of the whole bollywood/media explosion.the same applies to restaurants....
lol the truth is indian shalwars are just as BLAH as indian food....go to ritukumar.com and check out indias best designer's designs..........
& check out the horribly made shalwars in jackson heights.....
paki models, designers...all have greater potential relative to the much greater population of india. They also have more class. its about time we stopped looking at trashy bollywood and promoting our skills.
here's an article i found about the origins of the shalwar kameez:
About its history, Shalwar-Kameez came to the Indo-Pak Subcontinent with the Central Asian invaders, who are in fact credited for introducing stitched clothing to this part of the world.
It is said, before their advent here, the natives used to mostly sport unstitched clothes called Lungis or Dhotis. Lungis or Dhotis are skirt like nether garments, which are wrapped and tucked around waist. It is worn with a shirt or a vest on top and is still dressed, by both men & women, in many parts of this region.
We do know, however, that the word “Shalwar” is of Turkish origin. Variation of this classical dress form can be found all along the Central Asian plateau and in those countries invaded by or having some association with the famous Mongols, Arabs, Turks or other great Eastern conquerors.
In Bangladesh, this dress is still known as “Punjabi”; implying a dress worn mostly by the Punjabis (army & bureaucrats) during pre-1971era when it was East Pakistan. In India, however, this is called Pathani Suit or KhanSuit when donned by men; while, when sported by women it is known by the same name that is, Shalwar-kameez. Shalwar here is pronounced as Salwar, though.
Some say it is known as the “Pathani Suit because of the Shalwar-Kameez donned Kaabli Pathans of Kabul who introduced this dress here. They were historically known in these regions already for two things: as a travelling businessmen, bringing in goods from Central Asia, and as notorious money lenders; on compound interests.
As long as burkhas are not made/designed in India then pakistan can prevent Indians hijacking their fashion trade. I think pakistanis should wear only the "real" pakistani dress, the burkha.That way, The bollywood can not influence pakistani fashion because how will they ever produce a movie with Aishwaira Ray in burkha for three hours?. Also how will she be able to perform a "choli ke pichhe kya hai" trashy number with burkha? What is she gonna perform.."burkhe ke under kya hai?"
although shalwar kamiz is not originally a paki dress....pak was the first to develop the modern form .... indians initially concentrated on saris and lenghas.
when we talk abt pak talent not being given enough credit we mean that modern form.....
i guess......too early in the morning to get my thoughts right...need more coffee......
