SHARARA SETS

Sharara set
The sharara set has been one of the most unique symbols of the Mughal period (16th-19th century). The dress comprises a long flared bottom which is paired with a short Kurta and heavy dupatta. The mughals brought with them luxurious fabrics, intricate detailing and embroideries

Origin (16th-18th Century)
This dress originated at this time period. At that time period the royal Queens and Princesses had a lavish lifestyle and used to wear extravagant clothing. This was their attire in the royal court and their dresses were specially crafted by masters weavers and on expensive fabrics like Silk, Velvet and Brocade.

There was a similar style of dress called Gharara which resembled Sharara but had pleating details on the joint on the bottom which made it more fluffy and with gathers.

Nawabi Era (18th-19th Century)
During the period of Nawabs of Awadh ( current day Uttar Pradesh) the Sharara flourished a lot. It was the everyday dress for the elite women and they made more embellished versions of it for ceremonial functions.
There was a lot of influence of Lucknow’s famous Chikankari on these dresses and the distinct weaving of Jamdani and Banarasi made an even more elegant impression.
The dress engulfed more and more grandeur with the use of lace, voluminous pleating , shiny fabrics and heavy embroidery.
Colonial and Post Independence Era (19th-20th Century)
During the Colonial period there was a lot of influence of western fashion trends in India. Sharara was unphased with this changing trend. It became a staple for Muslim community for their weddings and any special events.
Gold and heavy Sharara and Gharara sets were popularized by Hyderabadi Muslim as their wedding attire.
Pakistan, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Bangladesh still had the tradition of wearing these clothes on their special days.
Even after partition Pakistani women wear Sharara on their wedding day.
There was a slow decline of this garment in the middle of the 20th century as Lehenga, Saree and Kurta sets became more popular.
Sharara back in fashion (Late 20th Century to present)
Sharara came back slightly into the mainstream in the 1990s and early 2000s because of the major Bollywood influence. Actors like Aishwarya Rai, Karishma Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit donned this garment in the movies and made a statement.
There were indo western elements that were incorporated in it like crop tops with Sharara and lighter fabrics which were airy. Printed material which gave a more contemporary look was made famous.

Modern Times (2020s)
A lot of different variations of sharara have come up in the current period. This set has proved to be a versatile addition to a woman’s wardrobe. Modern adaptations are :