Beauty Culture: The Choli for the Modern Bride

A trousseau comes in the most vibrant colour and decor at an Indian wedding. As grand ans ritualistic the wedding, the ornamental and traditional would be the bride.

India is not a small country: spanning 3,287,263 square kilometers and with 28 states, it is a country that has for thousands of years, had varied traditions and cultures within it. The differences among the regional attire and thereby the bridal dresses are extensive, but we can generalize on the basic Indian bridal design - the Indian Bridal Saree or the Bridal Lehenga Choli. This time, the Bride and Groom Magazine (B&G) brings you a descriptive break down with a modern twist of - the Lehenga Choli, a two piece outfit which consists of a long flared skirt (Lehenga) and a blouse (Choli).

The Choli
The length of the Choli can be just beyond the hip, up to the midriff or at times, exposing the midriff. The sleeves are usually cropped short, but in integrating modern styles,brides can have longer sleeves, while the neck can be cut in many different ways - round, square or to any shape required. And keeping with modern times, it can be made into a corset blouse.

The Lehenga
The Lehenga can be worn in several types of shapes: A-line Lehenga - Slightly faired in the shape of the letter A - B&G suggests this for pear shaped brides Circular Lehenga - With a large flair, the bottom of the Lehenga is circular - B&G suggests this for tall brides Mermaid Lehenga - Tapering along the body from waistline to knees or slightly lower, it flairs out at the bottom-shows of the curves of the bride with an hourglass figure Paneled Lehenga- not too straight or flared, the shape just falls elegantly - for any height Straight Cut Lehenga and suits any body shape and height.

Material
Varied material can be use for your Bridal Lehenga:
* Silk or Satin- for the most exqui site look
* Brocade and Chiffon - for a grand royal look
* Cotton - for comfort and suitable for warm weather
* Georgette, Crape or Net - depends on your body shape

Embellishment and Embroidery
As much as the design changes from territory to territory in India, so does the type of work done on the Bridal Lehenga Choli. It could be one or more of the following:

* Rich gold (Zardozi) or silver string embroidery
* Mirror work
* Zircon or stone embellishment
* Diamante work
* Velvet patchwork
* Brocade
* Sequins
* Tinsel Thread in Gold or silver (jari)

The shawl, which is a part of the Lehenga choli can of the same material, or that of net or similar, with exquisite tassels. It can be worn over the head to give that traditional look or worn simply draped around the arms.

The Jewellery
for the hair:

Shringar Patti or Maang Tikka The bride wears the Shringar Patti along her hairline with a flat circular design hanging at the end, placed on her forehead. This piece of jewellery is made of gold. The Maang Tikka is similar to the shringar patti and worn in the same manner, the only differences is that instead of the gold chain that goes along the middle parting of the hair, it is made of string with a hook which catches on to hair at the back of the head.

Face
Earrings (Karn Phool): The shape and color is selected according to the design and color of the bridal wear. It is most often made of gold and matches the necklace.

Nath (Nose Ring): This is not a must for SriLankans in adopting the Lehenga choli. But it is indeed part if the Indian jewellery selection for a bride. The studded nose ring has chain attached to it: it falls in front of the face ending above the ear, hooking on to the hair.

Kajal: Kajal is thick black eyeliner applied on the eyelids, both above and below the eyes.

Necklace (Hair)

Mangal Sutra (Necklace with Black Beads):
The bride groom ties this around the bride in the day of marriage. In Sri Lankan customs the necklace can vary.

Arm and hands

Baaju Band (Arm Bands): These gold bands can make a bride attractive. But choose to wear it only if it matches the bridal dress. You can wear on one or both arms.

Chudi (Bangles): The Indian bride wears gold or glass bangles. You can choose which ones you'd like to wear.

Hathphool (Bracelet with Rings): This piece of jewellery is worn on the wrist and the fingers! How you may ask: the bracelet is worn around the wrist and several rings on the fingers with thin gold chains or strings linking each ring to the bracelet. This is not compulsory to be worn in the Indian bridal attire.

Anguthi (Finger Rings):
The Indian bride wears gold rings (sometimes adorned with stone / diamonds) on all fingers, including the wedding ring.