Phiran

The traditional outfit for both males and females in Kashmir is the phiran (or pheran) and poots. The phiran and poots consist of two gowns, one over the other. The traditional phiran and poots extends to the feet, which was popular up to the late 19th century C.E. However, a relatively modern variation of the phiran and poots extends to below the knees, which is worn with a suthan (loose form of shalwar) similar to the styles worn in Afghanistan. It is optional to wear the suthan with a long phiran as traditionally lower garments are not worn with phirans. The traditional phiran and poots do not have side slits.

In summer, the phiran and poots are made of cotton, but in winter, the poots are made out of cotton and the phiran of wool, covering and protecting the body from the cold. These dresses are used by the residents of the Kashmir valley.

There is no consensus as to the origin of the word 'pheran'. However, it seems that the word is a corruption of the Persian word 'perahan' which means shirt. The outfit has been envogue in Kashmir since before the 15th century.

Hindu females use a “taranga”, a headdress which becomes smaller down at back, towards the heels. Islamic Kashmiri females use a red headwear known as the “kasaba”. The kasaba is padded by means of a turban and is pinned together by brooches. A pin-scarf revoked from the kasaba descends towards the neck.

The phiran is a loose upper garment loosely gathered at the sleeves which tend to be wide, made of either wool or jamewar which is a mixture of wool and cotton, with no side slits. A phiran made of wool is called a 'loch'. Female phiran dresses are designed with colorful flower elements and styles. Male phiran dresses are quite simple without any colourful designs.

The traditional phiran falls to the feet like a gown which was universally worn by the Hindu and Muslim communities into the later 19th century C.E. However, a modern version is knee-length and is worn by Muslim people which is loose and stitched at the front side and on the finishes while Hindu people wear their phirans long, extending down their legs. Ankle length Phirans are tied at the waist. Intricate embroideries or flower styles are a popular function of a Kashmiri ladies phiran. The embroideries or flower Styles are made of thin metal threads and this kind of embroidery is known as 'Tille' in Kashmiri language.

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Wikipedia