The dupatta is a shawl-like scarf, women's traditionally essential clothing from the Indian subcontinent. The dupatta is currently used most commonly as part of the women's shalwar kameez outfit, and worn over the kurta and the gharara.
Etymology
The word dupatta, originally from Sanskrit is a combination of du- and patta, i. e., scarf usually doubled over the head.
History
Early evidence of the dupatta can be traced to the Indus valley civilization, where the sculpture of a priest-king whose left shoulder is covered with some kind of a chaddarsuggests that the use of the dupatta dates back to this early Indic culture. Early Sanskrit literature has a wide vocabulary of terms for the veils and scarfs used by women during the ancient period, such as avagunthana, uttariya, mukha-pata, and siro-vastra. The dupatta is believed to have evolved from the ancient uttariya.
Use
The dupatta is worn in many regional styles across the Indian subcontinent. Originally, it was worn as a symbol of modesty. While that symbolism still continues, many today wear it as just a decorative accessory. There is no single way of wearing the dupatta, and as time evolves and fashion modernizes, the style of the dupatta has also evolved. A dupatta is traditionally worn across both shoulders and around the head. However, the dupatta can be worn like a cape around the entire torso. The material for the dupatta varies according to the suit. There are various modes of wearing dupatta. When not draped over the head in the traditional style, it is usually worn with the middle portion of the dupatta resting on the chest like a garland, with the ends thrown over each shoulder. When the dupatta is worn with the shalwar-kameez, it is casually allowed to flow down the front and back. In current fashions, the dupatta is frequently draped over one shoulder, and even over just the arms. Another recent trend is the short dupatta, which is more a scarf or a stole, often worn with a kurti and Indo-Western clothing. Essentially, the dupatta is often treated as an accessory in current urban fashion. When entering a mosque, dargah, church or gurdwara, Indian women cover their head with a dupatta. It is also draped around the head, save for the eyes, as protection against pollution or the sun. But is criticised for its use as cloth face mask. A dupatta used as a covering for the head and face is called a ghoonghat in north Inida.
