Traditional Dress of Telangana Men & Women

Telangana has a rich cultural heritage, and identity is expressed through language, festivals, and traditional dress. The dress of men and women provides an excellent overview of the values and craftsmanship of a part of Telangana's history.

Men's Traditional Dress
Typically in Telangana, men traditional dress is quite simple but very meaningful. Most men will wear a dhoti, or "pancha" to locals. The dhoti has many local terms, is typically cotton or silk, depending on the occasion. The dhoti is wrapped around the waist and tied up, providing comfort in hot weather.

During festivals or special events, men sometimes wear angarakhas or embroidered kurtas to commemorate the occasion. Men in agree themselves wear a cotton towel or scarf, known as "kanduva" often draped over their shoulders, which may consist of decorative borders or custom handloom bands.

For headwear, in certain regions, elderly men may wear a turban, though it is less common in urban areas today. Footwear is typically simple, with many opting for open sandals.

Traditional Dress for Women
The traditional dress of women in Telangana consists of sarees, which are draped using unique methods of draping in each region. The local woven cotton sarees, Ikat and Pochampalli, are popular for their vibrant colors and various woven patterns. Handloom sarees are traditionally worn with a blouse (choli) and would normally consist of a combination of gold/silver ornaments during Festivals, Worship, or a Wedding.

Langa Voni (also called half saree) is often worn by young girls (and unmarried ladies). Langa Voni is a practical outfit that consists of a skirt (langa), blouse, and long scarf (dupatta or voni). The dupatta or voni is draped on the shoulder with highly colorful patterns or colors. It is a beautiful garment, yet also indicates an important transition into womanhood in Telugu culture.

Women often wear cotton sarees, or salwar kameez sets, to wear every day, although culturally traditional dress is lovingly worn on special occasions, festivals, and religious occasions.

Changes in dress
Modern clothing for everyday purposes may have impacted the usage of traditional styles of dress in Telangana, but traditional styles still play an established role in events like Bathukamma and Bonalu. Traditional dress is made from more than cotton - they are suitable for festival wear to reflect identity, pride, and history for Telangana.