Kurta

A kurta is a traditional item of clothing worn in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is a loose shirt falling either just above or somewhere below the knees of the wearer, and is worn by both men and women. It can be worn with a dhoti, loose salwar pants, churidar pants (a tight-fitting variant of the salwar), as well as jeans. Kurtas are worn both as casual everyday wear and as formal dress.
communion veil
Western women often wear inexpensive imported kurtis as blouses, usually over jeans. These kurtis are typically much shorter than the traditional garments and made with a lighter materials, like those used in sewing kameez. Imported kurtas were fashionable in the 1960s and 1970s, as an element of hippie fashion, fell from favor briefly, and are now again fashionable. South Asian women may also wear this Western adaptation of South Asian fashion. Formal kurtas are usually custom-made by South Asian tailors, who work with the fabric their customers bring them. South Asians overseas, and Westerners, can buy them at South Asian clothing stores or order them from web retailers. A traditional kurta is composed of rectangular fabric pieces with perhaps a few gusset inserts, and is cut so as to leave no wasted fabric. The cut is usually simple, although decorative treatments can be elaborate. The sleeves of a traditional kurta fall straight to the wrist; they do not narrow, as do many Western-cut sleeves. Sleeves are not cuffed, just hemmed and decorated. The front and back pieces of a simple kurta are also rectangular. The side seams are left open for 6-12 inches above the hem, which gives the wearer some ease of movement. The kurta usually opens in the front; some styles, however, button at the shoulder seam. The front opening is often a hemmed slit in the fabric, tied or buttoned at the top; some kurtas, however, have plackets rather than slits. The opening may be centered on the chest, or positioned off center. A traditional kurta does not have a collar. Modern variants may feature stand-up collars of the type known to tailors and seamstresses as "mandarin" collars. These are the same sort of collars seen on achkans, sherwanis, and Nehru jackets. Materials Kurtas worn in the summer months are usually made of thin silk or cotton fabrics; winter season kurtas are made of thicker fabric such as wool (as in Kashmiri kurtas) or Khadi silk, a thick, coarse, handspun and handwoven silk that may be mixed with other fibers. Kurtas are typically fastened with tasseled ties, cloth balls and loops, or buttons. Ready-made kurtas often avoid the use of horn buttons, in deference to Hindu sentiments; such buttons are frequently made from cow or buffalo hooves or horns. Buttons are often wood or plastic. Kurtas worn on formal occasions might feature decorative metal buttons, which are not sewn to the fabric, but, like cufflinks, are fastened into the cloth when needed. Such buttons can be decorated with jewels, enameling, and other traditional jewelers' techniques. South Asian tailors command a vast repertoire of methods, traditional and modern, for decorating fabric. It is likely that all of them have been used, at one time or another, to decorate kurtas. However, the most common decoration is embroidery. Many light summer kurtas feature Chikan embroidery around the hems and front opening. This embroidery is typically executed on light, semi-transparent fabric in a matching thread. The effect is ornate but subtle.
About the Author

Himfr is a scholar, focusing his research on Chinese cultures. If you are interested in purchasing China goods, please visit www.himfr.com

Ten tips to Kuching

1. Taste Kuching's favourite noodle dish called "kolo mee". This simple noodle dish with slices of barbecued pork, a sprinkling of spring onions and a bowl of soup drives Kuchingites (that's what we call people from Kuching) abroad mad with desire. Available at most coffeeshops and cafes in Kuching. If you can find "kolo mee", you should also try the spicy Sarawak laksa, another specialty dish of Sarawak.

2. Try "umai". "Umai" is the Melanau's version of the Cantonese 'yee sang' (raw fish salad). Imagine a fiesty salad of shallots, raw fish, lime juice and salt.Never leave without giving this dish a try!

3. Take a boat ride to the other side of the Kuching River for 30 sen (or USD 0.10) The non-motorised boat ride goes across the Kuching River in just under five minutes. It's a slow and beautiful boat ride across a lovely river. Where to go for this boat ride? Just get to the Kuching Waterfront, the pride of all Kuchingites.

4. Hang loose at the Waterfront. It's a hip and happening place to be when the sun sets even if you're only sipping "teh tarik" which is hot tea with milk. Watch the world go by or observe the boats ply the river.

5. Support the local pepper industry! Sarawak pepper is world famous so don't even think of leaving the place without grabbing all sorts of pepper paraphernalia - from pepper sweets to pepper perfume!

6. Bite into a crispy "tebaloi" This traditional biscuit of the native people of Sarawak is made from another famous Sarawakian export, sago.Sago flour imparts a distinctive taste to this biscuit. It even comes in chocolate flavour, besides the usual traditional recipe.

7. Buy yourself a "pua kumbu" A pua kumbu is a handwoven cloth used by Iban tribe, inspired by their dreams. The intricate colours and superb workmanship makes each piece a work of art. Get yourself one if you can afford it.

8. Explore the national parks! Sarawak is teeming with national parks so go on the adventure of your life. Experience wildlife like you've never seen before. Start with the famous Bako National Park. We assure you it won't be your last.

9. Take home some lovely pottery! From rustic jars to pots, from vases to pen holders, there's nothing like an authentic Sarawakian pottery to remind you of this laidback land, showcasing the best of native culture.

10. Enjoy the Sarawak Cultural Village The Sarawak Cultural Village is hailed as Asia's best living museum, showcasing Sarawak's native peoples, their lifestyle, their homes and their culture. Just 45 minutes by car from the city of Kuching, this village of 14 acres will astound you with the wondrous diversity of people and their culture. If there's only one place to visit while you're here, make it the Sarawak Cultural Village.

About the Author

The Author is an expert writer for various travel writing such as JetAirways, Jet konnect and jet airways konnect.