Bollywood and Anarkali - The interconnection!
The graceful, fluid, elegant outfit has become iconic in Bollywood movies and songs as a romantic costume worn by leading ladies dancing and romancing with heroes. The Anarkali holds deep symbolic meaning in Bollywood as a representation of traditional Indian femininity, style, and grace.While the costumes have evolved over the years, the Anarkali remains a staple in Bollywood and our lives today. This article will explore the roots of the Anarkali, its evolution in Bollywood films, its cultural symbolism that has captivated generations of movie watchers and how Anora Anarkali kurtis & kurti sets are also evolving..
Anarkali in Early Bollywood Films
Anarkali became a popular motif in Bollywood films starting in the 1950s. Early examples of Bollywood films featuring the Anarkali costume and themes include:
- Mughal-e-Azam (1960) - This iconic film featured Madhubala as the courtesan Anarkali, who has a forbidden love with Prince Salim. Madhubala's elaborate anarkali costumes with long flowing skirts and tight cholis became very influential.
- Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) - Starring Madhubala again as the courtesan Anarkali, dancing and singing in flowing anarkalis.
- Dil Hi To Hai (1963) - Sadhana Shivdasani portrayed a court dancer named Anarkali, bringing the costume into vogue.
- Pakeezah (1972) - Meena Kumari plays a Lucknow courtesan frequently wearing anarkalis, continuing the motif's association with mujra and courtesan culture.
- Umrao Jaan (1981) - Depicting the famous courtesan from Lucknow, Rekha wore opulent anarkali costumes designed by Bhanu Athaiya.
The anarkali was firmly entrenched in Bollywood films by the 1950s and 60s for portraying Mughal-era courtesans and dancers. The silhouette evoked regality and sensuality that made it the perfect costume for courtesan characters.
Evolution of Anarkali in Bollywood
The Anarkali costume has gone through various stylistic changes and interpretations over the decades in Bollywood films. In the early black-and-white era, Anarkali outfits were very much inspired by the Mughal miniature paintings. They featured long, heavy anklets, conical bras, a large ornamental headpiece covering the back of the head, and multiple heavy necklaces. The silhouette was flowy, with focus on the billowing skirt and intricate embroidery work along the hemline and bodice. Now, Anora focuses on creating more functional yet stunning Anarkali kurtis and Kurti sets.
In the 70s, actresses like Rekha, Hema Malini, and Parveen Babi carried forward the trademark Mughal essence of Anarkalis, but made them more glamorous and body-hugging. The colors were brighter, necklines deeper, and cholis more fitted. While the flare and flow of the skirt was retained, the overall look became more sensual. There was extensive use of glistening beads, sequins and threads along with zari.
From the 90s onwards, contemporary style Anarkalis became mainstream. Though the basic silhouette was maintained, the outfits became lighter, simpler, and easier to wear. The heavy ornate jewellery was replaced by minimal accessories. Sleeveless and strappy Anarkalis also became popular. In recent times, Anarkalis have further evolved to incorporate modern cuts, use of sheer fabrics, crop tops, dhoti pants, ankle-length skirts. The costumes may retain Mughal essence but are largely adapted for contemporary fashion sensibilities.
So over the decades, the Anarkali evolved from being heavily ornate, voluminous and traditional to a more glamorous, sensual and flexible garment that seamlessly blended Mughal and modern aesthetics. This iconic costume remains traditional but has been continuously reinvented by Bollywood with changing times. Anora Anarkali Kurtis give a sense of this fashion changes in very Anora Anarkali Kurtis as a symbol of evolving.
Impact on Fashion
Bollywood's portrayal of the Anarkali over the decades has had a significant influence on Indian fashion. The elegant, flowy Anarkali gown silhouette became a trendy garment worn by women across India.
Initially, Anarkali outfits were mostly worn for traditional dances in Bollywood films. But as the style was glamorized on screen by leading actresses, Anarkali gowns and frocks started to become popular everyday ethnic wear. Designers began creating modern and fusion interpretations of the Anarkali for retail consumers.
Today, Anarkali-inspired garments with empire waists, long flared skirts and short sleeves are common formal and festive attire for Indian women. The Anora has the best Anarkali Kurti which are a wardrobe staple and a frequent fashion choice for events like weddings, parties and festivals.
Bollywood's styling of the Anarkali has kept the silhouette relevant across generations. The flowing femininity of the Anora Anarkali Kurti resonates with the modern Indian woman's style sensibilities. While retaining its opulent charm, the garment continues to reinvent itself in contemporary materials, surface ornamentation and colors.
Modern Bollywood Interpretations
Contemporary Bollywood films showcasing Anarkali styles continue the tradition of using the costume to convey deeper meanings. Directors leverage the opulent, flowing silhouette to represent the inner and outer beauty of female leads. Modern takes on the Anarkali play with more vibrant colors, intricate embroidery, and heavier embellishments while maintaining the costume's iconic shape and femininity.
Deepika Padukone dancing in vivid embroidered Anarkali in Happy new year and Ram Leela helped revive interest in the style. Other contemporary leading ladies like Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Vidya Balan, and Alia Bhatt have also memorably twirled across screens in the flared outfit. While the costumes nod to tradition, new iterations experiment with unique patterns, works of art on the bodice, lightweight fabrics, and strategic cutouts. The Anora Anarkali has transitioned from traditional realms into fusion wear with cropped lengths, pantsuits, and fusion with gowns and skirts. Versatile Bollywood reinterpretations have expanded the Anora Anarkali's repertoire while retaining its quintessence.
Conclusion
The enduring connection between Bollywood and the Anarkali costume is undeniable. While the historical origins of Anarkali are debated, the costume has clearly taken on a meaning of its own in Indian cinema. The Anora Anarkali Kurtis and Anora Anarkali Kurti sets represent a particular blend of tradition and modernity, modesty and glamour that resonates deeply in Bollywood films. Anarkali costume allows for dynamic dance choreography and visually striking cinematography. The flowing Anarkali evokes a cultivated, sophisticated beauty that has become deeply intertwined with Bollywood's identity. For the foreseeable future, the Anora Anarkali Kurtis and Anora Anarkali Kurti sets are and will likely dance across screens, capturing the spirit and allure that makes Bollywood shine.
