Archive for August 28, 2009
Atamsukh - Rajasthani Kings And Royal Family Wear
Rajasthan Kings And Royal Family Wear - Atamsukh
Rajasthan is famous for its colourful culture. It is not only depicted through its festivals and ceremonies but also reflected in clothing style and costume.
Atamsukh in sanskrit means “giver of comfort to the soul”. It is similar to jama but quilted. It used to be worn by Rajasthan’s royal family males. It was mainly developed for the purpose of keeping the wearer warm.
Its length is upto knees but has small sleeves. It’s padded like jama-yi -puma -dar or salwar with cotton wool. Then quilted to keep padding in place between two layers of fabrics. During mughal period, it was decorated on outer surface by fabric such as silk and brocade both for insulating and warmth.
DISPLAY OF ATAMSUKH
The huge size atamsukh, a beautiful rich Banaras brocade quilted cloak of Rajasthani Maharaja Sawai is an object of attraction. They are displayed on the first floor of Mubrack Mahal and City Palace museum.
SIMILARITY
It is quite similar to Kashmiri Phiran. It denotes the size and style of Maharaja along with fashion and trend prevalent during those times. Royal members used to put puthia on their shoulders.
Confusion reigns between atamsukh and choga of early mughal era. The prevalent Persian and Turkish garment brought over to India by Babur and its forces in 1525 would be mutating due to climate and inevitable fashion changes that happens naturally.
This garment which covers the entire body and is intended for wear in colder seasons, remains in wardrobe of man of affairs and status until today.
