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The Costumes Of Mahabharat: By The Modern Fashion Designer

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 Naveen Shodh Sansar (An International Refereed/ Peer Review Research Journal) (U.G.C. Jr. No. 64728)
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ISSN 2320-8767, E- ISSN 2394-3793, Impact Factor - 4.710 (2016) October to December 2017, Vol. II

The Costumes Of Mahabharat: By The Modern Fashion

Designer

Radhika Sarda * Rajeev Kumar **

Abstract - The epic story is a part of the Indian mythology and most of Indians are familiar with it. Most of Grandfathers
and grandmothers tell ancient stories to their kids to acknowledge about the religious and bravery of Pandav and
Abhimanyu. The 80s century Mahabharata serials was like a family drama and Sunday mornings were incomplete
without watching it on with the entire family. And after two decades modern families enjoy the show as well as concentrate
on everything played by each character their action, dialogue and much more about the costumes. Costume designers
do survey and read hundreds of books related to textiles, costume and jewelry of that period to give mythological
characters more originality. The costumes which performed in mythological show are appreciated; it also revives the
Indian handicrafts and Indian traditions. Mythology actors often wear heavy costumes and there are techniques applied
to make these garment and for achieve the ancient look. A lot of bright colored silks, hand-looms, gold and jewelry
structured embroidery patterns are used. For the TV serials fashion designers are meticulous about every detail to
remain true to the character and works hard to translate their effort beautifully to the audiences to the show.
Key Words - Mahabharata, Pandav, TV- Serials, Costume, Jewelry, Mythology.
Introduction - One cannot give makers of the serial much costumes of the epics and mythological shows it has need
credit for the story because it was Ved Vyasa after all who to learn the every character of the story. Fashion designer
first documented this marvelous story, history, mythology, designs the costume according to theme of story.
call it what you will. This epic story is a part of the Indian
ethos and as such each Indian should be familiar with it. If
the story is told in a simple, accessible, serialized, dramatic
format on TV, it would have been better then. The
phenomenal reach of the TV itself ensures that the
Mahabharata serial now performs the function that
grandfathers and grandmothers did, telling stories to kids.
The near prime time slot for the serial each weekday and
the daily soap style format of the show will ensure that
people are hooked to the serial whether for entertainment,
reasons of faith or any other motive. The sets are elaborate
and glitzy, the show even has some amount of dancing
and it generally entertaining and well packaged, never mind
trifling details such as historical accuracy and authenticity.
The costume designs on the mythological show loyal to
Indian traditions and weaves. The TV- serials Mahabharata
revive Indian handicrafts and traditional weaves. Different
ancient techniques have been used to achieve the various
looks. A lot of bright colored silks, hand-looms, gold and
jewelry structured embroidery patterns have been used.
Inspirational Character- Arjun, Draupadi & Shri Krishna
- In epic story Mahabharata veer Arjun, Draupadi and Shri
Krishna was the inspirational character. Many TV- serials
channels show the story of Mahabharata. The audiences
not only see the story they have also much concentration The Mood Board - For designing any costume of shows
on the costume of the playing character. Designing the its need to study the theme and inspiration. Fashion
*
Department of Fashion Designing, J.V.W.U., Jaipur (Raj.) INDIA
**
Lecturer, Department of Fashion Designing, J.V.W.U., Jaipur (Raj.) INDIA
 Naveen Shodh Sansar (An International Refereed/ Peer Review Research Journal) (U.G.C. Jr. No. 64728)
ISSN 2320-8767, E- ISSN 2394-3793, Impact Factor - 4.710 (2016) October to December 2017, Vol. II
designers do research on that theme and collect the key
elements by brainstorming of theme and inspiration. The
key elements used in the designing costume.
The Lifestyle Board - The lifestyle board shows the story
of Mahabharata. It is not only showing the story but also
shows the living style and costumes of every role played
character of Mahabharata.
The Color Story Board - Since every character of the epic
was identified with a particular color here is an excerpt on
color of the costumes and costume designing had to be
carried out accordingly. Bheeshma always wore white and
his chariot was also white; the–Krishna liked to wear yellow
robes, Balarama liked to wear blue robes. As we have seen,
Kekaya warriors liked to wear purple. Yudhisthira and Arjuna
liked to wear white robes and silver coated ornaments.
Bhishma too in his old ages liked to wear white. Duryodhana
and Bhima liked to war red cloths. Nakula liked to wear
yellow cloths like Krishna, while Sahadeva liked to wear
blue cloths like Balarama. Sakuni liked to wear black cloths.
The Design Concept Board - The design concept board
explains theme, designer, purpose of designing the
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costume, color story, silhouettes of garments; design
construction details and accessories wear by the
characters.
Design Ensembles - Fashion designers design costume
for individual character as according to the role of character.
Designer design the costume as same as the costume wear
by the characters and keeps in mind the silhouettes, fabric,
color and embellishment work on the garment. They do
not change too much but do the innovative work as
according to the modernity.
Arjun Ensemble Illustration - This ensemble is designed
for Arjun. The fabric used velvet and taffeta. Embellishment
work is gotta patti and lace. Silhouette is upside- down
truncated cone and H.
Abhimanyu Ensemble Illustration - This ensemble has
designed for Abhimanyu. Design details: Taffeta and velvet
fabric has used. Embellishment work: Gotta patti and lace
work. Silhouette: Upside- down and truncated cone.
Draupadi Ensemble Illustration - These ensembles have
designed for Draupadi the wife of Pandavs. Design details:
Grey, cotton, georgette, super net and shimmer fabric has
used. Embellishment work: Embroidery and lace work.
Silhouette: H, barrel and siren.
 Naveen Shodh Sansar (An International Refereed/ Peer Review Research Journal) (U.G.C. Jr. No. 64728)
ISSN 2320-8767, E- ISSN 2394-3793, Impact Factor - 4.710 (2016) October to December 2017, Vol. II
Kunti Ensemble - This ensemble has designed for Kunti
the mother of Pandav putra’s. Design details: Raw silk and
taffeta fabric has used. Embellishment work: zari work.
Silhouette- Redingote.
Designed Costume Photographs
Conclusion - India is one of the largest countries in South
Asia and has influence in its neighboring countries. Daily
soaps produced in India are not only watched by the Indian
viewers, but is also viewed in UK, USA, Australia, Asian
countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Television
View publication stats
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industries produce daily soaps in such a way that audience
gets anchored to their television sets. The stories of daily
soaps vary; some are based on reality, some are based on
fiction and some are based on fantasy. Whatever story the
television company advertises, fashion and style is the pivot
of the show. Most of the Hindi daily soaps are thirty minutes
long. In that short duration the audience can taste every
facet of entertainment- comedy, romance, and action. Along
with entertainment they also get to see a range of styles.
The styles used by the actors come to the market within a
week or less. This quick accessibility motivates the viewers
to purchase the outfits and accessories used by their
favorite celebrity. When the new fashion enters the market
the price is high, but with time the price reduces gradually.
According to the shopkeepers of San mar, the customers
do not buy the outfits instantly, but purchase it later when
the price reduces. In a way television daily soap binds
people as most of the people who watch them crave for
the same style and fashion. This desire has boosted the
fashion world. For the sake of fashion, designers sacrifice
Indian traditional culture and take up western culture. Of
catharsis, but too much of watching is unhealthy. It might
reduce the capacity to learn.
References :-
1. http://www.dnaindia.com. Retrieved October 20, 2017
2. https://in.pinterest.com/pin/297730225338014352/?lp
=true. Retrieved October 22, 2017
3. https://wenku.baidu.com/view/4123cd443169a
4517723a3e9.html Retrieved October 25, 2017
4. http://www.hotstar.com/tv/mahabharat/435 Retrieved
November 02, 2017
5. http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-
mahabharat-buddha-devon-ke-dev-mahadev-lead-list-
of-epic-tales-on-primetime-tv-1889423. Retrieved No-
vember 10, 2017