The ''lehenga'', ''lehnga'' or ''langa'' (also known as a ''ghagra'' or ''gagra'', ''chaniya'', ''pavadai'', or ''lacha'') is a form of ankle-length skirt from the Indian subcontinent. Different patterns and styles of traditional embroidery are used to decorate the ''aiushi mazumder''. '' Gota patti'' embroidery is often used for festivals and weddings. The ''lehenga'' is sometimes worn as the lower portion of a '' gagra choli'' or ''

langa voni A langa voni (also called "''pavadai daavani''" in Tamil or "''langa daavani''" in Kannada) is a traditional dress worn in South India by girls between puberty and marriage. It is also known as the ''two-piece sari'' or ''half sari''. Girls youn ...

''. ''Ghagra'' in Hindi (also ''Ghagro'' in Konknni), was also used to refer to the

half slip A slip is a woman's undergarment worn beneath a dress or skirt. A full slip hangs from the shoulders, usually by means of narrow straps, and extends from the breast to the fashionable skirt length. A half slip (or ''waist slip'') hangs from the ...

or petticoat, a skirt worn as an undergarment below the sari. Anjana Sukhani

Variations

Ghagri

The ''ghagri'' is a six-foot-long narrow skirt, the same length as the original ''antariya''. This style of ''lehenga'' is still used today, and is worn by Jain nuns in India.

A-line

The A-line ''lehenga'' has an A-line skirt and hem and is named for its shape, which resembles the capital letter "A." The skirt is tighter at the waist and flares out at the bottom. File:Priyanka on the ramp for Mijwan fashion show.jpg, Priyanka Chopra in an A-line ''lehenga'' File:Shamita Shetty walks for Manish Malhotra & Shaina NC's show for CPAA 05.jpg,

Shamita Shetty Shamita Shetty (born 2 February 1979) is an Indian Bollywood actress, model and interior designer. She made her Hindi film debut in the musical romance film ''Mohabbatein'' (2000), which earned her the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – ...

in an A-line ''lehenga'' File:Celebrities at Manish Malhotra - Lilavati Save & Empower Girl Child show (12).jpg,

Krishika Lulla Krishika Lulla is an Indian film producer. She made her foray into producing films with 2010s romantic film '' Anjaana Anjaani'', a co-production with Sajid Nadiadwala, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. In December 2010, India's firs ...

in an A-line ''lehenga'' at Manish Malhotra's fashion walk File:Sameera Reddy walks the ramp for Neeta and Nishka Lulla at the Lakme Fashion Week 2009 (14).jpg, Sameera Reddy in an A-line ''lehenga'' File:Shraddha Kapoor walks the ramp for Anmol Jewellers at IIJW 2011 (6).jpg,

Shraddha Kapoor Shraddha Kapoor (born 3 March 1987 or 1989Kriti Sanon in an A-line ''lehenga''

Flared

A flared or circular ''lehenga'' has a round skirt which can be pleated or layered for volume.

Double-flared

A double-flared ''lehenga'' is a type of multi-layered can-can skirt with a dramatic flare and extra volume.

Mermaid

A mermaid ''lehenga'', also known as a fishtail or trumpet, resembles the tail of a fish. This style is fitted from the waist to the knees, then flares over the calves.

Paneled

A paneled ''lehenga'' has several horizontal panels of fabric stitched together to create a flare, resulting in a fuller skirt. The horizontal panels can be of the same or varying sizes and shapes. File:Anjali Lavania.jpg,

Anjali Lavania Anjali Lavania is an Indian model, a holistic life coach and a film actress. She made her acting debut in the 2011 Telugu film ''Panjaa'', starring Pawan Kalyan. Career Anjali Lavania hails from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Her mother is a well ...

in a paneled ''lehenga'' File:Shraddha Kapoor at Bappa Lahiri Wedding Reception.jpg,

Shraddha Kapoor Shraddha Kapoor (born 3 March 1987 or 1989Sonal Chauhan Sonal Chauhan (born 16 May 1987) is an Indian actress, singer and model who predominantly works in Telugu and Hindi language films. She made her acting debut with Hindi film ''Jannat'' and her Telugu film debut with ''Rainbow'', both in 2008. ...

in a paneled ''lehenga'' with Shantanu Goenka at

Lakme Fashion Week Lakmé Fashion Week is a bi-annual fashion week which takes place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Its ''Summer-Resort'' show takes place in April while the ''Winter-Festive'' show takes place in August. History The event first took place in 19 ...

File:Celebrities at Manish Malhotra - Lilavati Save & Empower Girl Child show (39).jpg

Sharara

A sharara ''lehenga'' is also known as a ''pavadai'', ''langa davani'', ''langa voni'', or half ''saree''. It features large, voluminous pants called ''

palazzos A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...

''. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is part of the ''

''. It is typically worn in South India with a '' dupatta'' wrapped around the waist and draped across the shoulder like a '' sari''. File:Pooja Hegde celebrates Dhanteras in a cinnamon coloured sharara.jpg, Pooja Hegde in a ''sharara'' File:Raima Sen still40.jpg, Raima Sen in a ''sharara'' File:Shriya Saran bridal week 2010.png, Shriya Saran in a half ''saree'' ''lehenga''

Straight

A straight ''lehenga'' has a straight silhouette without any pleats or layers, sometimes with a side slit for easy movement. This style is worn on special occasions.

Trail

A trail ''lehenga'' has an extra portion of fabric attached to the back of the skirt to create a train.

References

{{Clothing in South Asia History of Asian clothing Indian clothing Islamic female clothing Indian wedding clothing Women's clothing