Pheta ( mr, फेटा) is the
Marathi
Marathi may refer to:
*Marathi people, an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group of Maharashtra, India
*Marathi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people
*Palaiosouda, also known as Marathi, a small island in Greece
See also
*
* ...
name for the distinctive traditional
turban
A turban (from Persian دولبند, ''dulband''; via Middle French ''turbant'') is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures. Communities with promine ...
worn in
Maharashtra
Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.
In ceremonies such as
weddings
A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marria ...
, as well as festive, cultural, and religious celebration, it is common to wear Pheta. In many areas it is customary to offer male dignitaries a traditional welcome by offering them a ''Pheta'' to wear. A traditional ''Pheta'' is usually long cloth typically long and wide. The choice of colour may indicate the occasion for which it is being worn and also may be typical to the place it is being worn in. Typical colours include Saffron (to indicate
valour) and White (to indicate
peace
Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups. ...
). In the past, wearing a Pheta was considered a mandatory part of clothing.
Varieties
Other than the traditional white and Saffron encrusted Pheta, there are two other major varieties. One is the famous Kolhapuri Pheta, which comes in a multitude of colors and has a Bandhani effect on it. The other major variety consists of the Puneri Pheta which comes in checkered patterns and has a distinct gold border.
Style
There are different styles of draping a Pheta that is determined by the nature of the place or the location and even famous personalities. For instance, if we take the example of places, there are styles like the Kolhapuri style, Mawali style, Puneri style, Lahiri style and many more. On the other hand, style and varieties are also connected to distinguished persons like Shahi Pheta,
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...
Pheta,
Tukaram
Sant Tukaram Maharaj (Marathi pronunciation: ̪ukaːɾam was a 17th-century Marathi poet, Hindu ''sant'' (saint), popularly known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, Tukoba in Maharashtra. He was a Sant of Varkari sampradaya (Marathi-Vaishnav tradition) - ...
Maharaj Pheta and many such varied and popular styles. This simple piece of fabric is draped around the head in 6 to 7 rounds with a little piece of the turban hanging loose like a tail which is called as Shemala. Some Pheta cloths are plain and single-colored, whereas few are lined and double-colored.
Innovations
In today's day and age, the traditional Phetas are given a trendier and a youthful feel which not only enchants the youth but can also be worn to flaunt a traditional style and appeal. Today's western version of Phetas are more colorful, reversible, adjustable and come in different metallic and satin fabrics which have replaced the mundane, ear warming headgears. The vibrant nature of the turban makes it ideal for any party or occasion.
Global Appeal
Several Indian celebrities and political leaders have worn the
Marathi
Marathi may refer to:
*Marathi people, an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group of Maharashtra, India
*Marathi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people
*Palaiosouda, also known as Marathi, a small island in Greece
See also
*
* ...
Pheta in different forms which has given this head dress a global appeal and has made an impact on several people worldwide. Several fashion designers have imitated the style of the Marathi Pheta and have used it to give their collection a touch of Indian ethnicity. Among all the different varieties of Phetas, the Puneri Pheta has been universally considered as the most auspicious one that is handed over during the nuptials of a wedding. Gradually, this age old tradition of Pheta became an auspicious ritual for people, be it any culture.
Wearing Pheta
The Pheta when donned gives the wearer a noble and distinct look which automatically speaks for itself without the need of any additional adornments. If we follow the traditional roots of
Maharashtra
Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...
, then this headgear completes the typical Marathi dress, consisting of Kurta-Pyjamas along with Kolhapuri Slip ons.
Weddings, religious ceremonies or cultural events which mark a distinction for the Marathi men seem incomplete without the Marathi Petha, which only adds to the cultural and traditional charm of
Maharashtra
Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...
. Besides weddings and other traditional and religious ceremonies, the
Mysore
Mysore (), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude of ...
Phetas also enhance the ambience during Indian festivals like
Gudi Padwa
Gudhi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus, but is also celebrated by other Hindus as well. It is celebrated in and around Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and the union terr ...
,
Diwali
Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali ( IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is ...
,
Dasara, etc. The latest fashionable turbans can also be worn at formal, semi-formal and casual events, crediting to its flexibility and elegance.
Maintenance
Since it is made out of
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus ''Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor perce ...
, maintaining a Pheta is not difficult and a normal hand or machine wash would be fine to keep the cloth free of any adulteration.
Interesting Facts and Comparisons
Mordern headgears like caps and hats always stand as a pillar of competition against these ethnic headgears.
Majority of the
Marathi movies
Marathi cinema is an Indian film industry of Marathi-language motion pictures. It is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Based in old Mumbai, it is the oldest film industry of Indian cinema. The first Marathi film to be released in India was ''Shre ...
like
Netaji Palkar
Netaji Palkar (1620–1681) was a ''Sardar Senapati'' or ''Sarnaubat'' ( Commander-in-Chief) under Chhatrapati Shivaji, founder of the Maratha empire.
Family history
Netaji Palkar was born in a small village, called Chouk in Khalapur, Maharash ...
,
Ayodhyecha Raja
''Ayodhyecha Raja'', literally "The King of Ayodhya", was the first Marathi talkie, released in 1932, directed by Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre. It is based on the mythological story of Raja Harishchandra of Ayodhya and his test by sage Vishwamitr ...
,
Shree Pundalik
''Shree Pundalik'', which was released on 18 May 1912 at the Coronation Cinematograph, Girgaum, Mumbai, is sometimes considered the first feature-length Indian film by a minority. The government of India and most scholarly sources consider ''R ...
, etc. have the heroes sporting a Pheta in most of the scenes.
Famous
Bollywood
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...
actors like
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan (born 5 February 1976) is an Indian actor and film producer known for his work in Hindi films. Part of the Bachchan family, he is the son of actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and the grandson of poet Harivansh Rai Bach ...
and
Ritesh Deshmukh
Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh (born 17 December 1978) is an Indian actor, comedian, television presenter, writer, director and film producer. He is the son of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh. He works in Hindi and Marathi cin ...
wore the Marathi Pheta on their wedding day. In addition to that, even Abhishekh Bachchan's father
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan (; born as Amitabh Shrivastav; 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the most succe ...
wore the Pheta on his son's wedding.
The Pheta is usually named after a town, for example Kohlapuri Pheta is named after the town Kolhapur
The Pheta is considered a matter of pride and honor
Another term for the Pheta is ‘Pataka’
gallery
File:Tanaji Malusare.jpg, Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare wearing ''Mawali pagadi''
See also
*
Turban
A turban (from Persian دولبند, ''dulband''; via Middle French ''turbant'') is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures. Communities with promine ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pheta (Turban)
Indian headgear
Marathi clothing
Indian wedding clothing
Desi culture