Plain black burqas with a veil to cover themselves according to the Islamic teachings are now passé among the Muslim womenfolk. Now, most of them go in for designer burqas. These burqas showcase exquisite and intricate embroidery in colourful silk threads, embellished with beads, semi precious stones, pearls, Swarovski and gems.
The humble black burqa has now transformed into various shades of black. Delhi's Matia Mahal market has over 20 shops while Meena Bazaar has around 50 shops selling only designer burqas. Some are so flamboyant that the design criss-crosses the neck, flows up to the waist and then tapers around the wrists. Many a burqa sellers even adorn their mannequins with these burqas and sunglasses to attract customers.
Nawaid Khan of Islamic Naqaab Matiya Mahal Bazaar says, “For the last eight to 10 years, demand for designer burqas has gone up by leaps and bounds. The reason being that a range of designer burqas from Saudi Arab made its way to the Capital. Now, everyday I sell up to 10 designer burqas. During wedding season, the demand doubles.” These burqas are also no longer boring sack-looking outfits. They are now largely skin-fit in straight or fish cut. As Khan puts it: “Women here largely wear front-open straight-cut black burqas. Girls come to me with their own designs or ones they copy from the internet. The burqas from Saudi Arabia are A-shaped and are also called ‘abaya’.”
The designer burqas cost between Rs 400 and 2,000.
“ Hamare yahan kunwari ladkiyan designer burqe nahi pehenti. Vo sirf plain burqe hi pehenti hain, ” (Unmarried girls are not supposed to wear designer burqas), says Nafeesa Bilal, a buyer at Khan's shop. Khan agrees: “Now it has becomes necessary to gift a designer burqa with a joda of gharara, sharara or lehenga in the Walled City.”
But for unmarried girls some new options have emerged of late – Iran style coat burqas, which are made of denim or other cotton-mixed cloth. They are front-buttoned and have no embellishments on them. These come in 15 to 20 subdued shades such as blues and greys.
