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An aangi isn't your usual blouse, it's traditional attire that carries true Indian craftsmanship, culture and legacy. This half-sleeved blouse or bodice secures the chest and includes a string that goes all the way back, allowing you to fasten it as per your comfort. Aangi blouses are generally made from fabrics like cotton, silk, and georgette and run a little shorter than a usual saree blouse. Also known as aangiya, this beautiful blouse emerged from the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, where women wore it as upper wear with their ghagra and odhni. These pieces also paved their way into the wedding trousseau, with aangis adorned by hand-done gota-patti, mirrorwork, and zari work.
The long-lost art of the aangis found its significance in contemporary times when women styled them again in innovative ways. From contemporary and traditional sarees to lehengas, these blouses add vintage charm to the attire. Various homegrown brands are now redoing the aangis in both traditional and modern ways, where they are incorporating a wide range of fabrics and hand-woven designs to make them find greater resonance. After all, aangis are art pieces that need to be appreciated. If you are fascinated with these blouses and planning to style for the upcoming wedding season, here are some homegrown brands that you must check out.
Started by a mother-daughter duo, Kanchan Sangwan and Indro Bai, Aangiwali experiments with a wide range of motifs, patterns and colours. Indro Bai hand-stitches these traditional blouses herself and avoids using widely available motifs during the process. She prefers making them at her home, which means the aangis are completely handcrafted.
Patterns that reflect Rajasthani art, premium fabrics and a comfortable silhouette, Meerang provides handcrafted aangis that perfectly go with lehengas, ethnic skirts and sarees. Since these blouses used to have a backless design and a deep neckline due to the dry and hot weather of the Shekhawati region, the brand is committed to following the same silhouette, without compromising on its authenticity.
House of Baisa is a Jaipur-based homegrown brand that throws light on the expert craftsmanship of traditional aangi blouses. Their blouses feature intricate handwoven patterns, beautiful motifs and attractive colours. The brand employs skilled artisans from local regions, which makes the blouses look very distinctive from mass-produced clothing pieces.
A sleeveless halterneck aangi to go with your sarees and lehengas? Kamangaari has reimagined the traditional blouse by giving it a modern twist. Apart from traditional aangi pieces, the homegrown brand handcrafts halterneck silhouettes that feature stunning gota-patti and zari work.