Farshi Pajama
Farshi means 'associated with the 'farsh' or floor' (for example farshi baithak which is associated with sitting on the floor). When combined with the word Pajama, the term evolves to mean a bottom-wear garment that falls generously on the floor, and trails as one walks, however in reality, during walking, an expert wearer holds the dress by carefully pulling up and folding the excess flaring trail and holding it in her left hand keeping the right one free which is when the dress does not trail. The large quantity (historically, 9-15 yards) of expensive cloth, embroidered using the art of goldwork (embroidery) and sterling silver wire threads (Karchob/Zari/Zardozi etc.), used to make a farshi gharara mainly reflects the grandeur and extravagance of the nobles and rulers of that era.
Different eras brought changes to the fashion and cuts of the dress. These variations were also dependent from one princely state's court to another.
Modified, smaller-length versions are still, but rarely, worn by women in weddings in India and Pakistan to recreate bygone elegance.
Movies such as Umrao Jaan (1981) and Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) that depict Muslim culture of 19th century Lucknow show noblewomen and royal courtesans wearing farshi pajamas.
See Begum Rifat Zamani, Queen of Rampur in United Provinces (now U.P.) wearing a Farshi Pajama, holding it up while walking: http://www.india-seminar.com/2008/585/585_ritu_5.jpg
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