Navroz Mubarak! Here's your style guide to Parsi Gara

At the Navroz celebrations every year, Parsi women deck-up in drapes of traditional Gara sarees. These sarees are known for the intricate embroidery and mesmerising motifs and are a part of their rich tradition. The rare art form was said to be fading away from celebrations in the recent past. But, this Navroz, the younger generation from the Parsi community bringing back the Gara to make a statement. Here’s how...

Wearing their heritage with pride
Navroz is a celebration of Parsi heritage and Gara is certainly an important part of that. Feroza Doongaji, a student of MBA in Pune, says, “Not many people know about Parsi culture despite us having lived in India for centuries. Many youngsters from the community are losing touch with the culture and reviving the Gara is one way of reminding them about it. And what better way to celebrate than by wearing a Gara saree this Navroz?”

Making Gara accessible to all

Designer duo Kainaz and Firoza from Mumbai are not just reviving the Gara pattern but making it accessible to youngsters too. The designers share, “Parsi Gara work is an emblem of style and elegance, one of the finest and most under-celebrated styles of embroideries to emerge from the homeland.” Kainaz and Firoza have gone beyond sarees and incorporated Gara into handbags, clutches, stoles etc, to strike a chord with the younger generation. A part of their earnings goes to the artisans who are keeping the Parsi Gara alive.

Sumiran Annamaria Kashyap wearing Ashdeen Lilaowala. Shot by Pritiza Barua, at the home of Mrs Freny Billimoria.What is Parsi Gara?
Kainaz and Firoza tell us, “The Parsi Gara, in a nutshell, is Indian embroidery with a Persian heritage and Chinese origin. The Parsi embroidery can be traced back to 650 AD when Persian women undertook the Indian style of clothing. It is an emblem of style and elegance.”

Tweaking and experimenting

Meanwhile, Milad Irani, a second-generation restaurateur from Kolkata, has a beautiful Parsi Gara cap that he wears every Navroz. “It is a statement that I am making. Many people are intrigued to see the design and ask questions about it. It’s one way of keeping the Parsi traditions and culture alive in minds of people,” he says. Some youngsters have even turned Gara sarees into chic new accessories. Tina Zorabian, a student of hotel management in Bangalore, has made a face mask from her mom’s old Gara saree. “It is so cool! The bold designs and motifs are attractive and look chic,” she says.