(Left) A poster of the Damas Laapataa; (right) A bride with a straw hat. (Photo: iStock)
He ghunghat (veil) plays a central role in Kiran Rao’s work. Ladies Laapataaa, IndiaOfficial presentation of the Oscars 2025. This satirical drama tells the story of two girlfriends who, dressed in similar outfits, accidentally switch places because their faces are hidden under party hats.
The ghoonghat, also known as ghunghatGhunghta, ghomta, orhni, odani, laaj, chunari, jhund or kundh—is a traditional veil or scarf worn by married women in many Indian communities. It may cover just the head or the entire face.
History of Ghoonghat
The ghoonghat, a traditional veil worn by women in India, has its origins in the ancient garment known as avagunthanaAs academic Remadevi O. explains in her essay Cosmetics, costumes and ornaments in ancient IndiaAvagunthana was a piece of cloth worn over the head, partially or completely concealing the face. In some cases, the garment was long enough to cover the entire body, and sometimes the upper garment functioned as a veil. This practice was particularly common among married women, especially those from aristocratic families or royal harems, and had symbolic importance in the bride’s attire.
He Valmiki’s Ramayana mentions the veil when Maṇḍodari, Ravana’s wife, laments his death.
Remadevi O. also writes that the use of veil by women is well documented by ancient figures such as Pāṇīni, Kauṭilya, Kālidāsa, Bāṇa, Māgha, Daṇḍi, Śūdraka and Harṣavardhana. While veils were traditionally worn by women of higher social status, Bāṇa, in In Kadambaridescribes a tribal girl, Mātaṅgakanyā, entering a royal court wearing a red Amshuka (fine muslin) veil.
Bāṇa also represents Abhisarikas—women on romantic missions— who wear blue veils. According to In KadambariBrides often wore red veils. MṛcchakaṭikaA courtesan is shown adopting the veil to signify her transition to the status of housewife, reinforcing the notion that the veil symbolizes chastity.
Modesty and controversy
The use of a ghoonghat to cover the face by married women is known as big or modesty. During marriage ceremonies, women wear a ghoonghat, which symbolises modesty, purity and respect for their future husbands. The ghoonghat is still worn in many parts of India, including states like Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. However, over the years, there have been heated debates that label the ghoonghat as a symbol of oppression and restriction.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.