A few decades ago, you could observe somebody’s attire, mannerisms and slangs and predict quite accurately where in India they are from. They wore their culture as a badge of honour. You may look at it as stereotyping however it was a matter of pride of where you came from and what your culture stood for.
Modern India has become culturally fluid yet we have lost touch with our roots. Ethnic wear has become a category reserved for festivities or cultural days. I feel deeply saddened when I meet a Tamilian who doesn’t know how to wear a panche or a Rajasthani that has no idea how to tie a Pagri. A telugite that can’t drape a Kanjeevaram and a Kashmiri that has no clue how a dhoti is worn.
We have created new tribes and have forgotten the ones we come from.
Explore your roots, your culture and then choose to make it a part of your life or to find something that you better connect with.
If you resonate with it, strive to make it a part of your everyday life. Or as the Padma Shree awardee fashion designer Wendell Rodricks says, make it a part of your attire. Tweak it, if you have to but embrace it.