Multicolor Leheriya Dupatta from Amritsar with Zari work Bootis and Scalloped Border
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
Colour spills across this dupatta the way a desert festival spills into dusk, restless and radiant. Leheriya, the ancient resist-dyeing tradition of Rajasthan, lends this piece its signature wave-like striations, where each diagonal ripple of hue dissolves into the next with the ease of watercolour. Here, that spirit is reinterpreted in lustrous art silk, a fabric that catches light generously and drapes with an almost liquid grace. Zari-work bootis are scattered across the field with measured restraint, lending a quiet ceremonial weight without tipping into excess. The scalloped border frames the whole composition with a jeweller's precision, a finishing detail one associates with the skilled embroidery ateliers of Amritsar, where Punjab's gift for embellishment meets a deep respect for proportion. The result is a dupatta suited to festive afternoons, mehendi ceremonies, and any occasion that calls for joy held lightly. Pair it with a plain ivory or deep teal kurta to let the multicolour palette speak without interruption. It works equally well worn loosely over the shoulders at a winter wedding.
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Behind this piece
Leheriya, the wave-dyed textile tradition rooted in Rajasthan, travelled north and found a second home in the workshops of Amritsar, where artisans adapted its diagonal resist-dyed rhythms with a Punjabi sensibility. This dupatta carries that migration in its very structure: the leheriya striping runs in characteristic undulating bands, while zari-work bootis punctuate the field with the restrained formality of Mughal garden motifs. The scalloped border, finished with deliberate care, frames the whole like a manuscript illumination. Art silk renders the colour saturation vivid and the drape deeply fluid.
How to style
Wear this dupatta over an ivory or écru kurta set in chanderi or cotton, letting the multicolour striping carry all the conversation; paired with kolhapuri sandals and oxidised silver jhumkas, the look reads effortlessly festive. For a Diwali gathering, drape it across the shoulder over a solid-toned anarkali in deep teal or burgundy. Diaspora shoppers might layer it over straight-cut trousers and a tucked-in silk blouse for a refined evening occasion, anchored by gold kada bangles that pick up the warmth of the zari bootis.
Fabric & care
Art silk is luminous but benefits from considered handling. Hand-wash in cool water using a mild, pH-neutral detergent, working gently without wringing or twisting the fabric. Rinse thoroughly and press out excess water between two clean towels. Dry flat in shade, away from direct sunlight, which can shift dyed colours over time. Iron on a low-heat setting with a pressing cloth placed between the iron and the zari work, as direct heat can flatten the metallic thread. Store folded in a soft cotton muslin pouch, away from moisture and synthetic fibres.
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