Blog Rediscovering the khun

Rediscovering the khun

Posted by Author on in Blog 49

There's really no denying it - the khun is an asbsolutely beautiful brocade. Rich as silk, soft as satin, with the coolness and comfort of cotton - what more could a woman ask for!

There was a time when you saw Maharashtrian women everywhere wearing these beautiful khun blouses, with traditional cotton sarees. These days, though, it looks like only the older generation is still wearing them.
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I guess the younger generation has shifted to polyster and nylon sarees, with matching "2x2" blouses. What a pity. The khun is really a gorgeous fabric, that retains colour and lustre even after several washings.

On a recent trip to Dadar, I bought myself a golden-yellow khun. It was folded into a neat triangle for me to take away. The shop keeper took great pride in folding it correctly, and demonstrated the technique for me to learn (so if any of you want lessons in blouse-folding, just ask!)

I teamed the blouse with a plain rust-coloured saree, and a necklace of amber and silver. The minute I wore it, I felt good. Maybe it was the golden glow of the khun, or maybe it was the pleasure of rediscovering something traditional - but I felt absolutely on top of the world.

This is of course, not the first time that I have fallen under the spell of traditional fabrics. But it's not just me, you know. That evening, my sis took one look at the blouse and said "Heyyyy, this is nice! I want one too...tell me where you got it!"

The khun had found yet another fan.

P.S: For those who're wondering how 'khun' is pronounced, it rhymes with 'bun'

  1. G
    Fabulous pick! My mum still wears these with her Narayan Peth sarees. :)
    Which shop in Dadar is this, if I may ask?
    December 28, 2008
  2. Deepa Krishnan
    It ends, like all good blouses, just under the breasts, baring the midriff.

    Which of course, if you ask any of the menfolk in my country, is one of the blouse's chief attractions.

    I am past the age of midriff display, unfortunately, an
    November 26, 2008
  3. Non-desi
    This looks lovely. Any chance you can take a closer picture of you wearing your khun blouse? ... it is hard to appreciate how it hangs from these pictures...since it is covered by a sari, I can't tell how much torso it covers...
    November 26, 2008
  4. Kusum Rohra
    Hi Deepa,

    I can't tell you how delighted I am to have stumbled upon your blog :)
    Now I have something to look forward to read on days I am busy at work and just want a break. Thanks.

    Love,
    Kusum
    November 21, 2008
  5. Anju Patil
    Really nice article. Keep it up!
    November 21, 2008
  6. Deepa Krishnan
    OK, so I fixed the spelling!

    Khun
    Khun
    Khun

    There. It is said thrice and now cast in stone!
    November 17, 2008
  7. Anonymous
    very interesting...! and you very nice in yours!

    jeanne
    san francisco, ca, usa
    www.worldonaplate.org
    November 17, 2008
  8. Ananva
    It is Khan without the D. I bought 2 pieces last year, one from a store in Matunga Market and one from Athavle Shahade in Dadar BB. If you get a long enough piece, like I did, you could make it into a parkar polka/pavadai for your little one (back in the
    November 17, 2008
  9. Deepa Krishnan
    Hey Sunita, after reading large parts of The Urban Gardener I couldn't figure out which suburb you live in (central suburbs? western suburbs?)

    Just walk around in the markets and keep your eyes open :)

    If you go to a matching centre, m
    November 16, 2008
  10. Deepa Krishnan
    Thanks, Sujata.
    November 16, 2008
  11. Sujata
    Deepa,

    A small correction. The fabric is called Khan (kh-eu-n).

    Sujata
    November 16, 2008
  12. Sunita
    Deepa, I love this fabric but I didnt know what its called. Thanks for enlightening me. Where does one get this and what do you ask for at the shop? Do you know of any place in the suburbs where I can get it?
    I've flipped for that gorgeous blue with
    November 15, 2008
  13. Blogeswari
    Didn't know this fabric was called Khand - I love this fabric.Made pouches (surukku pai) a couple of years with this material for navarathri taamboola gifts
    November 15, 2008
  14. Smruti
    Hey Deepa, I love reading your blog. I will be there in Mumbai in a couple of weeks. As my parents stay in King Circle, I am sure to shop around Dadar. This time I will definately take home a blouse of khand. Thanks for sharing this article.
    November 14, 2008