Designers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra on the bandhgala
Being born in a country like India,the bandhgala has several connotations for most. It comes with remembrances of the pinni laddoos that ones grandmother would make,of old havelis where men would wear bandhgalas,but for us,what clings to mind more than anything else,is the image of something vintage and timeless.
The bandhgala is not just a piece of fabric but a classic which has its place in certain events that took place in India,that gives it a strong meaning. The strongest association of this classic is with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,a man who articulated Indias way to freedom. In a way,he defined what that attire stood for power,sincerity and classicism in the turbulent years that led to Indias birth as a nation.
The association of a garment with a strong and magnetic personality has etched itself in our vision,which is why it is also called the Nehru jacket. It has a much deeper significance for the two of us,both in terms of the classic appeal of the garment and with the sense of self and nationhood,created at a time when an Indian ethos and sensibility were being formed.
The thing about bandhgala is that it is traditional,but open to modern interpretations,much like India. No matter how modern our outlook might become,classicism will be a major defining factor in the progress of our country. Speaking of it in a personal context,our use of the classic bandhgala has always been with modern twists,using leather appliqué,or stitch details to give it a contemporary shape. We have also worked to modernise it by giving it fitted silhouettes.
The unique formatting of the bandhgala makes it a great alternative to the Western suit. It has formal lines and retains an Indian essence without becoming a very ornate garment.
The bandhgala thus remains an eternal statement that promises a hint of India in it,but is quite global as a fashion statement. Even international iconic menswear brands like Canali have worked at interpreting this subtle garment with their Nawab jacket,another testimonial to its timeless appeal.