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Crafts / Parandi

Parandi

State
Punjab
Material
Silk thread · Cotton thread
Rarity
Rare

Colourful threads braided into the hair

About

A tasselled Punjabi hair ornament made of coloured thread, worn with the braid for weddings, festivals and folk dances.

A paranda, also called a parandi, is a women's hair ornament from Punjab. It is made of coloured threads, traditionally silk, joined into a braided body with bunches of flowers or other designs and ornamental tassels at the ends. The paranda is tied into the long braid so that the tassels hang below it, and it is often chosen to match the colour of the wearer's clothes.

It is a folk accessory of Punjabi culture and part of traditional Punjabi dress. Parandas are worn by girls and women on special occasions such as weddings, and at festivals like Lohri, Vaisakhi and Teej, and in folk dances such as Giddha. Patiala is among the places especially known for parandas.

Today parandas are made in cotton, silk and wool thread, often with beads, small mirrors, bells (ghungroos) or gota ribbon added. They are less worn in everyday life than in the past but remain popular as festive and dance accessories.

How it’s made

A paranda is a hand-knotted and braided piece of thread. The maker begins by choosing thread in several colours, such as silk, cotton or wool, in lengths long enough to make the whole piece. The threads are fixed at one end and divided into groups by colour.

The body is then made by braiding, knotting or twisting the groups in a pattern. Coloured threads are interwoven in contrasting colours, so the braided length forms stripes, diamonds or spiral patterns. In some pieces, bunches of flowers, small balls or tassels are tied into the braid at intervals.

The ends are finished with ornamental tassels, often with a decorated end called the flower. Modern parandas are further decorated with beads, pearls, small mirrors, bells and gota ribbon, or made with fabric tassels and pom-poms. The finished paranda is attached to the plait when worn, so the thread is braided into the hair and the tassels hang down the back.

Key features

  • Hair ornament braided into the plait, with tassels hanging below
  • Made of silk, cotton or wool thread in contrasting colours
  • Hand-knotted and braided designs
  • Worn at weddings, festivals like Lohri and Vaisakhi, and in Giddha
  • Often chosen to match the colour of the wearer's clothes
  • Beads, mirrors, bells and gota ribbon are added in modern pieces

History

Parandas are described as a craft that began among women in Punjab, who made them as a hobby, an art and a craft in their homes. Because they were domestic work and not courtly objects, there are few detailed written records of their history, and it is hard to say how old the paranda is. What is known is that it is closely tied to Punjabi dress, to the long braid worn by girls and women, and to folk celebration.

Some accounts say specialist communities of thread workers, such as the Patwa (also called Patoli) community, have traditionally made parandas for sale. It is also said that the parandas of Patiala, along with its salwars, juttis and turbans, are among the town's best-known traditional goods.

The paranda is now worn less often than in the past, but it is being revived in new forms by designers and makers who combine it with fashion and festive wear. Many modern parandas use bright synthetic and cotton thread and extra decorations, and they are also made as hobby crafts.

Facts

  • Matches the dress Colour chosen for the outfit. A paranda is often made in colours that match the clothing of the wearer.
  • Giddha Part of the dance. Parandas are commonly worn during folk dance performances such as Giddha, and on festivals such as Lohri, Vaisakhi and Teej.
  • Women's craft Started in homes. The practice of making parandas is described as having started among women in Punjab, who made them as a hobby, an art and a craft.
  • Patiala A Patiala speciality. Patiala is known for its parandas, along with its salwars, juttis and turbans.

Market

Festive accessories and wedding sets

Parandas are sold in Punjab's markets and online, singly or in sets with other accessories, in cotton, silk and wool thread and with beads, mirrors or gota. Many of the cheaper ones are machine-made or made with synthetic thread. A hand-knotted paranda has even, tight knotting and carefully finished tassels.

Sustainability

Small, reusable and made from thread

A paranda uses little material and can be reused across outfits and occasions. Choosing cotton or silk thread over plastic beads and synthetic thread reduces plastic waste, and buying from hand workers supports a small-scale home craft.

Products

  • Thread parandas: In silk, cotton or wool thread, plain or multi-coloured
  • Tassel parandas: Knotted or fabric tassels, and pom-poms
  • Beaded and pearl parandas: Decorated with beads, pearls or bugle beads
  • Mirror-work and gota parandas: With small mirrors or gota ribbon
  • Patiala-style parandas: The classic, long and richly tasselled form

Words to know

  • Paranda / Parandi: The braided thread hair ornament of Punjab.
  • Gutt: The Punjabi word for the braid into which the paranda is tied.
  • Giddha: A women's folk dance of Punjab.
  • Gota: Metallic ribbon used to decorate textiles.
  • Ghungroo: A small metal bell, sometimes added to parandas.

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