From old Mughal courts to Bollywood films and now to everyday ethnic wear, the Anarkali has travelled through time, cultures and trends without losing its grace. At Rain & Rainbow, we love this journey and reimagine it in soft, wearable anarkali kurtas online that suit real Indian days and celebrations.
Let us walk through where this silhouette came from, how it evolved and how you can enjoy it today as one of the most loved traditional dresses for women.
Who Was Anarkali? Legend, Folklore And Mughal Courts
The name “Anarkali” comes from a famous legend from the Mughal period. Folklore talks about a beautiful courtesan and court-dancer called Anarkali in the royal court of Emperor Akbar in Lahore. She is said to have shared a forbidden love with Prince Jahangir.
Whether every detail is historically accurate or not, the story has stayed alive through:
- Oral folklore and stories of the Mughal empire.
- Iconic films like Mughal-e-Azam.
- The image of a courtesan in a frock-style, heavily flared kurta dancing in the durbar.
This is where the idea of the “Anarkali dress” began: a graceful, flared silhouette worn by women in the royal court, often while performing mujra. Over time, this royal, nawabi mood became part of our shared heritage and shaped what we now call the traditional Anarkali.
Anarkali In The Mughal And Indo-Persian World
Early Anarkali-style outfits were deeply influenced by Indo-Persian culture. The Mughal empire brought in:
- Layered, flowing garments,
- Rich fabrics like silk, velvet and brocade,
- Detailed surface work such as zari, zardozi, resham and gota.
Women in the royal court and nawabi households often wore:
- Long, flared frock-style kurtas
- Fitted churidar bottoms
- A dupatta draped gracefully over the shoulders or head
These silhouettes moved beautifully in the durbar, especially when court-dancers performed. That mix of movement, volume and regal detail is exactly what makes the Anarkali feel so classic and royal even today.
Anatomy Of A Traditional Anarkali Silhouette
To understand the history behind traditional anarkali dresses, it helps to break down the garment itself. A classic Anarkali usually has:
- A fitted yoke or bodice around the bust,
- A high-waist or empire-line cut,
- Multiple kalidar panels stitched together for volume,
- A flared ghera that can be ankle-length or floor-length,
- Churidar bottoms or slim pants,
- A dupatta to complete the look.
This frock-style kurta creates a long, vertical line, which makes it very flattering for many body types. The panels and ghera add movement and grace. Whether you are walking slowly or doing a sangeet twirl, the silhouette always looks elegant.
Modern versions can also include:
- Front-slit panelled Anarkalis,
- High-low hemlines,
- Lehenga-style Anarkali gowns with extra can-can for volume,
- Floor-gown styles that almost replace a lehenga.
All of this still stays true to the main idea: a fitted top, a flowing flare and a feeling of softness and royalty.
Fabrics, Colours And Surface Work Through Time
Originally, traditional Anarkalis used rich, royal fabrics like silk, chiffon, georgette, velvet and brocade in deep jewel-tones such as emerald, ruby, maroon and royal blue. Zari, zardozi, resham embroidery, sequins, beadwork and mirrorwork often covered the yoke and borders to create that full festive look.
Today, you see Anarkalis in:
- Light, breathable cotton for everyday ethnic wear,
- Georgette or chiffon for party-wear and occasion-wear,
- Organza or net dupattas for a dreamy, festive touch,
- Pastel colours for day weddings and mehndi functions,
- Jewel-tones and metallic work for bridal sangeet and reception.
Handcrafted and artisanal details are still at the heart of these traditional dresses for women. Even when the fabric is lighter and more modern, the surface work keeps that regal, heritage feel alive.
Anarkalis In Films, Fashion And Pop Culture
Anarkalis became unforgettable on-screen through films like Mughal-e-Azam and later Jodha Akbar. Those slow spins in full-ghera Anarkalis made the silhouette feel vintage, royal and irresistibly graceful.
From there, Anarkalis moved to:
- Bollywood song sequences,
- Red-carpet looks,
- Runway shows and couture collections,
- Designer bridal and festive lines.
Each revival gave Anarkalis a new twist:
- Jacket-Anarkali looks,
- Cape-Anarkali styles,
- Indo-western Anarkali gowns,
- Fusion, belted Anarkalis for modern bridal sangeet.
This evolution keeps the style fresh while still honouring its Mughal roots and old-world elegance.
Modern Anarkali Styles: From Festive To Everyday
Today, you can find Anarkalis for almost every mood, from heavy bridal wear to simple daily ethnic wear.
Some popular styles include:
- Layered Anarkalis with sheer outer panels,
- Front-slit Anarkalis worn with palazzos or slim pants,
- Minimal, solid-colour Anarkalis for office event,
- Statement Anarkalis with bold prints or embroidery for weddings,
- Belted Anarkalis that define the waist for a contemporary, Indo-chic look.
The beauty of modern Anarkalis is that they bring comfort and elegance together. You get the graceful, feminine fall without feeling weighed down, especially when the pieces are thoughtfully designed.
How Rain & Rainbow Reimagines Anarkali Kurtas Online?
At Rain & Rainbow, we love the rich history behind traditional anarkali dresses, but we also design for real Indian women and real Indian days. That is why our approach to anarkali kurtas online focuses on:
- Cotton-first fabrics that feel soft and breathable,
- Prints and embroideries inspired by heritage, but easy to wear,
- Flattering fits that allow movement, not just posing,
- Lengths and gheras that work for everyday life and celebrations.
Instead of heavy, once-in-a-lifetime outfits, we create Anarkali kurta sets you can actually repeat for:
- Haldi, mehndi and sangeet functions,
- Small weddings and receptions,
- Festivals like Eid and Diwali,
- Family gatherings and special outings.
You get the mood of royal Anarkalis in lighter, more practical traditional dresses for women that still feel special each time you wear them.
When And How To Wear Anarkalis Today?
You can style Anarkalis in many ways depending on the occasion:
- For daytime functions: choose pastel cotton Anarkalis with minimal embroidery.
- For sangeet or mehndi: opt for printed or lightly embellished Anarkalis that twirl well.
- For receptions or Eid: pick jewel-tone pieces with zari, gota or sequins.
- For simpler days: wear an understated Anarkali kurta with straight pants and a soft dupatta.
Statement earrings, comfortable juttis or block heels and a neat dupatta drape are usually enough to complete the look. The silhouette itself does most of the work.
When you browse anarkali kurtas online at Rain & Rainbow, you can look for pieces that match your lifestyle: lighter ghera for daily wear, fuller flare and more work for bigger celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history behind traditional Anarkali dresses?
The history behind traditional anarkali dresses goes back to the Mughal era and Indo-Persian culture. The style is linked to the legend of Anarkali, a courtesan and court-dancer in Akbar’s royal court, and grew into a regal, flared silhouette worn in nawabi durbars. Over time, it evolved through films, designers and everyday fashion while keeping its classic, graceful shape.
Are Anarkalis still considered traditional dresses for women?
Yes, Anarkalis are very much seen as traditional dresses for women, especially for weddings, sangeet, mehndi, Eid and other celebrations. Modern versions may be lighter, more minimal or fusion-inspired, but the overall look still feels traditional, feminine and elegant.
What is the difference between an Anarkali gown and an Anarkali kurta set?
An Anarkali gown is usually a single, floor-length piece that looks like a gown with a lot of flare, sometimes with can-can added for volume. An Anarkali kurta set has a frock-style kurta paired with bottoms like churidar or slim pants and a dupatta. When you shop anarkali kurtas online, you usually find the second type, which is easier to wear and repeat.
Which body types do Anarkalis suit best?
Anarkalis flatter many body types because of the fitted yoke and flared ghera. The empire-line cut can balance proportions, and the vertical flow of the fabric gives a long, lean look. You can choose the amount of flare and length that feels most comfortable for your height and shape.
Where can I buy comfortable Anarkali kurtas online for everyday and festive wear?
If you want Anarkalis that feel beautiful and still easy to wear, explore Rain & Rainbow’s range of anarkali kurtas online. Our cotton-first designs, thoughtful prints and practical cuts make them ideal as repeatable, comfortable traditional dresses for women for both daily wear and celebrations.