The Lugra saree is draped in a manner suited for the active lifestyle of Koli women. It is wrapped around the waist with pleats tucked in the front, allowing ease of movement during outdoor work. The khadki, a white scarf, or dupatta, completes the attire and is worn over the upper body.
The Lugra saree is draped in a manner suited for the active lifestyle of Koli women. It is wrapped around the waist with pleats tucked in the front, allowing ease of movement during outdoor work. The khadki, a white scarf, or dupatta, completes the attire and is worn over the upper body.
Married women wear thauja, a thick mangalsutra (necklace) with multiple strands of black beads, typically consisting of five or nine strands. The woman in the picture is wearing a thauja with a pendant featuring the double fish motif, symbolic of the fishing livelihood of Kolis.
For additional coverage and to ensure it stays in place while working, women typically drape the Lugra saree by taking the pallu (the loose end of the saree) over the shoulder and tucking it at the waist in the back or bringing it around to the front.
The kanthi medallion features Agni, the Hindu God of fire. The kanthi is a multi-layer necklace made of linked chains, often featuring deities or other cultural motifs on circular medallions.
Traditionally, Lugra sarees are made from cotton or silk, both suitable for Maharashtra’s coastal climate. Cotton is preferred for everyday wear due to its breathability and comfort, while silk is often reserved for special occasions and festivals. Lugra sarees often feature bright and vibrant colours like red, green, yellow, and blue, which hold cultural significance and reflect the lively spirit of the Koli community.
The Koli man is wearing a kanthi featuring Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Both women and men wear the kanthi only on special occasions. This particular kanthi was inherited from his mother.
Koli men commonly wear gold pendants and chains. The pendant this man is wearing features a portrait of a deity, most likely Khandoba or Shinya Mahadev.
A woman adorns the mangalsutra alongside a Lakshmi Haar. The Lakshmi Haar, as its name implies, is a long necklace featuring circular designs embossed with the image of the Goddess Lakshmi, a symbol of wealth, fertility, and prosperity.