0 months ago
Rimple Narulah defends Ramayana costumes amid accuracy criticism
A new movie called Ramayana, based on a very old Indian story, is being made with famous actors.
Before the movie even came out, people saw pictures of the characters' clothes.
Some people did not like the outfits because they thought the clothes did not look like they were from the olden times.
Many people asked why Sita was wearing a blouse.
The person who made the clothes, named Rimple, explained that she did a lot of research.
She said she used natural colors and fabrics that people used long ago.
She also said the colors of the clothes show what each character is feeling, like sadness or goodness.
She asked people to wait until the movie comes out before judging.
She said the costumes were also made so actors could move easily while doing fight scenes.
Rimple hopes the costumes will one day be shown in a museum.
Costume designer Rimple Narulah defended her looks for Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi's Ramayana after online criticism.
Critics questioned stitched blouses, ornate drapes and contemporary silhouettes, with some comparing the looks to television serials.
The biggest controversy was Sita's blouse, which many felt did not belong to the Treta Yuga era.
Narulah said the team used natural dyes and handwoven fabrics and deliberately avoided synthetic textiles and powerloom-made clothing.
She said Kaikeyi's green blouse represents Mother Earth and her purple saree reflects the turmoil of her decision, and she chose not to recreate the ancient kanchuki bodice.
The designer asked audiences to wait until the film releases and hoped the costumes would eventually be displayed in a museum.
- Who
- Costume designer Rimple Narulah, along with actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Yash.
- What
- Rimple Narulah defended her costume designs for the Ramayana film against criticism that they were historically inaccurate.
- Where
- India, in the context of the Bollywood film industry; the article references North Indian audiences.
- When
- Date not specified in the article; the debate follows the release of the film's first look, ahead of the film's release.
- Why
- Critics questioned the use of stitched blouses and contemporary silhouettes as era-inappropriate, while the designer said her choices were rooted in research, natural fabrics and artistic interpretation.
Critics of the costumes
Designer Rimple Narulah
Historical accuracy
Critics of the costumes
The stitched blouses and contemporary silhouettes do not belong to the Treta Yuga era and are historically inaccurate.
Designer Rimple Narulah
The looks are rooted in research, using natural dyes, natural fabrics and handwoven textiles to achieve authenticity.
Use of blouses
Critics of the costumes
Sita's blouse, in particular, is inappropriate for the period in which the epic is set.
Designer Rimple Narulah
Her interpretation draws on iconography, calendar art and temple sculptures of goddesses in sarees with blouses; she deliberately avoided the kanchuki to create a rooted yet relatable Indian identity.
Visual style
Critics of the costumes
The styling resembles television serials rather than a grand epic film.
Designer Rimple Narulah
Every detail has meaning, including color stories for each character, and the costumes balance authenticity with wearability for combat sequences.
Key facts
- Film
- Ramayana
- Costume designer
- Rimple Narulah
- Lead actors
- Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi
- Characters in debate
- Sita (Sai Pallavi), Kaikeyi (Lara Dutta), Shurpanakha (Rakul Preet Singh)
- Main controversy
- Sita's stitched blouse, deemed not belonging to the Treta Yuga
- Designer's defense
- Natural dyes, natural fabrics, handwoven textiles; no tulle, nets, synthetics or powerloom fabrics
- Color symbolism
- Kaikeyi's green blouse = Mother Earth; purple saree = turmoil and darkness of her decision
- Design choice
- Consciously avoided recreating the kanchuki, the ancient fitted bodice
Quotes
Rimple Narulah
Designer of the Ramayana film costumes
“"Ramayana is not just another epic saga getting remade. It has always lived in our consciousness."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"Lord Ram is synonymous with calmness and valour, while Ravana represents ego."”
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