Shaista Fatima/ New Delhi

Like every event Jashn-e-Rehta too had its share of fashionistas who were showcasing their best of attires but the winner amongst them was the quintessential Kashmiri Phiren. 

The three day biggest festival of Urdu Jashn-e-Rekhta that concludes on Sunday saw, on all the three days Phiren ruling the roost. From bright reds to subtle baby pinks, and dark blues to black, ohirens of all hues were dominating the space of the festival venue. 

Awaz the Voice-went spoke to some of the Phiren-clad women. Interestingly most of them said the outfit was a fashion styatement and a comfy dress for the winter of Delhi.

Rana Parvez, a homemaker, from Srinagar who presently lives in Delhi, says, “It fills my heart with joy to see people carrying Phirens in such a beautiful manner..”

Rana described Phiren as a long flowing gown like attire that can be worn in summers as well as winters. She says, "Phirens come in vibrant colours and various fabrics, ranging from silk, linen, velvet, fine wool and so on...".

The unique embroidery around the neckline, borders and side pockets make the garment elegant to wear. The embroidery ranges from tilla (gold or silver thread) to kaani (classic thread weave) and aari (needle work).

Rana Parvez dressed in a Khowje Phiren

Rana wears a quintessential “Khowje Phiren” design that comes in the velvet fabric with pure tilla embroidery. She said, “the unique thing about my Phiren would be its sleeves that are worn by folding it in half that also represents the elite strata of Kashmir..”

She explained Phiren as a go to dress for Kashmiris’ and said that, “it is very comfortable and easy to wear, earlier it used to be feet long but now with the evolving fashion it is normally till knees length…”

“In winters we keep “kangri” inside it as keeps us warm against sub zero and minus temperature…”, she added. She believes that the fashion of Phiren has revived and though it is a uni-sexual dress but the ones worn by women are class apart due to their fabric and designs.

Annupriya, a NSD (National School for Drama) student hailing from Bihar says, “back at our varsity we are taught about different cultures and traditions of our country and Phiren is one of my favourite as it makes me feel like a Sufi..”

Annupriya wearing a tradional woollen Phiren

She added that subtle colours of Kashmir's  dresses are very attractive and donning their traditional wear takes her somewhere in the woods amongst the Chinar and Deodars.

Wareesha, a Phd scholar at AIIMS said that Phiren for her is a sense of comfort, “it is chic, warm and it is a fashion statement nowadays as people nowadays are open to more and more cultures…”, she adds.

Wareesha in a black embroidered Phiren

Middhat, a JMI (Jamia Millia Islamia) scholar, loves the flow of Phirens and since hers was gifted by a friend hailing from Kashmir it became even special.

While some were more than happy to share their pictures, some preferred to keep it an enigma.

Phirens as worn by different ladies

Jashn-e-Rekhta is jam packed with mushairas and qawwalis’ with live interactive sessions of celebs like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar.

ALSO READ: Jashn-e-Rekhta: Jaan Shawls exhibit their heirloom from 1857

With kiosks selling food, books, clothes and calligraphy frames the grounds of Major Dhyan Chand Stadium feel alive and the vibe take the visitors back to their sophomore years.