Kacheras

Kanwaljit Singh · #19 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 07:13 AM

I guess they wore kachheras with long cholas on top of it. And the cloth was thicker than what we find today, an understanding in making Kachhera from shorts to under garment.
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Ishna · #20 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 07:18 AM

Thanks for the clarifying statement on Indian clothing, ji. I'm only going on what I've read about kachera so far. Perhaps I haven't been reading the right sources.

And I may have worded my spiritual advancement comment wrong. What I'm trying to convey is that becoming Khalsa is seen as a more devout state within the Sikh panth. That is my understanding. And to be Khalsa, you have to wear the uniform. And the uniform is for men - there is no separate uniform for women that I can tell, so we wear the male uniform. Which includes the male shorts. Which become an undergarment for women and, these days, most men who wear pants over their shorts.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/14434-kacheras.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

So the question really needs to be, what is the purpose of kachera and how should they be constructed to a) still be kachera and b) be worn as an undergarment?

BhagatSingh · #21 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 07:32 AM

Ishna ji,
Kachheras for women are made much smaller. like I have said you can find ones that leave 1/2 to 2/3 of the thigh uncovered, similar to boxer shorts. Wear those ones.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

Are they not available in a nearby Gurudwara?

spnadmin · #22 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 07:40 AM

Well I have been waiting a day for someone to drop this line and no one has. So I will.

You know an Internet forum thread has reached classic form when we get our "knickers in a knot."

Ishna ji is asking some practical questions, and I wish I knew the answer. Who wants his/her kechera all bunched up? The distraction of it seems to defeat the purpose of kechera from the beginning. Here are some things from the thread so far that puzzle me, and I hope Ishna gets answers to the questions she asked.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

1. Going commando does not match well with the vows taken at amrit sanchar.

2. Who knows what women wore under their outer wear in the Gurus' times, just by looking at photographs?

3. The only Sikhs that I know of who do not wear kechera under other pants/trousers/salwar are Nihangs. For all others, kechera are underwear. But then I don't know it all.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

4. First written mention of kechera was probably in Bhai Nand Lal's rehit, and most likely mentioned in other sources, which I cannot cite off the top of my head.

5. Today, the Sikh Rehat Maryada requires kechera of both men and women. So these are part of the 5 kakkars, though I would avoid the term "uniform." The kakkars are articles of faith. "Uniform" does seem to stress a "look" rather than a state of heart and soul.

6. All Ishna wants to know is how to make/construct kechera that are compatible with modern dress. She is not conflicted about whether a Khalsa wears them, or does not.

Tradition tells us that the kechera were designed as an improvement over dhoti by Guru Gobind Singh, and were worn by his fighting force before the first Baisakhi. Why would a Sikh warrior want to be caught with his dhoti down? This again cannot be proved, but the common sense of it persuades me.

Kanwaljit Singh · #23 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

And the uniform is for men - there is no separate uniform for women that I can tell, so we wear the male uniform.

What makes you think so

BhagatSingh · #24 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 07:47 AM

Kanwaljit Singh ji,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanwaljit Singh

I guess they wore kachheras with long cholas on top of it. And the cloth was thicker than what we find today, an understanding in making Kachhera from shorts to under garment.

We see them wearing short cholas in paintings.

Mai Harinder Kaur · #25 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 08:03 AM

What is the problem here? Kacheray are comfortable, modest and mandated as one of the 5 kakkars.

Most of mine are made by my beloved mother-in-law, stitch by stitch, hand sewn in lovely pastel shades. I have used them as the bottoms of a swim suit as well as shorts in the summertime, although usually in my own yard.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

They are cut in such a way that no matter how you twist and squirm, your business remains covered, thus allowing you to fight whatever battles may occur without loss of modesty. I have looked and looked online for a proper pattern and have been unable to find one. I admit that I do not know exactly how to cut them and would really appreciate someone somewhere posting explicit directions.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434
One more comment on kachera can be found in a recent post in The Road To Khalistan, Sewa.

Ishna · #26 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 10:35 AM

Bhagat ji, I've never asked about them at the Gurdwara I go to. I asked about getting keski fabric and they looked at me funny so I don't know how I'd ask about kachera! I'm sure if I brought it up with Gyani ji he'd understand though. What a strange thing to talk about to a man though! *starts blushing already *
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

SPNadmin ji: thanks for summarising the thread!

Kanwaljit ji: there is a reference somewhere (I can dig it up if you like) about Mai Bhago, where she is honoured with the male clothing to be one of Guru Gobind Singh's group. I can find peace with the issue if I am reasonable with myself and consider that a standard method of dress was required and the one chosen is the most practical. Now whether or not it is male or female style is beside the point. Females can jazz up the look with a chunni.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=14434

Mai ji: thanks for the personal info.

I love it, it gives discussion a reality check and brings the lifestyle into the real world. Checking your link out now.

Maybe I'll buy some 'shapewear' for the thighs and call them my kachera. teehee

Kanwaljit Singh · #27 (**permalink**) 03-Oct-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Mai Bhago, where she is honoured with the male clothing to be one of Guru Gobind Singh's group

Really? But it still doesn't make male one different from female attire. The basic idea is of wide pyajama like wear which comes down to knees using a triangle cut and has string long enough that it can be tied all way around after knotting up.