The Daura Suruwal, also called the Labeda Suruwal, is the traditional dress for Nepalese men. It also is worn in Sikkim and Darjeeling. It consists of a knee-length, wrapped tunic top (the daura) over salwar pants (the suruwal).
The daura suruwal also has eight strings, each called the Byagini, the Kumari, the Barahi, the Brahmayani, the Indrayani, the Maheshowri, the Byasnabi, and the Mahalaxmi. These strings tie the daura up around the body. Eight is an auspicious number in Nepal. The daura also has five pleats (kallis), signifying Pancha Buddhia or Pancha Ratna. Finally the closed collar represents the snake around Lord Shiva’s neck.
History
The daura suruwal has been traditional dress for Nepalese men for at least 900 years. On a diplomatic trip to England, Prime Minister Bir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana wore a daura suruwal, popularizing it further among the Nepalese people. He was gifted with a fine coat by Queen Victoria and created the trend of wearing a suit jacket with the daura suruwal.
Since then, various political groups and activists have re-adopted the daura suruwal as a symbol of culture and Nepali nationalism. It was declared the national dress of Nepal in the 1960s. But since then the act of denoting a national dress has been made illegal in Nepal, though the daura suruwal is still considered quintessentially Nepalese.
Culture, Community, & Styles
Daura suruwals are worn by Nepalese grooms fairly often, though many opt for Western suits instead. The wedding daura suruwal is often made of fine dhaka fabric. Dhaka is a type of handwoven textile by the Limbu people of east Nepal. Wedding daura suruwals often contain dhaka woven through with metallic thread. Nepalese grooms accessorize with a dhaka topi.
Photo courtesy of Maritha Mae Photography
Male attendees to Nepalese weddings will wear plainer daura suruwals made of neutral cottons and wool blends. The preferred colors are ecru, white, and pistachio green. To separate the groom from the guests, male guests will wear coats with their daura suruwals. This combination style is often worn by Nepalese men to other formal occasions as well.
Photo courtesy of Sodhancha
Designs
Dhaka fabric often contains geometric designs like diamonds and hexagons. While dhaka fabric comes in a variety of colors, it always looks bright. Favorite colors for dhaka and wedding daura suruwals are red, silver, blue, and dark green.
From Dhaka Weaves
Inspiration
Though the daura suruwal has been waning in popularity among young Nepalese people, many Nepalese grooms in the diaspora are rocking traditional daura suruwals at their nuptials.
Photo courtesy of Jessamyn Harris Photography
The diversity of communities, tribes, and people within Nepal is belied only by the country’s love of the daura suruwal. Though it reached the peak of its popularity in the 1960s, many people within Nepal and its diaspora are working to bring it back into style. We’ll definitely be seeing it on fashion runways soon.