‘I feel more beautiful in a punjabi suit, and a woman through and through’

April 20, 2023 Luisa Rey

Photography: Judith Anna Pronk

Prabhjot Kaur Pamma (32) was born in India and wears a Punjabi suit every Sunday. She is married to Gagandeep Singh Grover (38) and mother of two daughters: Sehaj Kaur (6) and Harasees Kaur (2).

“I am from the Punjab region of northern India. Traditionally, the Punjabi suit is worn there: wide trousers, a blouse with long sleeves and a scarf.

Punjabi suit

In the Netherlands, where I have lived since I was four, I see more and more young girls wearing a Punjabi suit as a fashion item. Or even a variant without sleeves. Fine to show your body, but do it in a different outfit, I think. You should wear a Punjabi suit out of respect for your culture and religion. It should cover your body.

“Even in a traditional Punjabisuit I am a modern woman”

I regularly make TikTok videos about my faith and cultural background. That sometimes produces nasty reactions: I would be too old-fashioned, not open to change. Nonsense, because I just dye my hair and wear make-up. Even in a traditional punjabi suit I am a modern woman.

Passing on culture

I think it’s important to pass on the Indian culture to my daughters. For example, Sehaj is taught the Punjabi script and we pray every Sunday in our temple, the Gurudwara. Sehaj knows exactly what time it is when I go to iron her suit. “Are we going to the Gurudwara?” she exclaims happily.

The girls often grab a sheet of bindi stickers. The bindi – a dot on the forehead – is not part of the suit, but they just think it’s a beautiful piece of jewelry.

I myself have thirty types of Punjabi suits. I bought most of them in India. Nowadays they are also made in the Netherlands, but they are slightly different. In the West they follow fashion and make trousers with straight legs, for example, while the traditional suit has pleats. Also, the Dutch version does not have a cord around the waist, but elastic has been used.

Read also – Dressed in traditional costume: ‘I am a down-to-earth Dutchman, but my jewelery gives me strength’ >

Performance

In my spare time I give punjabi dance lessons to women. I always wear a suit, just like at my performances. For example, I danced at a festival during the Indian festival of lights, Diwali. Even during rehearsals, just at home in front of the mirror, I put on a punjabi suit. I feel more beautiful and confident in it. Woman through and through, too. Moreover, my movements look more charming and because I am covered, people do not look at my body during a performance, but purely at the dance.”