Pakistan- Presenting 'Chail' in a novel way lands Swabi University girls in trouble

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) Khalida Niaz

PESHAWAR: The female students of Swabi University have come under criticism for presenting the famous traditional chaddar 'Chail' as a blouse over Abaya during a function at the university.

Few days ago, the female students of Swabi University during the sports gala function presented the Chail as blouse over Abaya. The video of the event went viral on the social media which got mixed reaction with some terming it a welcome move to bring innovation in the dress, while some terming it against the local traditions.

Abdul Sami Khan, a subscriber of social media, said the girls made a mockery of Chail. He asked what the vice chancellor is doing.

Another subscriber, Pakhtoon, wrote that he is proud of cultural norms and oppose propaganda against it. He said no one can be allowed to make a mockery of traditions.

Another commenter, Bazidkhel, also criticised the action of the girls.

Not only on social media, but local people are also criticising the girls for presenting the Chail as blouse.

Shaukat Ali Anjum, a local resident, said while talking to TNN that presenting Chail as a blouse tantamount to insulting local traditions. He said he doesn't know the motive behind this act, but Chail could also have been presented in a more respectable way as a chaddar.

Mah Gul, the fashion designer of the dress code, told TNN that she wanted to promote Chail by bringing an innovation. However, she said, it was unfortunate that some people gave it a wrong colour.

Mah Gul, who is a textile designer in Swabi, said she has introduced a fashion brand in Swabi which aims to empower the women working from their homes and introduce their work online. She said she had designed the dress for the university event with the cooperation of the Law Department. She said she wanted to present Chail in a new style and inform the people about its importance. She said she is also promoting Chail through her brand 'Gul Hadi' as it is on its logo and also on brand shopping bags.

Mah Gul said the history of Chail in Swabi is very old, therefore, she wanted to inform the world about it.

Professor Noorul Amin Yousafzai from the Pashto Department of Islamia College University said while talking to TNN that according to local traditions, whenever a Pakhtun fighter died or sustained injuries in fight against Sikh rulers during the reign of Ranjeet Singh, the local women used to put a white chaddar on them and used to wear that blood stained chaddar as a mark of respect for martyrs and injured persons. Wearing of this kind of chaddar became a tradition and Swabi women are keeping this tradition alive. He said innovations in dresses is a fact which comes with time and there is no harm in it as such. He appreciated the university girls for presenting the cultural aspect of Swabi in a novel way.

Mah Gul said innovations always come under criticism in a traditional set up, but she was particularly disturbed over negative comments on girls. She said girls in our society already face problems and now this kind of criticism will further increase their problems. She vowed to continue to work for promotion of culture and traditions of Swabi.

MENAFN1903202001890000ID1099879858