The Punjabi Parandi — Patiala's Silk Hair Tassel

The story

The parandi (or paranda) is Punjab's most beloved hair ornament: a bundle of silk threads braided into a woman's plait so that its tasselled ends swing at the small of her back. It appears everywhere in Punjabi folk culture — sung about in boliyan, flicked in the swirl of giddha, gifted to brides by in-laws as part of the wedding trousseau. For generations the craft has been sustained by women artisans, and its finest expression belongs to Patiala. The city's bazaars, long attached to a royal court that prized adornment, remain the place to buy a parandi, their shops hung with cascades of colour-matched tassels. A parandi is chosen the way jewellery is: matched to a suit, to a dupatta, to an occasion. Red and gold for the wedding day; parrot green and magenta for Teeyan, the monsoon festival when women return to their parental homes to swing and dance. In an age of short haircuts, the parandi persists — brides wear it over extensions, dancers braid it in for performances, and designers keep re-issuing it as a statement accessory.

How it is made

A parandi begins as hanks of silk thread — traditionally pure silk, now often blended — sorted by colour and gathered into three thick strands. The maker knots them firmly at the crown end, then hand-braids the strands into a tight, even plait long enough to intertwine with the wearer's own hair. The art is in the finishing: each strand ends in a tassel, or phuman, a full pom-pom built by binding and shearing dozens of thread loops. Around these the craftswoman adds her flourishes — glass beads, mirrors, gota ribbon, zari-wrapped balls, sometimes tiny shells. A bridal parandi may carry layered tassels and metallic accents; an everyday one stays light so it moves freely. Everything is knotted and bound by hand; nothing is machine-stitched.

Buying guide

Match length first: a parandi should run the length of your braid with tassels to spare, so ask for the measurement before choosing. Pure silk thread has a soft, heavy drape and gentle sheen; shiny, springy thread is synthetic and sits stiffer. Look for dense, evenly sheared tassels and firm knots that will not shed. Simple everyday parandis typically cost ₹150–₹500; beaded and mirrored pieces sit mid-range; elaborate bridal parandis with layered phumans reach ₹2,000–₹2,500.

Care

Store a parandi flat or loosely coiled in a cloth pouch, away from moisture and direct sun, which fades silk. After wear, finger-comb the tassels straight; never drag a brush through the braided section. Spot-clean only — dabbing with a barely damp cloth — since soaking loosens knots and bleeds dye. Keep perfume off the threads, and let the piece air before storing.

Frequently asked questions