Kareena Kapoor Khan has brought a familiar Indian textile into the spotlight again. At the music launch of Daayra in Mumbai, she stepped out in a pastel rainbow leheriya saree, pairing the lightweight drape with a white strappy blouse and minimal jewellery.
The look soon drew comparisons with another Kapoor sister. Karisma Kapoor had worn a similar leheriya saree in the 2001 film Zubeidaa. Kareena then joined the two moments herself, sharing a collage of her look alongside Karisma’s film still on Instagram Stories on 11 September.
But there is more to leheriya than its latest Bollywood moment. The pattern has deep roots in Rajasthan and has moved from traditional textiles to contemporary fashion over generations.
So, what exactly is leheriya, and how did this Rajasthani craft become a recurring Bollywood fashion favourite?
ALSO READ: Sonam Kapoor’s Pichwai Dupatta Has A Centuries-Old Story Behind It
What Is Leheriya?
Leheriya is a traditional tie-dye technique associated with Rajasthan.
The name comes from lehar, meaning “wave”. That is reflected in its most recognisable feature: diagonal, wave-like stripes running across the fabric.
Unlike Bandhani, which creates patterns through small tied sections or dots, leheriya is made by rolling the fabric diagonally and tying it at intervals before dyeing it. When the fabric is opened, the characteristic flowing stripes appear.
The craft has traditionally been used for turbans, sarees, odhnis and other garments. Rajasthan’s government craft portal notes that leheriya was originally associated with two-colour patterns, while later versions developed into more varied combinations.
ALSO READ: Anshula Kapoor’s Pre-Wedding Lehenga Took 1,600 Hours To Make, What’s The Story Behind it?
From Rajasthan To Fashion Trend
Leheriya has been part of Rajasthan’s textile tradition for centuries. Its strongest association remains with cities including Jaipur and Jodhpur.
The craft also went through different phases in fashion. Vogue India notes that leheriya had its heyday in the 19th century, particularly in turbans, before designers began adapting the technique for contemporary garments.
That shift helped move leheriya beyond its traditional uses.
Today, the technique appears on sarees, dupattas, lehengas, kurtas and other Indian-wear pieces. Designers have also experimented with fabrics, colours and silhouettes, making the traditional diagonal pattern work with more contemporary wardrobes.
ALSO READ: What Is Kanjeevaram Silk? The Story Behind India's Most Iconic Saree
Then Bollywood Kept Bringing It Back
Bollywood has repeatedly used leheriya as part of its visual language.
Karisma Kapoor’s Zubeidaa look is one of the references that has returned to the conversation now. The Shyam Benegal-directed film was released in 2001, with Karisma playing the titular character.
Leheriya has also appeared in the wardrobes of several other Bollywood actors. A fashion retrospective shared after Kareena’s latest look highlighted appearances by actors including Rekha, Rani Mukerji, Alia Bhatt and Shilpa Shetty.
The connection is not limited to films either. Celebrity fashion has helped place the traditional craft in modern festive wardrobes. Vogue India, for instance, previously highlighted leheriya looks worn by Kiara Advani, Anushka Sharma, Shilpa Shetty and Kareena herself.
Kareena had previously worn a yellow leheriya saree by Nikasha at cousin Armaan Jain’s wedding in 2020.
ALSO READ: Why Zari Still Matters In Modern Fashion: Craft, History And Change
Kareena’s Latest Leheriya Saree Has A Karisma Kapoor Connection
For the Daayra music launch, Kareena wore a pastel rainbow leheriya saree from The Palace Atelier, featuring yellow, turquoise, seafoam green and blush pink shades. She paired the chiffon saree with a white strappy blouse, double-layered diamond choker and matching studs, keeping her hair in soft waves with understated makeup and a nude-pink lip.
The look also had a Bollywood connection. On 11 September, Kareena shared a collage of her saree alongside Karisma Kapoor’s similar leheriya look from the 2001 film Zubeidaa. She added the film’s song “Main Albeli” and wrote, “Well, I always knew we have good taste… sisters forever”, tagging Karisma. Karisma later reshared the Story.
The two looks, separated by more than two decades, show how leheriya’s signature waves can move between generations while the colours, fabrics and styling change with fashion.
ALSO READ: A Saree That Begins as Knots, Not Cloth
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What is leheriya?
A traditional Rajasthani tie-dye technique known for diagonal, wave-like stripes.
Where did it originate?
It is closely associated with Rajasthan, particularly Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Why is Kareena Kapoor’s saree being discussed?
Her pastel rainbow leheriya saree at the Daayra music launch recalled Karisma Kapoor’s similar look in Zubeidaa.
What did Kareena do?
She shared a collage of her look with Karisma’s Zubeidaa look on Instagram Stories.
When was Zubeidaa released?
The film, directed by Shyam Benegal and starring Karisma Kapoor, was released in 2001.
How did leheriya become part of modern fashion?
Designers have adapted the traditional technique into sarees, dupattas, lehengas, kurtas and contemporary occasion wear.
Has Kareena worn leheriya before?
Yes. She previously wore a yellow leheriya saree by Nikasha at Armaan Jain’s wedding in 2020.
ALSO READ: The Journey From Dupatta To Scandinavian Scarf At The Red Carpet
ALSO READ: The Story Of The Nath: From Bridal Tradition To Cannes Fashion
