The Sangeet Outfit.

For the groom at his own sangeet, the choices typically fall between a kurta-churidar ensemble in a rich colour (a deep teal or emerald is a popular contemporary choice), a Nehru jacket over a plain kurta in a complementary colour, or a bandhgala in a semi-formal fabric such as raw silk or a fine structured cotton. All three allow more movement than a sherwani while remaining clearly festive and dressed for the occasion.

For guests at the sangeet, the dress code is typically colourful semi-formal. A kurta-churidar in a bright or saturated colour — avoiding white and near-white, which are the groom's territory — or a Nehru jacket over a coloured kurta, or even a well-fitted printed kurta for a younger guest who wants to express personality more boldly. The sangeet is the one wedding event where individual expression in clothing is most welcomed and encouraged.

The practical requirement of the sangeet — the dancing — places specific constraints on fabric choice. Heavy brocade or stiff silk fabrics restrict movement and become uncomfortable quickly under the lights and activity of a sangeet. The better choices are lighter silks — raw silk, Chanderi, or fine silk blends — that have enough drape to move well with the body. Cotton-silk blends in structured weaves also work well: they have the festive character of silk while being lighter and more breathable.

The churidar must be in a fabric with enough stretch to allow the leg flexibility required for dancing. A cotton-lycra or a fine silk-lycra blend churidar is more comfortable for an active sangeet than a pure silk churidar that has no give. The bespoke construction ensures the churidar gathers correctly at the ankle while fitting through the seat and thigh in a way that allows free movement — a ready-made churidar that fits the thigh but strains at the seat is an obstacle rather than an outfit.