According to research, traces of the dupatta go all the way back to the Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic Period of ancient India. In primeval Sanskrit literature, it has been given many names such as - uttariya or shoulder-cloth, avagunthana or cloak and mukha-pata or veil to cover the face. The dupatta has a history of being a modesty garment- Women generally wear it to cover their heads as a sign of respect in places of worship; this practice has been a tradition for centuries and is followed even today. 

In modern times, with the popularity of Bollywood, dupattas became a fashion statement and symbol of romance. The fluidity of this accessory allows the wearer to wrap it and style it in various ways. The varying local fabrics, prints and embroidery only add to its value and cultural importance.

Across Asia and specifically, India, there are various styles and types of dupattas that are indigenous to certain regions. They are famous for their local fabrics, embroidery, and other crafts of the region of production/origin. For example, the Phulkari dupatta of Punjab is famous for its rich thread embroidery and mirrorwork. The Banarasi dupattas owe their popularity to the city of Benaras whereas, the Bandhani or Bandhej dupattas are Rajasthan’s pride. Even Gujarat is known for crafting bandhej styles. 

Exquisite hand-painted Kalamkari dupattas are an important part of Indian heritage. Their origin can be traced way back when they were an important trade article among Indian and Persian traders. Kalamkari paintings depict Indian figurines and elements of nature, traditionally done with natural colours. A dupatta is a long scarf or shawl that is often worn with traditional South Asian outfits such as a lehenga or salwar kameez.

The emergence of dupattas as a modest garment paved the way for its adaptation as a daily garment. Not only in places of worship but also at home, the dupatta offered a way to show respect to elders. With time, its importance for modesty shifted to a fashion accessory. Thinner and more sheer dupattas 

gained popularity, and instead of being worn over the head, they are now draped across the shoulder. The significance and uses of the dupatta still remain versatile and have multiple utility purposes. 

The charm of the dupatta is that since its dimensions are relatively standardized, it can act as a blank canvas for any print, fabric, colour, embroidery, or embellishment. While most dupattas are paired with specific outfits to complete the look, lately, it is the stand-alone dupattas that can be accessorized according to one’s choice. 

The oldest and most popular way of wearing a dupatta is by draping it over the shoulders, either from behind or the front. The loose ends of the dupatta are wrapped around to cover the chest area, pinned on any one side of the shoulder or, suspended behind both shoulders. Draping styles are purely regional and influenced by trends. 

Dupattas may be the largest fashion export out of Bollywood, with several songs being dedicated entirely to the drape. It is a symbol of femininity and elegance. Early 90’s Bollywood popularized sheer and thinner dupattas as fashion accessories. Actresses like Madhuri Dixit and Kareena Kapoor popularized chiffon dupattas wrapped around the neck, whereas Kajol immortalized the red dupatta 

with white kurta set combo as ‘Anjali’s’ look. Several other dupatta trends were born out of Bollywood movies that are still very much in trend. 

Since they started out as a modesty garment, early dupattas resembled a shawl covering the front body. Engravings from the Indus Valley civilization suggest that they were used by men and women to cover their entire torsos. During the Mughal Period, they were very popular among both men and women. 

The style of dupatta they wore was known as, Khara Dupatta, used in wedding rituals and as a customary part of the wedding ensemble across the Indian subcontinent. 

Today, contrast dupattas with intricate work are commonly being worn with fusion outfits to achieve an Indo-Western look. With increasing focus on handlooms, it is common to see heavy-detailed work 

dupattas act as a statement piece to an otherwise simpler outfit.