churni

Churni, often spelled chunri or chunri, is a term used in South Asia to refer to a decorative scarf or veil worn by women. The item is typically a square or rectangular piece of cotton or silk, dyed in bright colors and frequently embellished with embroidery, mirror work, or other decorative techniques. In many communities, chunri is associated with traditional dress and ritual occasions; it is commonly used as a head covering, shawl, or dupatta, particularly among women in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and surrounding regions, though it also appears in Punjabi and North Indian wardrobes and in Pakistan.

Chunri fabrics are notable for their vivid dye patterns. Bandhani or leheriya tie-dye techniques, as well as block printing, are commonly used to create patterns. The print and color choices often signal regional identity, ceremonial purpose, or marital status; red, pink, and yellow are frequent for weddings, while other colors appear in everyday wear. The fabric may also be decorated with embroidery or ornamentation to suit festive occasions.

The spelling churni is a transliteration variant of chunri. The concept is widely documented in textile catalogs and cultural studies under the name chunri, reflecting its regional significance in the textile traditions of the Indian subcontinent. In modern contexts, chunri/churni fabrics are produced for fashion, home décor, and craft markets, preserving traditional dyeing and embellishment techniques alongside contemporary designs.