4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Wrap battle: Scottish kilt vs Indian sari in heartwarming viral video
Music, dance, and art have always bridged cultures across continents, but sometimes, a simple piece of fabric can tell stories that transcend borders. That's the premise of a viral video bringing together two traditional garments from vastly different corners of the world: the Scottish Great Kilt and the Indian sari.
In the video, Andrew McAlindon, better known as Andy the Highlander, teams up with Harvinder, a Glasgow-based content creator and folk performer of Indian origin, to draw fascinating parallels between their traditional attire. Andy rolls out on a field, demonstrating the age-old method of wrapping the Great Kilt, while Harvinder gracefully drapes the sari with practised ease.
'No buttons, no stitches. Just a piece of fabric, pleated, folded, and wrapped with skill and pride,' Andy says in the video. 'Both are unstitched lengths of fabric, draped and tied to the body. Both carry stories of resilience, identity, and ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, and both make you feel connected to something.'
Andy shared the video on his Instagram @andythehighlander, saying, 'The Scottish Great Kilt and the Indian Sari may come from different parts of the world, but both are powerful symbols of cultural heritage. After I posted my first 'kilt video' I had lots of comments mentioning that there were similarities between the Great Kilt and the Sari. Today, we get to see them side by side! Filmed with my wonderful friend Harvinder @ these traditional garments are similar not just in how they're worn, but in what they represent.'
The video struck a chord across the Internet, amassing over 2.1 million views and 226,000 likes, resonating with viewers who found beauty in the shared heritage of seemingly disparate cultures.
A post shared by Andrew McAlindon (@andythehighlander)
The comments section turned into a celebration of cultural exchange. One user said, 'She's all twirly when she dresses while he's down and rolling on the ground. It's a delightful difference.' Another wrote, 'Glad you covered this actually! I've had people ask about comparing these two garments! Fantastic!'
A third user said, 'Harvinder tried speaking in Hindi before her Punjabi leaked in. I feel ya, Harvinder, I feel ya.' Another comment brought in a linguistic perspective: 'One thing I find super cool is how similarities between Celtic languages and South Asian languages are how the concept of the proto-Indo-European language came about. Cultures are very far removed geographically but that retain some similarities that go back to ancient times. I think it's really beautiful!'
Andy the Highlander is a Scottish tour guide and content creator, is known for his engaging videos exploring the history, myths, and traditions of Scotland.
