IPKKND Color Analysis: Arnav’s outfits [Payash Wedding Track]
If you’d like to read my analysis of Khushi’s outfits during this track, click here!
Note: Since the colors Khushi’s wears are vivid and varied, they explicitly reflect her state of being and the emotional graph of their relationship. On the other hand, the colors that Arnav wears are often limited and minimal, and so the symbolism of his color palette is multi-dimensional and each individual color serves several purposes. Every color he wears takes a different meaning depending on his emotional state and the context of the situation, as I will attempt to analyze here. These are just my personal observations based on research - I’d love to know what you think!
Showing up on stage to dance with her, Khushi’s knight in shining armor is dressed in all black - a black shirt with his sleeves rolled up, paired with a black waistcoat and black pants.
“As a color of mystique, black conjures elegance, sophistication, and sexual prowess.”
He is walking (or should I say dancing) seduction to Khushi, and he knows it. He confidently touches her, displays his haq over her, intimately moves in sync with her because he is aware that she feels for him what he does for her. There is love, but in this moment it is overpowered by the undeniable attraction between them. This is evident not just by the dance that they share, but also by her dhak dhaks and his flirtatious remarks and actions post the performance, both of which fluster Khushi while adding fuel to the burning lust she feels for this man she has fallen for.
Arnav keeps the collar of his black shirt open: while a closed collar may convey formality and reserve, an open collar and exposure of the neck is perceived as being relaxed and vulnerable. It may also indicate flirtation or seduction, as the neck is seen as a sensitive and erogenous part of the body. Arnav has no guards up here; there is no pretense. He bares his emotional and physical feelings for her, urging her to do the same.
Adding to that, he’s got his sleeves rolled up. “Women usually perceive this body language as masculine and sexy since it puts the forearms on display.” I mean, need I say more? ;)
Dressed in all black, Arnav mystifies, seduces, hypnotizes and possesses his lady love.
On the day of the Mehendi, Arnav wears a white shirt with an open collar and rolled up sleeves, paired with a black waistcoat and black pants.
While black oozes seduction and confidence, white symbolizes new beginnings, just as a blank canvas. Nothing is the same after the dance they have shared the night before. This is new territory: the misunderstandings of the past are forgiven, stolen glances are replaced with lingering gazes, and there is hope, of a new beginning. Once again, his collar is open to expose much of his chest, representing his vulnerability and lack of reserve.
“Black traps space, while white opens space. Black evokes sophistication; white communicates innocence. It’s clear: black and white are opposites.”
The black waistcoat paired with the white shirt functions as a beautiful dichotomy. As opposites, sensuous black and innocent white work well together to mirror the dynamic swirl of emotions Arnav is feeling for Khushi. He is flirtatious, but it is laced with purity. He pulls her closer by her dupatta and plants a searing kiss on her cheek, but he is also touched when she is anxious about his absence, and pleased when he sees his initials on her mehendi. While the sangeet was all about attraction, here there is more. The feelings are new and represent blooming, innocent love.
Dressed in black and white, Arnav is both a playful flirt and a charming lover.
During Payal and Akash’s havan ceremony, Arnav is dressed in a navy shirt without a collar (this time it’s a fancy version of a v-neck!), paired with a steel grey waistcoat and grey pants.
“Navy blue is just as easily reminiscent of the deep, blue ocean.”
The blue that Arnav wears represents the blue ocean that his name represents, as he watches the ambulance drive away with the belief that his Khushi is inside. He is struck by disbelief, reduced to an almost childlike state of panic with the fear of loss. The child in him is still in grief from his parents’ death, in particular his mother’s - so when he believes he’s lost the woman he loves, the ocean that so effortfully tries to stay unaffected rages into a devastated storm.
“Do you even know what I’m going through? Do you know how worried I was? I thought I lost you. What if you were in that ambulance? What if I lost you?”
When Khushi asks him why it matters, why he cares, he is unable to voice his feelings and acknowledge the reason. “It’s neither one thing nor the other–as in “grey area.” The grey of his waistcoat and pants mirror the grey area that their relationship is in - without a name. On one hand he buys her bangles, yet on the other, he refuses to confess why he does so.
Unlike in the past, this time Arnav wears a shirt that is more of a v neck. While an open collar indicates openness and vulnerability, the complete lack of a collar presents him in his utmost vulnerable state as he falls deeper in love, which leads to the self realization of his feelings later that night.
Dressed in navy blue and grey, Arnav grapples with the potential trauma/past trigger of loss, and struggles to define and utter his feelings.
Morning/Afternoon of the Wedding Day
Arnav wears a white shirt with the collar buttoned, along with a black waistcoat, tie, and suit.
At this point, Arnav has admitted and accepted his feelings regarding Khushi to himself. On this day, he makes the monumental decision of confessing his feelings to the woman he loves, which is why it’s no wonder that he is seen wearing a three piece suit for the significant occasion. Formal wear elicits feelings of power, control and confidence. He is a man on a mission, and he sure looks the part.
“The suit and tie indicate alpha male power traits, which adds to the appeal.”
Arnav has switched from the relaxed, open collar shirts we have previously seen to a closed collar paired with a tie, mirroring his state of mind accordingly. If he was lazily exploring his relationship with Khushi previously, at present he possesses resolve. He has clarity. He wishes to name this relationship, and he means business as he makes up his mind to confess.
White represents new beginnings, a blank slate on which Arnav and Khushi can dream of a future together as they move past the misunderstandings and pains of the past. Black represents self confidence and taking control, both reflected in his decision to voice his emotions, which he is now fully resolute about.
Dressed in formal wear of black and white, Arnav decides to come forward with his feelings for Khushi with confidence and hope for the future.
Evening of the Wedding Day
Arnav is seen in the same outfit as the morning/afternoon of the wedding day.
Arnav opens the terrace door and witnesses Shyam hugging the woman he loves, listens to her telling his brother in law to leave his sister. Earlier, I mentioned how white symbolizes new beginnings. This is truly a new beginning, but a catastrophic one: the beginning of the end. This time, every last hope for the future is erased, and his image of Khushi is shattered. White symbolizes a blank slate once again.
“White is often used to depict purity and the redemption of sin.”
Arnav becomes the catalyst for redemption, but not for sins of his own, but for Shyam’s. He’s desperate to correct calamities. He’s desperate to avoid history being repeated. He has watched his parents crumble and die due to infidelity; he cannot let it happen once again to his Di.
The color black, again, reflects taking control. Arnav, although distraught and shaken, takes control of the situation in ways he sees fit. He confronts Shyam, decides to reveal the truth to Anjali (albeit couldn’t), and eventually, decides to coerce Khushi into marrying him. All of these decisions are made in an attempt to take control.
The same closed collar that represented drive and intention now symbolizes constraint and suffocation after seeing the woman he loves in the arms of his sister’s husband. His tie in particular represents his suffocation. When Arnav reaches his room after witnessing Shyam and Khushi on the terrace, he yanks off his tie and blazer and flings them away in an attempt to release his overbearing emotions.
With the physical representations of his suffocation thrown away in an act of anguish, the now open collar conveys just how emotionally vulnerable and helpless he feels.
Dressed in black and white, this time the colors represent Arnav taking control to amend sin.
On the night of the wedding, Arnav is seen wearing a black shirt with a buttoned collar, a midnight blue tie, a midnight blue waistcoat, and a black suit.
At this time, Arnav has already taken the time to momentarily grieve and process what he had witnessed on the terrace. Not only has he just found out that his brother in law is a vile traitor and the woman he loves is (in his eyes) a lying cheat, he has just come to terms with the monumental news that his sister is carrying her traitor’s child. He has now come to the decision on how he will play the cards he’s been dealt, in the way he sees fit. According to color psychology, blue is associated with trustworthiness and reliability. For the sake of protecting his sister, he manipulates Khushi to marry him, regardless of how much it pains him to do so because to him, everything is justified in order to be his Di’s protector.
“Midnight blue also conveys confidence, power and authority, while its deep hue can also come across as dark and mysterious.”
By forcing her to marry him, Arnav abuses his power over Khushi as he intimidates her with breaking her sister’s marriage if she doesn’t comply. The mysteriousness of midnight blue is reflected through the mystery behind his actions in Khushi’s eyes. Why is he doing this? What has changed? The Rajkumar has morphed into the Raakshas.
Although he wears a midnight blue waistcoat and tie, they almost look black in certain lighting, which makes it seem as though he is dressed in all black. Arnav wore all black during the sangeet as well - though at that point - it represented the seductive and mystifying side of the color. Now, the symbolism is drastically different, showing the dark and gritty side.
“Black hides vulnerabilities: It conceals weaknesses, such as weight, feelings, and emotions.” Arnav does not, cannot have any place in his heart for vulnerabilities as he stands by duty. His two weaknesses, his Di and Khushi, are now pitted against each other in his mind. The woman who is having an affair with his pregnant sister’s husband. And so, he has chosen to destroy one weakness to protect the other.
“Black intimidates: Its boldness intimidates those around, creating an invisible sense of power.” Arnav utilizes fear to present his demanding ultimatum to Khushi, instilling trepidation regarding the potential destruction of Payal and Akash’s marriage.
“Black depresses – It brings moods down, allowing sad and depressive thoughts.” His actions lead to a domino effect resulting in a devastating shift within and between the two families. Relationships are fractured and pain becomes the ruling emotion. Black is also the color of mourning in many cultures, symbolizing the visible death of what had blossomed between Arnav and Khushi in the days leading up to this point.
Dressed in black and a shade of midnight blue that gives the illusion of an all black outfit, Arnav protects by using power and fear, which eventually leads to turmoil and suffering.
Quoted sentences and color meanings taken from the internet.
Tagging some of my fav accounts because I’m curious to hear your thoughts 🥹 @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @honeybellexox @chutkiandchotte @herelivesahobbit
