Traditional Dress Of Kerala

By Author: KK Sharma
Total Articles: 47
Comment this article

The costumes of Kerala are associated with the simple way of life that people follow today. Both men and women in Kerala wear traditional clothes, ornaments, and hairstyles associated with their religion. Onam, for example, is a festival or function when these traditional costumes are worn. Weddings and festivals in Kerala are also celebrated with traditional clothing.

What is the Traditional Dress of Kerala?

Mundu is worn by men and women and is the traditional dress of Kerala.’ It covers the legs from waist to ankle and is a costume worn by both men and women. The costumes are usually worn together at weddings and at festivals. Dhotis or long skirts are similar to Mundus.

Different parts of the upper body of the people of Kerala are dressed according to their gender, age, and religion. Mundus was worn at the waist, tied with a knot, and reached the feet.

‘Mundu neriyathu’ is the term used for a blouse worn by Hindu women with a mundu.’ By contrast, Christian women wear a dress called a 'chatta' with ...
... a mundu. This mundu is folded differently so that it looks like a fan and is worn like that. In Kerala, Muslim women wear long purdahs or veils over their clothes. They are most commonly worn by Muslims in the north and central parts of the state.

How is a Mundu Worn?

This lesson offers an overview of the mundu or lungi, a traditional dress of Kerala for men.

During celebrations and ceremonies, men wear mundu, a traditional lower garment. A mundu consists of a white cotton cloth laced around the waist.
Typically, in Kerala, mundu and lungi have a small border called Kara, which is usually gold but can be any color.

Kara is the most common style for Mundus. When the kara is placed on a wearer's left or right side, it adds a sense of style to the draping. The kara can be embellished or decorated with various ornaments for special occasions. A wedding mundu's kara, which is typically made of silk, has different types of embroidery.

In addition to wearing the mundu as a full skirt, men sometimes wear it as a half skirt. Mundus is tucked into waistlines in this case. It is common for men to wear the mundu in this manner while doing physical activity.
Traditional dresses in Kerala are often quite simple. White is the color of choice for Keralites, who believe this color keeps them grounded in a simple lifestyle.