Veshti Culture

For those who don't know what veshti is, the picture above is a perfect example. Here in Malaysia, veshti among the non Hindu's is usually referred to as dhoti. Does that ring a bell?  Veshti, or dhoti, as the four-yard-long attire for men to cover their waist-below particularly in the south Indian states and here in Malaysia, it is usually wore to temples or when their is a function that requires traditional attire. It is an unstitched piece of cloth usually 5 yards long that is tied around the waist and legs. The knot is tied at the waist.

I would daringly say that Tamil culture is incomplete without veshti. When we think about traditional attire for woman, we think of saree and just like that for men it should be veshti.

As beautiful as simplicity is, it can become a tradition that stands in the way of exploration.

This is how I see veshti. The simplicity in it, is what makes it the best traditional attire that can be used for so many occasions. I believe in traditions; I believe in the idea of things being passed between generations and the slow transmission of cultural values through tradition. Many find it difficult to wear as they do not know the right technique. But once they have learnt how to tie and how good they look in veshti, I can assure you that, they would take up every chance they have into tie veshti...

Here are some pictures of me in veshti over the years in several different occasions.

Here, I am wearing Jippa and long pants instead of veshti. Jippa is also a traditional attire.

 Till the next post!