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Tamil Nadu
An ancient land home to the tallest temples in the world and the richest silks, Tamil Nadu, deserves every bit of your attention and fascination. Tamil Nadu, occupying the southern part of India, is the tenth largest state in the country with a fascinating past. The history of this state can be traced back to the reigns of the Cholas and Pandyas, around the third century BCE. Eventually, after the fall of the Mysore Kingdom, Tamil Nadu became one of the first British colonisation in India. Formerly a part of the Madras Presidency, Tamil Nadu is a land of abundant history and culture that gave birth to the oldest classical language of India- Tamil. Home to world-renowned temples with staggering heights and inexplicable structures, this land is explored by many tourists yearly. The culture and traditions of this place are reflected in the art forms that originated here, the dance-form of “Bharat Natyam” being one, along with the Thanjavur paintings.
Traditional Clothing In Tamil Nadu
Women
Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India, shares its border with the neighboring state of Karnataka to the northwest. The fashion here is exquisitely original to its south-Indian culture, and the traditional attire of the women here is none other than the saree. This six-yard-long piece of fabric is draped around the body. The pride of Tamil Nadu is in the Kanchipuram saree, which is regarded as one of the finest and purest forms of silk. Evident from its name, this saree comes from the small city of Kanchipuram, a holy pilgrimage site. Such rich silk sarees have been a traditional dress of Tamilian women for centuries, worn during ritualistic practices and important events. In contrast, small girls are dressed in “pavadai”- a skirt and blouse set made of silk.
While silk is the most conventional fabric in this region, the Chettinad cotton sarees are no less of a wonder. Woven by the Devanga Chettiyars, these sarees are famous for their cooling superpowers that are much needed for the sweltering summers of South India.
Men
A milk-white outfit with just a hint of gold on the border perfectly defines the traditional attire of Tamilian men. White, a cool and calm colour, is a staple seen on a set of lungi and shirts. A lungi is a long, rectangular piece of cloth worn on the bottom half by wrapping it around the waist. It is paired with a short-length shirt. A customary addition to this ensemble is the “angavastram”, a stole or white cloth (conventionally cotton), tidily folded and worn on the shoulder. No traditional costume of Tamil Nadu is complete without the aangvastram.
Staple Jewellery & Accessories
As one of the richest regions of India, gold is massive in Tamil Nadu. Gold plays a vital role in Tamil Nadu culture dress. Since the Sangama dynasty, people of this region have been strict devotees of gold jewellery, giving birth to various forms of it. The deities have been worshipped and ornamented with gold. Gold holds symbolic significance and is a sacred element in the culture of south India.
A fascinating and intricate type of bijoux seemingly famous here is the “temple jewellery”. These pieces are characterised by designs inspired by monumental temples, deities and divine figures and both heavy as well as extraordinary in craftsmanship.
The most prominent piece is the “maangamalai “– a necklace with mango motifs all along the chain and a pendant hanging in the centre with a traditional peacock encrusted. Another signature piece belongs on the head; a “jadanagam” is a long trail like an ornament clipped to a neatly done braid. It is an integral accessory worn by dancers and brides. Similarly, several other pieces are true to this region’s originality and exhibit exquisite craftsmanship.
