Ah, Kerala, the land of meeshas (moustaches) and mundus (sarong type cloth wrapped around the waist and worn like a skirt, similar to a dhoti).
The men of Kerala are constantly readjusting their mundus — folding them, draping them, and refolding them.
The mundu is particularly practical when walking through water during the monsoon season. No need to worry about getting the bottoms of your pants wet, just do a quick fold-up of the mundu, and you’re good to go!
However, in hot weather, the length of the mundu often becomes quite short, as the men folk aim to get some air flow to their nether regions.
While I was down Kerala way recently, I heard a joke. How do you know when the temperature is going to be extremely hot in Kerala? When the government issues a ban on the wearing of mundus. Hardy har har.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Two Kannada words for you
“mundu” == “pun-chay”
“meesha” == “mee-say”
The mundu should become the officla work wear for India. Its a pain having to wear trousers and full sleeved shirts to work! When i see a poor soul wearing a suit to work, I always murmur a prayer for his armpits.
If you want to experience the real hot weather of india…go to Delhi, UP, Bihar in may….it’s scorching….or in Andhra…
in kerala…i suppose it’s more humid ( being close to sea you can always go to the beach in the evenings )…even in Kolkata, it’s quite humid.. where you have lived…..
….you’ve lived in kerala before….have you gone to allepy ( the venice of india )….?
I’d rather not experience any hot weather in India — but dry heat is more bearable than humidity. I’ve been in 40+ temperatures in Rajasthan before. It was VERY tiring.
I have been to Alleppey… I went on a houseboat from there (like most people I guess!).
Thanks PGB — I’m interested in learning how to say moustache in as many Indian languages as possible!
Hahaha! Please no mini mundus! Well, have you seen a fisherman in a village in Maharashtra? We got stuck in traffic just behind one of them once. It was not a good experience
I am not sure what he was wearing, but it was folded into… kind of a thong 
Oh my! That does sound like a traumatic sight!
I always loved me a mundu wearing, dosa slinging, 45 idli eating, white pointy shoe wearing, dancing around a tree, high nasally voiced singing, pink makeuped Mallu hero type! Oh and he needs to have a thick luxuriant mustache. The kind that tickles me nose!
Almost as much fun as any tight speedo wearing european man … hehehehehe.
My eyes! My eyes!
I think Suits should be banned in India. Either that or all suits should be sold with a free supply of deoderant!
I need a Mundu for the NY summer sometimes. Oh no as a woman I cant quite keep readjusting it can i?
Kiran in fine funny form again!
How I hate to say it, but if I was given a choice of being stranded on a deserted island with a swashbuckling Mallu or a European man being strangled in his speedos, I’d pick the Mallu.
Of course if the European was hot looking, it’s a different story entirely!!
Kiran, I have a photo of the perfect modern Mallu man for you. I’ll post it tomorrow!
What do the Mallu women do clothing-wise to deal with the rising temps?
Can’t Beat Em — I think you know the answer to that question already.
Legs must remain covered at all times! As usual, the women just have to bear with it.
Actually I find the soft cotton saris that women wear very comfortable and cool. If I wore one more often I am sure I would be comfortable in it enough to appreciate that it allows for airconditioning under he roomy skirt. of the sari.
The half sari that some women wear in kerela is even cooler.
When it was hot in India, I found saris to be extremely uncomfortable. First, the bra, the then the blouse, then the sari pallu that goes over the blouse – thats 3 layers right there. Then from waist down you got the petticoat and the sari layer, then the pleats. Cotton or not, I would’ve been a hundred times “cooler” in a tank and shorts.
And when its cold – saris are too light. The only seasons for saris in India are early spring and mid fall. Don’t even get me started on Salwar Kameez.
I thought those were lungi’s??? That is what my husband calls them and he is from Kerela. I have horrible images of my FIL walking around in just that (yikes).
Kerela is too hot for me….it was even too hot for my husband when we were there in November. I much prefer the heat of the North!
BTW my husband has no mustache and is balding–and all the Mallu’s feel bad for him! LOL
Sharell, speaking of Indian languages ….. how much of Oriya has your husband taught you…. Do you know the alphabets?? The only Oriya guy I have ever met in my life was during my internship in US
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PGB – My husband was born in Bombay and can’t even read Oriya, so he’s taught me very little! He can speak it okay though. All I know how to say in Oriya is “how are you” and “I’m fine”. Some day I do want to learn the Oriya alphabet but I want to get Hindi under control first!
Sarah – They can be called lungis too, but their traditional Malayalam name seems to be mundu. Lungis, dhotis, mundus they’re all the same thing as far as I’m concerned! That’s so funny about your husband (and FIL).
Can’t Beat Em – I would much rather wear a sari than a salwaar kameez. The dupatta constantly gets in the way and is quite irritating!
To add to your mundu.meesha lexicon
In marathi:
Mundu: Dhotar (comes from dhoti)
Meesha: Mishi
Hi Sharrell,
As it happens, I can clarify.
Mundu: White/ offwhite cotton sarong wrap around. Usually starched. Good to wear on any occasion wedding, funeral, formal visit, college, office etc so long as you are in Kerala or Tamil Nadu. Known as veshti in Tamil. (the photograph you have up here is correct)
Lungi: Multi coloured cotton sarong sometimes hemmed together at the ends to form a loop, strictly informal wear at home or at bedtime but often worn outside. Definitely a no no for above mentioned occasions.
Dhothi: Traditional bottom wear for men in North India. There are several styles of tying dhothis. In Rajasthan the style popularly used is called ‘teen laang’ dhothi. Priests usually tie the ‘single laang’ dhoti. This is a classic ek laang dhothi shown in this link.
http://shopping.zeenews.com/v1/product_images/4381_large.jpg
These Rajasthani gentlemen are shown wearing teen laang dhothis.
http://www.traveladvisorindia.com/culture-n-heritage/photo/dress.jpg
hope you understand
Arjun
Now this is really interesting!! I’ve always wanted to know the difference. You’re a wealth of information Arjun!