Mundu

The mundu is a garment worn around the waist in Kerala related to the lungi. It is normally woven in cotton and coloured white or cream. The colour is dependent on whether the cotton is bleached. When unbleached the mundu is called a neriyathu. In modern times, two types of mundu are prevelant - the single and the double. A single mundu is draped once around the waist, while the double is folded in half before draping. A mundu is usually starched before use.

A mundu usually has a line of comparatively thicker cloth woven into it near the border called the kara. The kara is can be coloured and comes in various sizes. There are also double coloured and ornamental kara (a strip of colour at the end of the Mundu). For more ceremonial occasions (like weddings), a mundu has a golden embroidery known as kasavu. The wearer generally takes care to highlight the kara, by carefully folding the end of the mundu. The kara generally appears on the right hand side of the person, though styles with the kara on the left side are prevalent.

Unspoken rules of etiquette govern the way the dhoti/mundu is worn. Men will often fold the garment in half to resemble a short skirt when working, cycling, etc., but it is considered disrespectful to speak to women or one's social superiors with the dhoti folded up this way, revealing the legs from the knee down. When faced with such a social situation, the fold of the dhoti is loosened with an imperceptible flick and it flutters down to cover the legs completely.

File:Set-mundu.jpgA variant called a mundum-neriyathum is used more often by women. The mundum-neriyathum is a set of two mundus, both having matching kara. The set contains a lower garment similar to the those worn by men. The upper mundu worn with a blouse, is wrapped once around the waist and upper body and left hanging from the left shoulder, resembling a saree.

In Kerala a veshti is a small piece of cloth (generally put on the shoulders) along with a mundu, for formal occasions.