Based on a query from a reader, this is about the mundu-thorthu distinction. The problem is not really the distinction, its about the coloquial terminology. However, I thought I must make an attempt to clarify, the way I understand. So ......
"Thaar mundu" is a full sized, single ply mundu. It may be 'mulmul' type or handwoven (handloom). Mulmul cloth is not preferred, as it is slightly polished, and does not stay tight. It gets loose quickly, on its glazed finish. The absorption properties are poor (as compared to the handloom). However, ladies in central Travancore use it, even now. { This will necessitate the lady to tighten up her thaar frequently}.
Handloom mundu is preferred, as it has the grip (non-glazed) and so retains the tightness. The absorption properties are very good. It is softer and thinner too.
Thaar mundu is full sized. The width extends from waist level to the feet. Therefore, to wear the thaar, the mundu is worn with 'njori' at the waist level (which would extend now upto the ankle, below the knee level) while waist is tucked in. This , however, makes the thaar comfortable at waist level ( with wider band like fit at waist). Rest of the wearing is common. When worn, the triangular tips of the thaar will extend almost down to the ankles. For some, the tips are visible when she walks.
"Thaar thorthu" is a shorter version of the mundu. It's full long, but less wide. It's only of handloom (though some ladies make a low width thorthu of mulmul). When worn, it extends from waist down to the knee level. The cloth being thinner (than the mulmul), it's more comfortable. The greatest advantage is that the thaar, when worn, won't be visible below the knees. However, it's too tight at waist level, as much 'njori' won't be there.
This is the most common among ladies who go out. {At home, it doesn't matter, the tips being seen ! }.
I invite all my readers interested in this to look at my earlier posts, with pictures of the thaar thorthu.
And regarding 'Onnara mundu'. It's the same as thaar mundu {as far as the Travancore style is concerned}.
6 comments:
Sir,The idea is almost clear;but I have a different note on mallumundu-in middle Kerala,very soft and absorbing type mallu of shorter width is in use as tharmundu-mostly worn by working class women;some middle aged school teachers also use the same type tightly around the waist.
Madam, now a days most of the girls using thar while entering on temples only, es=pecially in Guruvayur. In my knowledge most of them about 95% are using chutti thorth mundu as tharmundu. It seems to be very absorbant, short in width and even can easily wear under churidars. After use as thar it can be put outside for drying as bath towel.
Madam, it is not at all possible to use thorthmundu as tharmundu because of its short length. We normally girls are using mallu-mundu with shorter in width, are using while entering in temple. From this column only I knew that thorthmundu is being used as Thar. Please give more details about chutti thorthmundu.
Any cloth could be used as thar. only thing is it should have more length than an ordinary mundu. it is better to be smaller in width. Originally a mundu of 6 muzham long and two muzham width was used as thar, called onnara means one and a half mundu. Now very few are wearing it because its difficult to carry a heavy one. Girls are prefering thorthu under chooridhar and set mundu in temples to safe guard their private part. poking at pp is very much high and jamming from behind is also much. Just to avoid the diract contact girls prefer it as there is no other way
Chuttythorthu can be used as thar but the only problem with the big chutty thorth (eerezhayan thorth) is that it can be worn only if you wear loose fitting churidar or pavada. The thorth forms a thick, puffy layer under the saree which is very obvious when we wear kerala saree or tight fit churi bottom. We buy the thorth from handloom stores and it is very thick and fatty like the cotton bedsheet! In old days a thin form of chutty thorth was very common, but is no longer available.
I do not understand the concern of one of the bloggers. I am 47 and my wife is also 47. We have two children aged 17 and 14 (girl and boy respectively). My wife and I go to bed with my wife in a "onnaramundu and bodi (the traditional equivalent of bra) and myself in a normal mundu. We not only sleep that way but that is our normal evening dress when we sit with our children; either tutoring them or watching TV. Our children have no problem and not only that, my teenage daughter is now wearing Onnaramundu except when in School. Through the afternoon to late morning. I find it easy to be that way; because if one of the children knocks our bed room, it is a matter of 10 seconds for my wife and I to drape back and open the door and the children will see us in the same way we went to bed! No confusion, no doubt! My wife wears onnaramundu as regular lingerie; we even use it as our bed tissue more often than not; of course she buys an onnaramundu every week! What I do not understand is why people are so septic about this. In fact my wife insists that my daughter must wear the Onnaramundu when going to temple or performing a pooja. Actually, my wife used to wear panties before we discovered that she is getting into dermatological problems because of the use of panties and then we shifted to Onnaramundu (thanks to the Malayalee Gynecologist who advised us).
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