Antareeyam
"Antareeyam", in Sanskrit, means 'inner things', and more precisely 'inner garments' . Antareeyam are the intimate garments (undergarments) worn inside the outer ones ( Uthareeyam ). This blog is about "Antareeyam", with special focus on "inner garments of Kerala - both Traditional and Modern".
With its rich cultural heritage of our motherland Kerala, there's a wealth of knowledge and related practices, even regarding antareeyam (the inner garments). We'll deal on the traditions and traditional garments, without ignoring the modern trends. Therefore, we'll deal mostly with antareeyam, but without ignoring the uthareeyam.
Undergarments, for both males and females, is a very interesting subject and is an element of of our culture. In fact, as you may know, it's a very large industry. Before we proceed on the Antareeyams, let us see what Wikipedia tells about Undergarments.
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Undergarments or underwear are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by perspiration, urine, semen, feces, and other discharges; shape the body; and provide support for parts of it. In cold weather, long underwear sometimes is worn to provide additional warmth. Some undergarments are intended for erotic effect. Special types of undergarments have religioussignificance. Some items of clothing are designed as underwear, while others, such as T-shirts and certain types of shorts, are appropriate both as undergarments and as outer clothing. If made of suitable material, some undergarments can serve as nightwear or swimsuits.
Undergarments commonly worn by women today include brassieres and panties (also known as knickers), while men often wear briefs, boxer shorts, and boxer briefs. Items commonly worn by both sexes include T-shirts, sleeveless shirts (also called singlets), bikini underwear, thongs, and G-strings.
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As you may see, the description has a focus on the western culture, although many of them are relevant to all of us. Keralites - Malayaalees - are a well learned society in this matter, as we had a good traditional system in place. However, with the excessive influence of the west and the modern trends over the world, traditions have almost lost its values ( if not extinct ) of certain excellent traditional garments , and related practices.
This blog, Antareeyam, is an attempt to rediscover the styles and practices of our traditional undergarment systems, while not ignoring the modern elements. As you would appreciate, our Keralite traditional undergarments (which are almost at the verge of extinction) viz. Onnara, Thaar, Konakam, and such others are dealt here. The idea here is not to make 'sexy' posts or deal with 'sex' at all (as the terms underwear or lingerie names always attach sex to it). However, please note that, the subject being undergarments, the materials here may have a 'sexy' tone. However this is not intended to be any 'obscene" stuff. Moreover, by default, many of the elements in this subject may have an erotic tone.
Readers / Visitors are requested to post your comments. Please suggest changes and additions (of relevance) and warn me if I cross the limits at any time. I wish YOU be an auditor !
I shall try to keep the blog interesting and useful to all. I shall also make all efforts to improve this blog-site with good contents. Kindly track this blog, and leave your comments enroute.
Undergarments commonly worn by women today include brassieres and panties (also known as knickers), while men often wear briefs, boxer shorts, and boxer briefs. Items commonly worn by both sexes include T-shirts, sleeveless shirts (also called singlets), bikini underwear, thongs, and G-strings.
"
As you may see, the description has a focus on the western culture, although many of them are relevant to all of us. Keralites - Malayaalees - are a well learned society in this matter, as we had a good traditional system in place. However, with the excessive influence of the west and the modern trends over the world, traditions have almost lost its values ( if not extinct ) of certain excellent traditional garments , and related practices.
This blog, Antareeyam, is an attempt to rediscover the styles and practices of our traditional undergarment systems, while not ignoring the modern elements. As you would appreciate, our Keralite traditional undergarments (which are almost at the verge of extinction) viz. Onnara, Thaar, Konakam, and such others are dealt here. The idea here is not to make 'sexy' posts or deal with 'sex' at all (as the terms underwear or lingerie names always attach sex to it). However, please note that, the subject being undergarments, the materials here may have a 'sexy' tone. However this is not intended to be any 'obscene" stuff. Moreover, by default, many of the elements in this subject may have an erotic tone.
Readers / Visitors are requested to post your comments. Please suggest changes and additions (of relevance) and warn me if I cross the limits at any time. I wish YOU be an auditor !
I shall try to keep the blog interesting and useful to all. I shall also make all efforts to improve this blog-site with good contents. Kindly track this blog, and leave your comments enroute.
Please keep coming ! Thank you all !
