Man in mundu and thorthu

Mundu is one of the most popular dresses worn by men in Kerala. It is, moreover, the traditional wear of Keralite men, too. This long cotton cloth is normally doubled and wound around the waist.

There are many social rules regarding the wearing of the Mundu. In Kerala, men generally tuck up their mundus. The bottom of the garment is pulled up and wound back on to the waist. This would make the cloth only cover the body from the waist to the knees. The fold is let down while meeting socially superior people.

On informal occasions, the Mundu can be worn with a thorth (a medium sized cotton towel) worn over the shoulders. However, men don’t normally take part in social engagements in this dress.