Traditional Dress of Tamil Nadu

Traditional Dress of Tamil Nadu

The basic and the most traditional women dress of Tamil nadu is the 'Pavada Davani' famous by the name of half saree. It is a three piece clothing which includes a long lower garment resembling a petticoat or a long skirt; a choli blouse; and a long 'dupatta' like strip of cloth which is about as long as a half saree. It is usually worn by the village girls in Tamil Nadu. However, the Kanchipuram or the Kanjivaram sarees are the most famous traditional costume of Tamil Nadu. The designs on the body of the sari are woven with gold thread and the saree have varied motifs on it, ranging from figures to temples, along the border. The rich silk fabric, elaborate weaving designs and contrasting borders have made kanjivaram sarees popular not only in Tamil Nadu and India but all over the world.

Many traditional Indian sarees of Tamil Nadu, apart from the famous kanjivaram sarees, constitute the traditional costume of Tamil Nadu. The Kodalikareppur or Karpur saris made in the village of Kolli Karpur is a mixture of hand painting, block printing and brocade weaving. The Kora cotton saris, woven widely in Coimbatore district, have a self-designed jacquard pattern all over. Kurainadu and Kodambakkam saris are made by blending cotton and silk with beautiful geometric and floral designs. The Poornakumbham cotton saris are the fine cotton textured saris woven with rudraksha motifs and highlighted with pearls and cross lines. The Chungadi sarees of Madurai are basically made with the technique of tie and dye. Bright colors like red, purple, blue and black are used in these srees which have unique kolam (geometric) or rangoli patterns with borders in contrast colors. The Tribhuvanam silk saris are made by highly skilled weavers and have floral and animal designs on them.