SOUTH INDIAN TRADITIONAL 

In Southern region of South India consists of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Pondicherry. South India established early trade contacts with the outside world. It was renowned for its fine cotton production centres and intricate patterns dyed in madder and indigo, which were in great demand in Saudi Arabia, SouEastAsia, the Far East, Java, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.The artisanal skills of this region were highly appreciated – colourful printed cottons, Zari and silk – woven saris, and silk dyed, ikat – woven fabric.

From 14th century onwards, same traders with trade links with Southern India developed their colonies at Calicut, Pondicherry and Madras.The Southern India people had close interaction with the foreign traders and produced work according to the demands of the market. But personally preferred their own traditional garments, mainly unstitched drape. Loose drape customer were more appropriate for the people of this region climatically as well. Therefore, the textiles and customer of this region were not too influenced by the outside world. Traditionally the dhoti, Kurta, Shirt, angavastram and turban form the ordinary dress for men in southern India.

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The ghagra, choli, blouse and odhani comprise the traditional dress for women. Women of this region prefer the sari, so there exist a rich tradition of cotton, silks and Zari – Woven saris. There are various tribal people also, who wear bright and more colourful costumer.The Sangam literature and the epics of south india, silappadikaram and manimekalai (1st century BC – 3rd century AD), inform that cotton – and silk weaving traditions existed during this period.

Sari: The term ‘Sari’ originates from the Sanskrit words shati and shatika, which appears for the first time in the panchatantra.

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Women in the Vedic period wore an antariya (lower garment), an uttariya (upper garment) and a kaya band (waistband). Gradually, from the Sunga and Kushan periods, we have descriptions of a garment that is like a Sari.
From early references, it appears that initially the sari was the only garment worn by woman of southern india. With time, however, a choli (upper garment) was added to this attire. A petticoat (long skirt) was further added to this ensemble, making it the three piece attire that it is in this modern days.

Dothi

The mundu is a garment worn around the waist in the Indian states of Kerala, the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, and the Indian Ocean island nation of Maldives. It is closely related to the dhoti, sarong, and lungi. In South Kanara, a district of Karnataka state, the Tulu speaking folk and Beary community also wear the mundu. It is normally woven in cotton and coloured white or cream. The colour is dependent on whether the cotton is bleached or unbleached. A khaddar mundu is made using handlooms. When unbleached, the mundu is called "neriyathu". In modern times, two types of mundu are prevalent—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 us

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salwar 

It comprises a pair of trousers known as the salwar and a tunic called the kameez. Traditionally, the salwar trousers are tailored to be long and loose-fitting with narrow hems above the ankles that are stitched to look like cuffs.

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