Tradition of South India: Dresses, Folk Dances, Festivals

South India is a land of culture, traditions, festivals, and folk dances. The tradition of South India Dresses, Folk Dances, and Festivals is an introduction to the magnificent culture of South India. Traditional dress of South India, South Indian folk dance, and South India festivals are full of festivities and colour.  Here we have attempted to showcase this South India to you.

Major Traditional Dress of South India

Saree

This dress rightly ranks on top of the Tradition of South India Dresses, Folk Dances, and Festivals. Cotton and silk fabrics are used to make saree. In South India, the saree is seen as a graceful dress with intricate designs and colours.  Women in South India wear sarees on various occasions like religious ceremonies, weddings, and festivals.

Mundu and Veshti

This is a South Indian traditional dress that is popular among men. They wear Mundu in the lower body and wrap it around the waist. The men wear Veshti like a dhoti wrapped around the waist. The makers use cotton to make Mundu and Veshti. Men in South India wear them during festivals, religious occasions, weddings, and sacred rituals.

Pancha and Shirt

In the Tradition of South India Dresses, Folk Dances, and Festivals, we have listed a dress known as Pancha. Men typically wear this Pancha. Men wear it around the waist and it covers both the lower body and legs. The makers of Pancha use cotton fabric to make Pancha. They use various designs and patterns in the design of the Pancha. Men in urban areas and cities wear Pancha and shirts.

Salwar Kameez

This dress known as Salwar Kameez is very popular among women in South India. It is the traditional dress of North India, but women in the states of South India also wear Salwar Kameez. Women wear a Salwar Kameez together. The kameez is a long tunic top and Salwar is a loose-fitting pant. Women wear Salwar Kameez at the time of religious ceremonies, festivals, parties, birthdays, and other casual occasions.

Half Saree

In the Tradition of South India Dresses, Folk Dances, and Festivals, the Half Saree also makes it to the top list of traditional dress of South India. Women wear a long skirt, blouse, and dupatta and this makes the dress called Half Saree. This comes in different colours, patterns, and designs. Manufacturers use natural organic fabrics like silk and cotton to make this. Women and girls wear half sarees during festivals, religious occasions, puja rituals, and other occasions.

Kasavu Saree

Women in South India wear the Kasavu Saree, which is a traditional dress of South India. Here, women wear a saree with a blouse. It is made of the same material as the saree. Manufacturers use cotton and silk to make Kasavu Saree. Women wear Kasavu Saree during ceremonies, festivals, festive occasions, and even casual wear.

Pattu Pavadai

Usually, girls wear Pattu Pavadai which is a long skirt and blouse. It is made of silk or cotton. Girls wear this during ceremonies, festivals, and religious occasions.

Dhoti

Men wear Dhoti as a traditional wear in South India. It is a rectangle in shape and is worn around the waist. It is made of cotton and worn during festive occasions and casual wear.

Mysore Silk Saree

Women in Karnataka wear this Mysore Silk Saree as festive wear and also on casual occasions and weddings. It has rich colours and silk fabric. 

Kanchipuram Saree

This traditional Kanchipuram Saree is famous in South India. Women in Tamil Nadu wear Kanchipuram Saree. This saree is durable and rich in its looks.

Must Read: Tradition of Sikkim: Dresses, Dance, Festival

Folk Dances and Musics of South India

Kummi

This is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. Here the dancers move about in circles and clap at rhythmic beats. The dancers do not use any musical instruments. 

Padayani

This type of dance is famous in Kerala. Performers in Kerala perform this in devotion to Goddess Bhadrakali. Dancers go through intense training for this dance and wear elaborate costumes. 

Kolannalu

Here dancers use two sticks and rhythmically beat them while dancing. They move in circles and strike the sticks while dancing to rhythmic steps.

Mayilattam

The literal translation of this dance form is known as peacock dance. Performers perform this dance as a tribute to Lord Murugan. They wear costumes that are like the feathers of a peacock. They dance with rhythmic steps and imitate the movements of the peacock bird.

Veerageese

Monks who worship Shiva perform this dance. They show stories from the Shiva Purana. A dancer wears the costume of Shiva, which includes a red dress, white headgear, rudraksha beads, a neck ornament that is shaped like a serpent, and anklets. 

Theyyam

Another folk dance that performers do in South India is Theyyam. Here, dancers perform their dance to pay tribute to the gods for a good harvest. Theyyam is performed using various styles and music. There are over 400 sets of dances that dancers perform during Theyyam.

Garadi

This is an acrobatic dance which is performed by dancers in Puducherry. Here the dancers wear costumes like that of a monkey and imitate the movements of monkeys. They wear ten iron rings on each leg and dance to the beat of drums. This dance form has its origins in the Ramayana.

Fairs and Festivals in South India

Thrissur Pooram

This festival of Thrissur Pooram is famous in Kerala. The temple priests of Vadakkunnathan Temple organize this festival at the time of the Full Moon (Poonam). They decorate the elephants and walk in a procession carrying huge lamps. Fireworks take place and there are musical performances. 

Pongal

The people of Tamil Nadu celebrate the festival of Pongal every year on January 14th January. This is a harvest festival and people celebrate it to show their happiness due to a good harvest season. People make sweets and offer them to the sun god. Other parts of India celebrate Makar Sankranti during this time.

Onam

People in Kerala celebrate Onam as a harvest festival. The people come together during Onam and gather in temples to pray to the gods. They celebrate Onam for 10 days wear traditional clothes and perform rituals.

Mysore Dasara

The festival known as Mysore Dasara is famous in the city of Mysore. People of Mysore celebrate Mysore Dasara during the Dussehra festival. They light up Mysore Palace with various lights and these lights can count up to 100,000 in numbers. People take part in processions and Goddess Chamundeshwari is decorated with ornaments. 

Ugadi

People of Andhra Pradesh celebrate Ugadi as a symbol of a new age. It is the start of the Hindu New Year for them. People make Ugadi Pachadi, which is a type of chutney and other tasty food during Ugadi.

Conclusion

The tradition of South India Dresses, Folk Dances, and Festivals can be seen in South Indian festivals, traditional dress of South India, and South Indian folk dance. You must visit the various states in South India during these times and experience the culture of South India. 

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