Costumes of Tamil

Costumes of Tamil Nadu for the most part comprise the traditional wears. Indian costumes have earned global admiration for their beauty and grace. Especially the costumes of Tamil Nadu have been much acclaimed for following the Indian tradition. Poetic references indicate that during the Sangam period in ancient Tamil Nadu, a single piece of clothing served as both lower garment and head covering, leaving the bosom and midriff completely uncovered

The women of this state are decked with these traditional sarees that mark them from rest of the communities. Ancient Tamil poetry, Silappadhikaram describes women in sarees. The ageless charm of these sarees is the identity of the people of Tamil Nadu. Being the abode of South Indian silk sarees with rich zari work, the costumes reflect the traditions of India and Tamil Nadu itself. India has always been looked at as a land of enigmatic resources and many have staked their lives just to acquire it and call those their own. The distinctness amongst the four corners within the country makes this very factor even more interesting when admired. The South Indian costumes possess a certain aura within their dress materials, with zari work predominating amongst women and white dhoti amongst men. Costumes of Tamil Nadu absolutely falls within this genre, with women dressing up intricately for any festive occasion and men also are looking towards the similar direction.

Costumes of Tamil Nadu dominate with traditionalism speaking out every time for both the sexes. In Tamil Nadu women don the ubiquitous Indian saree and blouse, whereas, men wear `lungi` together with a shirt and `Angavastra.` Saree, the sheer six yards of pure excellence is one such costume that ladies of all ages prefer to don for each special festivity. The traditional Tamil woman chooses to drape her heavy Kanchipuram saree around herself, the lower part of the calf exposed, the extra piece of pallu established thereby wrapped around her waist. What is remarkable about this draping fashion is that a woman wears the most dazzling of Kanchipuram saree in the most informal manner.

Sarees have a special place in the costumes of Tamil Nadu, and are an indispensable part of the state`s heritage. Saree is the traditional dress of Indian women and Tamil Nadu women as well. In Tamil Nadu, sarees are available in a variety of materials like cotton, chiffon, crepe silk, organza, silk, georgette, Pattola silk, micro silk, etc. Till a few years ago, the half-saree or Pavada besides serving as the traditional dress was also the most admired costume of young girls in Tamil Nadu. Full-length skirt, short blouses and a davani (shawl) successfully completed this dressing style. This traditional pleated dress however has been replaced by salwar kurtas, jeans and trousers. The style, colour and texture of a saree cloth vary and it might be manufactured from cotton, silk or one of the various man-made materials. A Saree from Tamil Nadu possesses an everlasting charm due to it not being cut or tailored for a particular size. Sarees are available in the state in a wide variety of fabrics, ranging from silks, cottons, chiffons to georgettes and crepes.

Costumes of Tamil Nadu are although not just restricted to the fairer sex only; men also occupy a considerable position. Men are generally encountered dressed in lungi, together with a shirt and Angavastra. The traditional and tremendously popular lungi originated in the South and it is purely a short length of material worn around the thighs, resembling a sarong. A dhoti is a rather longer lungi, but with an additional length of material hauled up within the legs. The lungi is a rectangular cloth, normally manufactured from cotton, draped around the waist and pleated in front at the groin. The Angavastra is an elongated piece of cloth wrapped around the shoulders. In earlier times it was donned instead of an upper garment, but nowadays men wear an Angavastra over a shirt.

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Handicrafts of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a rich heritage in handicrafts, which has evolved over centuries. They have been exuding grace and beauty since ages, and decorating millions of homes across the globe. Tanjore paintings, the craft of making musical instruments, metal ware, pottery, woodcraft and stone carving are some of the exquisite handicrafts of Tamil Nadu.
The most important of the handicrafts of Tamil Nadu is the very famous Tanjore paintings. This form of art flourished in Thanjavur, which is the new name of Tanjore, and thus it got its name. They creation of this art requires dedication, patience and hours of meticulous details. These paintings are done on wood, glass, mica, ivory and even on the walls, and are made more elegant by using thin sheets of gold, along with the primary colours. The modeling effect is made stylized by shading the inside, along the outline of the painting.
Jewels, drapery, and elements of architecture like pillars, rich canopies, chandeliers are being raised as a result of using of a special plaster. This plaster is covered with pure gold leaf and semi-precious stones of different colours are embedded in it.
Tamil Nadu is also famous for its musical instruments. Yaazh is an ancient instrument famous in ancient Tamil Nadu, which resembles a harp. This instrument has been replaced by veena, which is made of jackwood. In Thanjavur, there are families that are into this craft for generations. Other musical instruments made here are thambura, flute or vangiyam, which is made of bamboo, sandalwood, bronze and sengaali and karungaali woods. It is a wonderful specimen of the handicrafts of Tamil Nadu.
Jewelery making is also another important handicraft here. Stone jewelery are most popular and the ornaments such as oddiyanam, vanki and jimiki are very famous and worn even now, despite their traditional appeal. They display great finish and dexterity. Metal wares have got its own importance in the handicrafts of Tamil Nadu. Brass and copper metal wares are used for many purposes. It is used mostly for making plates with carvings of god and goddess in it. Plates used for arathi, bells used while performing arathi, etc. are some of the examples of the state's creativity in the metal wares.
Pottery making is a well known art in Tamil Nadu. We can see even now famous 'Ayyanar horses' in rural Tamil Nadu, which are supposed to protect the villages from evil. Terracotta horses, made in Pudukottai and Salem are also very famous. Stone carving was very famous in Tamil Nadu in the ancient days, and it is still practiced in the twenty-first century. Stone carving is a wonderful craft. Those days stone carving was done in temples, for gods. One can find beautiful stone carvings in famous temples like Madurai Meenakshi temple, thousand pillared mandapas, Ekambareshwarar temple in Kanchipuram, etc.
 Different types of stones are used for carving like marble stones, sandstones, soap stones, etc. Granite carving is very famous in Chingleput and Mamallapuram. Now stones are also used for making pen stands, paper weights, granite tiles for houses, etc.

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