Shiny Kerala Kasuvu saree online

Kerala regionally referred to as Keralam is a state in the south-west region of India or Malabar coast. It was formed on November 1 1956 as per the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam-speaking regions. The region was a prominent spice exporter from 3000 BCE to 3rd century. The Chera Dynasty was the first powerful kingdom based in Kerala, though it frequently struggled against attacks from the neighbouring Cholas and Pandyas. Kerala is the state with the lowest positive population growth rate in India (3.44%) and has a density of 819 people per km. the state has the highest Human Development Index (HDI) (0.790) in the country according to the Human Development Report 2011.

Mumdum neriyathum (set mundu or mundu-set) is the traditional clothing of women in Kerala, South India. It is the oldest remnant of the ancient form of the saree which covered only the lower garment which is the ancient form of saree denoted in Malayalam as Thuni (meaning cloth), while the neriyathu forms the upper garment the mundu. The mundum Neryathum consists of two pieces of cloth and could be worn in either the traditional style with the neriyathu tucked inside the blouse or in the modern style with the neriyathu worn over the left shoulder.

The mundum-neryathum is the extant form of the ancient saree reffered to as Sattika in Buddhist and jain literature. The mundu is the surviving form of lower garment of the ancient clothing referred to as antariya worn in a special way (lower garment). The neriyath is the modern adaption of a thin scarf worn from the right shoulder to the left shoulder referred to in ancient Buddhist-jain texts as the uttariya. It is one of the remains of the pre-Hindu Buddhist-jain culture that once flourished in Kerala and other parts of South India.

The mudum Neryathum is traditionally white or cream in colour of two pieces of cloth, which have a coloured strip at the border known askara. The piece of cloth that drapes the lower garment is called the mundu. It is worn below the navel and around the hips, similar to the mundu worn by men in Kerala. The piece of cloth that is worn as the upper garment is called the neriyathu.

One end of the neriyathu is tucked inside the pavadai or petticoat and the remaining long end is worn across the front torso. The neriyathu is worn over a blouse that reaches quite above the breast bone. It is worn diagonally from along the right hips to the left shoulder and across the midriff, partly baring it. The remaining loose end of the neriyathu is left hanging from the left shoulder, resembling the nivi saree. Today the nivi drape is the most common form of the saree.

Most of the Indian women preferable and comfortable attire of summer is cotton saree. Kerala is famous for its unique handloom weaving patterns, known as onam saris and Kasavu sarees woven with pure cotton and golden zari. Kerala cotton sarees are woven from unbleached cotton known as kora cloth and fine zari. Motifs of animals, peacock, flowers, fruits, leaves and brids are common on Kerala weaves. Checks and stripes patterns bring stylish look on this south cotton saree.