HISTORY OF DHOTI KURTA

ORIGIN OF DHOTI

Although the exact date of origin of Dhoti is not known but it can be traced back to 5th century BC.There are evidences that significantly show men of  the Indus valley civilization usually wore a Dhoti around their waist.

The garment that they used to cover the upper part of body was different in north and south Harappan civilization but dhoti was common in both the northern and southern part.

Cotton industry was well developed in ancient India . Needles made up of bones and wooden spindles were used to develop clothes from cotton that was spun,woven and dyed in India.

There are writings of ancient historians like Herodotus describing Indian cotton as a wool exceeding in beauty and goodness to that of sheep.

Why did Dhoti spread immediately throughout India?
Firstly Dhoti was very comfortable and easy to wear for daily usages.Secondly Indian dhoti made of cotton clothing was well adapted to the dry,hot summers of Indian subcontinent. It was also an integral part of the costumes of kings and rulers of ancient India. 

 The costume is found to be wrapped in the ancient architectures depicting  Ashoka (The Chakravartin King ) in Amravati , Andhra Pradesh.
Kings and poets used rich colors and elaborate gold-thread embroideries

How did Dhoti get its name?

Dhoti is described from the word Dhauta. This word is related to the Sanskrit word pancha and dhuvati which means "five". This may be a reference to the fact that a five yard-long strip of cloth is used, or may also be used to denote  the five knots used in an elaborate south Indian manner of draping the garment.

Different forms of wearing Dhoti

The garment is usually white or cream in color, although colorful hues are used for specific religious occasions or sometimes to create more vivid ensembles.

White dhoti is generally worn by the groom in Bengali weddings. 

White or turmeic-yellow is worn by men at their weddings and upanayanams. 

Red dhotis, called sowlay, are often used by priests at temples, especially in Maharashtra.

There are several different ways of draping the panchas. The two most popular ones in south India are the plain wrap and the Pancha katcham (pancha with five knots or five folds).

 The first style is mostly seen mainly in Tamil Nadu and Kerela southern parts of other two south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
.During work, it is usually folded in half to the knees. 

The second style consists of folding an eight yard-long garment around the waist, tying the top ends in front like a belt and then tucking in the loose left and right ends behind. This style is popular across south Indian men while working in the fields.
Dhoti is commonly worn in Tamil Nadu,Kerela, Andhra Pradesh,Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,Assam,West Bengal and Goa.