Kilts in India

[MacMullen]

I just returned from a month in southern India (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) and found a couple of things that might interest some of you.

First off, as a lot of you probably know, quite a few of the men there wear the lungi, which is basically a piece of cotton fabric that wraps around the waist and can be worn down to the ankles or can be folded up on itself, knee length, which sort of looks like a kilt. Interestingly, most of the lungis that we saw were tartan. Although, while we were there, I received a black one as a going away gift from some friends.





The second thing that is of interest was the tour of Fort St. George, a former British military post in Chennai that dates back to the 1700's. In one of the museum galleries, I came across two kilts that were worn by military units that were stationed there.

The card next to it reads, "Kilt - Pipe Major and Pipers, Highlanders"


The card reads, "Kilt - Drummers Rank and File, Cameroon Highlanders"

[cessna152towser]

Thanks for posting; the first two pics. serve to confirm that in many cultures men's traditional garments are unbifurcated and the bottom two that Scottish kilts are known and understood worldwide. In my view though the knee length tartan in the second picture would look better with a belt.

[MacMullen]

I agree on the belt, both for aesthetics and practicality. My friend showed me how to wear a lungi, but when I've worn it, I haven't felt very secure in it, basically because it's fastened as you would a towel. The alternate method is to grab the fabric on either side of the hip, pull the two pieces together, and then tie them.

I think the Highlanders would have had the most comfortable uniform in India. A lot of the other British uniforms they had on display were wool pants and wool jackets. Southern India in the summer is very hot, and even during the rainy season, it gets pretty warm, plus, it's very humid. One wool uniform was topped with a pith helmet, which I'm sure made it easier to wear the hot, woolen uniform.

[Rex_Tremende]

I bet no one asks them, "Do you wear your lungi like a true Scotsman?"

:rolleyes:

[Tattoo Bradley]

I bet no one asks them, "Do you wear your lungi like a true Scotsman?"

:rolleyes:

Or rather "Do you wear your lungi like a true Indian "

[herminator]

On of the influences that led me to kilting was living in Burma for three years and wearing longyis at home for years before I made my first kilt!

[sav]

Thanks for posting this!! My family originates from a village not but 25 miles away from Chennai...Those members who have known me for a while know that I have connections to the Highland Regiments that were stationed in the area, as well...Thanks again! Also, if anyone wants any more info re: lungis or the highlanders stationed in South India, let me know...

[MacMullen]

Looking through my pics I found another lungi picture:



As far as wearing it like a true Indian, I don't know how that would be. The men are very free with their lungi, opening it up and adjusting it as they walk down the street. Those guys that I saw doing that were wearing boxers.

Out in the tribal areas, it's very common to see people taking a squat on the side of the highway and taking care of business, and from what I could tell without staring, it looked like they were going regimental.

Sav, I have larger versions of the kilt pics, if you're interested. Were the Highlanders British soldiers, or were they from one of the colonies? There wasn't much info at the museum as to which army units were there. Since I've been home, the only reference I can find to the Cameroon Highlanders was to the Canadian Cameroon Highlanders. Is that the same unit?

We spent a lot of time in the villages around Guntur, Kadapa, and Renigunta. Wonderful people, very friendly. I loved my time there and can't wait to go back.

[gilmore]

I agree on the belt, both for aesthetics and practicality. My friend showed me how to wear a lungi, but when I've worn it, I haven't felt very secure in it, basically because it's fastened as you would a towel. The alternate method is to grab the fabric on either side of the hip, pull the two pieces together, and then tie them.

The way I learned to tie a lungi was quite secure. You wrap it around you as tight as you want, right under left. You pull out a portion of the top hem that is at your right side with your left hand through your right fist (like a magician doing the pulling scarves out of his hand trick), get enough to tie into a knot, then tie it to the loose left end of the cloth, tight against your body. You then roll the top of the cloth down with the knot inside next to you body. Maybe they do things differently in northern India.

[MacMullen]

I'm sure you're right. I'm no expert on wearing a lungi. I'll have to try that method. Thanks!