Rangaistavat

Rangaistavat is a term derived from the Sanskrit words "ranga" meaning "color" and "istavat" meaning "to wear." It refers to the practice of wearing colored clothes or ornaments as a form of punishment or social stigma in various cultures, particularly in South Asia. The practice is often associated with social taboos, such as the wearing of black clothes by widows in some Hindu communities, or the wearing of white clothes by lepers in certain Buddhist traditions. Rangaistavat serves as a visual marker of a person's social status, caste, or religious affiliation, and can be a form of social control and exclusion. The practice varies widely across different regions and communities, and its implications can range from simple social norms to deeply ingrained cultural and religious beliefs.