dhoti

The dhoti is a traditional male garment worn across the Indian subcontinent. It is a long rectangular piece of cloth, typically several meters in length, that is wrapped around the waist and legs and secured by tucking and pleating. The wrap creates a draped, trouser-like silhouette, with the fabric often forming pleats at the front and a portion tucked at the back.

Regional varieties and styling exist. In Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka it is known as veshti or thundu, usually worn with a shirt or angavastram and often featuring a decorative border. In Kerala a closely related garment is called mundu, which is worn with a shirt or kurta and a pleated front section. In Bengal and parts of the northeast, versions referred to as dhuti are commonly white or off-white with subtle borders and are paired with kurta or other upper garments.

Fabrics range from cotton for everyday wear to silk for formal occasions and weddings. Colors are traditionally white or cream, especially in ceremonial contexts, with borders or motifs in contrasting colors adding ornamentation. The dhoti is typically worn with an upper garment such as a kurta, shirt, or sherwani, and may be accompanied by an angavastram or stole.

In modern contexts, the dhoti remains an important cultural garment in many communities and is seen at religious events, weddings, and folk performances, though its everyday use varies by region, urbanization, and personal preference.