tilamoodi
Tilamoodi is a term attested in multiple regional glossaries and ethnographic sources across parts of South Asia, though it lacks a single universally accepted definition. In practice, tilamoodi functions as a polyvalent term whose meaning shifts with language, locale, and era. The ambiguity of the term reflects its use in everyday speech, ceremonial language, and literary expression.
Etymology of tilamoodi is not firmly established. The form is often described as a regional compound with
Usage of tilamoodi varies by context. In some communities, it refers to a distinctive headwear or the
Scholarly treatment of tilamoodi is limited. It appears infrequently in mainstream linguistic or ethnographic works, with
See also: Cultural terms, Ethnography, Linguistics, Identity and disguise, Regional dress.