Veshtis:

The draping of the veshti is very simple and virtually universal. Most people all over the world use this drape to wrap a bath towel around themselves.

Various forms of veshtis were worn in India, and are represented on many sculptures and paintings from numerous places, as early as the second century B.C.

Veshtis are commonly worn by men in the two southernmost States of India, and also by women in Kerala. Some styles are still worn by old women in parts of Tamil Nadu. Veshtis are also worn by a few women of low castes in many parts of India. It is a common drape in many countries of South-East Asia (the sarong).

The most common form of veshti worn by women is with the upper corner of mundi (the inner end of the sari) tucked outside, its small pleats appearing on the right hip if the sari is draped towards the left. (See the Keralese veshti, right.)

Left, a woman from Salem, Tamil Nadu, with a large shawl (mundanai) wrapped around the upper part of her body.

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