Mallumundu Thorthu, and Pantaar

Uma, is yet to return to her chat mode with me. But she promised me that she'll mange to come back to the track (with me). She must be in the hangover of her marital experiences ! that too everyday !! That's why she hasn't called

me since our last chat a week ago. OK...OK... I"ll wait ... Patience pays !!

In the mean time,  I am supposed to answer to two queries from my readers.

First one is, about the use of 'mallumundu' for thaar, in central Kerala.  Yes, I am aware of that. However, I don't suggest mallumundu sice it has some sort of fineness (or polished texture) which would not satisfy the "endurance requirements" of thaar. (That is, once worn, it should keep tight for long, until next removal ). Moreover, mallu cloth is not as absorbent as the thorthu or onnaramundu. The best would be to use thaar thorthu (of the type I've shown earlier). That's fairly soft, absorbant, and retains the tightness.

Next point is regarding use of thorthu for thaar, and the need to keep it as short as a panty !.  I think the lady asking me about this refers to the thaar thorthu I have mentioned above (and not the thorthu for bathing type ). But her problem is wearing it 'short' (as a panty). The regular sized one would have its tip down below the knees (for normal body size). If your requirement is to keep it short above the knee level, there are atleast two solutions.

One is to make some 'churukku' (ചുരുക്കു)  at waist, and then do the thaar, so that the conical tip doesn't extend beyond the knee.  But the waist band area would look thick.

The other option is to get a smaller sized thorthu. But this may not be lengthy enough to do the thaar. ( the width of the thorthu is critical for wearing the thaar).

In the absence of exact solutions, I think I must consult Uma, for a better solution. I'll be back on this issue, once Uma rebulds the chat track.

But this makes me innovate ...!  Why not I design a "new thaar" ... with the characteristics of the classical thaar but the size of a panty ! Yeah... that would be a wonderful  garment. Let's call it "pantaar" ! Or you may suggest one !

{ mallumundu is not mallu's mundu ! }