1834.] Memoir of the Survey of Travancore» 68 



reaching to the knees (amongst the more wealthy classes, it extends 

 to the ancles) forms a short petticoat or kilt, a handkerchief throv/n 

 loosely over the head and covering the shoulders form a sort of 

 cowl, this is substituted for a turband, it is occasionally tied though 

 commonly left flowing, but in either case affords no protection 

 against the sun, their chuttrics (and they consider them an indis- 

 pensable part of their equipment) are supposed sufficiently to an- 

 swer this purpose, indeed some of their ordinances direct that the 

 head and feet shall always remain uncovered, a precept very generally 

 observed ; in the latter instance, the colour of the cloth worn is 

 slightly tinged, with indigo, its texture rather than quantity differs 

 with the ability of the weaver : it is often or generally so transparent 

 as-to shade rather than conceal the outline. The female costume 

 is somewhat similar, but (inverting the usual order of things) has a 

 more masculine appearance, a portion of the cloth, forming the 

 short petticoat being passed between the legs and fixed in the girdle 

 behind ; this scanty vesture reaching only to the knees, the upper 

 part of the person is permitted to remain uncovered, as a handker- 

 chief thrown carelessly over the head and bosom is worn with no 

 view to concealment, indeed on ordinary occasions entirely dispens- 

 ed with, the eye is at first startled with so much nudity, perhaps 

 arrested by its novelty, to which however it becomes readily recon» 

 oiled, but it is impossible not to admire the unsuspecting simplicity, 

 that endures the gaze of surprize insensible of being its object. Their 

 costume it must be confessed leaves more to engage the attention, 

 than pique the curiosity, but the display is as often productive of 

 disgust as admiration, a greater fastidiousness might perhaps desire 

 that it allowed less scope for either ; their drapery however scanty is 

 sometimes arran ged with si ngular grace , if we could desire its fold s some- 

 what ampler, a wish for their superior comfort must have a large 

 share in exciting the sentiments. The children go naked till the 

 fifth or sixth year, and most of the lower classes it may be said are 

 almost always so, as the little rag that decency requires can scarce- 

 ly be called cloathing ; amongst half the population the wardrobe 

 of an individual will not exceed the value, if it reaches it, of two 

 Rupees, and thrice that amount would purchase a handsome suit ; 

 the comparative wealth or poverty of the different classes is not 

 easily distinguishable* in their dress, nor do they display much 

 taste for splendour, in their ornaments, which are rarely increased in 



* A few marks carelessly arranged and made with the powders of sandal 

 substitutes the intncat€ bieroglyphics^ tbat ©n the other coast seem to de^ 

 note cast. 



