Nestled among hills and DA the famous scotch Tea gardens Coorg is more famously known as the ‘Scotland of India’. As famous for its green vegetation enhanced by hills and mountains and covered by mist most of the time, individuals who love nature will find the park interesting. It is also an important region in the production of coffee crops and some of the best quality of coffee is born in this area. Some of the major highlights of Coorg’s cultural dance forms, martial arts and traditional cuisines as well deserve special mention. The original inhabitants of Coorg known as Kodavas are warriors by tradition and are also fond of welcoming visitors. Regardless of whether your idea of the perfect holiday is filled with thrill and excitement or is more shot at relaxation and rejuvenation or cultural exploration, Coorg has it all!
Kodavas, the native inhabitants of Coorg and they have their own culture and they of of them can be identified by the kind of dress that they wear. Traditional Coorg dresses are full of history and culture, give very interesting ideas of how their culture used to be.
Traditional Attire for Men
Traditional Coorg dress for men of Coorg is the Kupya. This is a long black garment that has no buttons, short sleeves with V-neck lined down to below the knee. This is normally worn with the Chele, a splendid and gorgeously fringed silken garment passed over the shoulders and worn round the waist. A dagger, also called Peechekathi, is worn on the right side of the sash. This dress, which was earlier used as the identity of warrior Kodavas, is still used in special occasions.
The other part of the male dressing code is the Mande Tuni, a traditional headgear also called the cascading cap. It is a plain piece of white garment and the headgear; it’s normally comes with gold applications.
Traditional Attire for Women
What I found most endearing about Coorg women is how they wear their sarees. Although many a saree is styled like Indian sarees, these pleats are provided at the back of the saree. The pallu does not fall on the shoulder but is brought round the back and fastened with a lovely brooch in the region of the right collar-bone. Along with the traditional sensuousness of the saree the dresses possess a uniqueness in design and rich colours which seems elegant and graceful.
The saree is generally accompanied with High-waist three fourths Slayed n Back Blouse and Elaborative head scarf recognised as Vastra.. It is finished off with gold and gemstone necklace that gives a luxury touch to the overall outfit.
Modern Culture and Cultural Heritage
As with most facets of life, Traditional Coorg dress was greatly influenced by the more Western approach to dressing even when it recently became trendy. But the Kodavas have done it in a way that has saved their cultural dressing code by fashioning modern dressing with traditional touch.
In the present times, Coorgis use both classic and contemporary designs to merge together the antique and the contemporary. For instance, the Kupya is worn with jeans or trousers in some occasions, the saree on the other hand has many modern ways of being dressed.
Thus, Kodavas do not deny themselves anything of the new while cherishing their tradition as a unique birthright. Their clothing style still holds that sense of belonging that reminds today’s generation of hard work and determination of a socially marginalized group.
