The Apparel Oft proclaimeth the Man

                                                 The Apparel Oft proclaimeth the Man.

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha has introduced a bill barring recreation clubs, associations, trusts, companies and societies from imposing restrictions on any person wearing the veshti(dhoti.) All parties –allied as well as  opposed to the AIADMK supremo have hailed the Puratchithalavi “Amma’s” diktat as a landmark decree paying reverential tribute to the humble veshti(dhoti). I wonder whether this includes “Kaili”/ “Lungi”/ “Saaram-chaaram”–the coloured and striped version of the dhoti, usually worn by labourers and also the half cylinder which is the Madrasi male’s preferred and   fancied style of wearing the veshti/kaili  folded up till the knee( it will not be even a centimeter above the knee as Madrasis love exhibiting their prudery in public.)

The reason for the Tamilnadu Assembly- whose presiding deity is “Amma”- to bring up this diktat is to pay homage to Tamil culture. No doubt, it is indeed a very laudable chauvinistic pride of the Tamils in their culture. But why has Amma restricted the no-ban on veshti wear only to clubs, societies, associations etc and not extended it to all offices, colleges, schools, theatres and all other public institutions? If veshti is the pride of Tamil culture, why don’t the schools and colleges insist on making veshti the uniform for boys and men? Why do they allow jeans, shorts, slacks, trousers and even  and kurta pyjamas(an export from the North) that smack of western and northern influence on the purity and pristine glory of Tamil culture wrapped around the four/eight yards of the veshti? Why should schools insist on uniforms designed on the western wear of shirts and shorts or trousers and not adopt veshti as the uniform that is synonymous with Tamil culture? Why can’t all offices- in particular the government offices of Tamilnadu have the Veshti uniform that will preserve the age old tradition of the  Tamils?  I am sure if the software companies and BPOs decree veshti wear for their top CEOs and executives , their parent organizations in US will  at once borrow the veshti design from Tamilnadu and make special  branded veshtis by MNCs   not only for their executives, but export  them to India. If  “Amma” veshti is  introduced in all institutions of Tamilnadu ,  the entry of large scale multinational branded veshtis  of Allan Soleys et al can be stopped. I have reliably learnt that the Chinese have in their agenda when Sushma Swaraj visits China to request  Prime Minister Modi to rein in Amma as the Veshti has started giving strong competition to the blue jeans that originated from China as a common wear for all people-from the top executive to the bottom employee barring the military officers and jawans. I have no doubt that with their pride in veshti, the ingenious Tamil brains will design veshti uniforms that can be worn in the high altitudes of the Siachen glacier.

Amma has to extend this decree to the theatres, cinema halls and concert venues in order to preserve Tamil culture. Veshti is now acquired  the pride of place along with Carnatic music, Conjeevaram silk, Coffee(filter) and Idli-Dosa-vada as the pride of Tamilnadu. All these except Veshti have acquired their status without any fiat from the government. In fact, Amma has not noticed that the new generation with their faith in YOLO(You live only once)  has replaced coffee by cococola, idli-dosa-vada by Mcburger and pizza, Carnatic music by rap and pop music and Conjeevaram silk by jeans and trousers of all kinds. Probably and rightly so, she must have accepted  these generational changes in taste and wear as they have not diminished the Tamil passion for their four Cs- Coffee, Conjeevaram silks, Carnatic music and exclusive rice based Cuisine;  Tamil culture has survived  in today’s jean age. Come December, and the whole city of Chennai will reverberate to Carnatic music, interspersed with the aroma of filter coffee and mouth watering hot vadas . Men sporting the double bordered Conjeevaram Veshti and women  the pure zari bordered silk sarees will be in all the sabhas listening to vintage Carnatic music. Life moves on a routin  pace in Chennai. Nothing really changes In Chennai. The two things that excite them are the sight of a Kollywood star and an imagined/perceived slur to Tamil culture. Amma has ensured that there shall be no slight to Veshti in exclusive clubs and societies which insist on dress codes that do not include the humble veshti. Her decree rides roughshod over the apprehension of club owners about the possibility of their exclusive members breaking into lungi dance. She has put paid to their fears of the shocking possibility of half cylinders intruding into and peeking out of the hallowed space of their elitist societies. These clubs can no longer have the autonomy of imposing sartorial codes for their members. Amma in one sweep has bridled the freedom of these clubs even though in a recent judgement on Aamir’s nude poster, the Supreme court said: “If you don't like the nudity in the movie, don’t watch it. “ But the Tamilnadu clubs cannot hold a similar view that if you don’t follow our codes, don’t come here. That is a privilege given only to temple authorities who feel any dress other than Veshti without the covering of the upper torso will pollute the sanctity of the temples as Gods do not like to see anyone clad in jeans or trousers. Amma has given us the poor mortals the privilege to see the lower torso in veshti that was denied by the clubs till now. Amma’s veshti decree has ensured her the loyalty of the Tamil voters for another five years –if not for eternity.