Chatta and mundu on the verge of extinction

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: With a Bible in one hand and a rosary in the other, church-going women clad in white chatta and mundu (ചട്ടയും മുണ്ടും) were typical among Syrian (സുറിയാനി) Christians on Sundays. However, this traditional attire is fast disappearing as only the elderly in the community are wearing it.

       With V-shaped neck and half-sleeves, a chatta is a loose blouse, reaching down to the waist. Unlike dhoti, the mundu worn by Syrian Christian women are featured by a pleated fan-tail. Though it seems like an extra cloth tucked in, it is only the upper end of the mundu.

Thankamma Skaria
in her ചട്ടയും മുണ്ടും.

      It is pulled out to form an appendage to cover the back, accentuating the wearer's modesty and charm. In formal occasions, the attire is complete with a kavani (കവണി), which is pinned to the chatta with a brooch, being thrown over the bosom and left shoulder.

    Eighty-three-year-old Thankamma Skaria recalled, "My first pair of 'chattayum mundum' was presented by my grandmother on my coming of age. After marriage, I wanted to wear saree like other young girls of the time. But I had to forfeit in order to please my mother-in-law."

     Apparently, it is of West Asian origin, influenced by early Jewish and Christian settlers of medieval era. The garment was common till mid-20^th century. However, there are fewer takers for this traditional apparel at present as women started switching to modern outfits.

     Seventy-four-year-old Gracy Cherian has a different story. "As the white chatta and mundu are difficult to maintain, I started wearing saree about five years ago. I have also removed my kunukku (കുണുക്ക്) and replaced it with a smaller earring."

     Nowadays, youngsters wear this outfit only for school festivals to perform dance forms like Margamkali (മാര്ഗംകളി ), which is also exclusively part of the Syrian Christian culture.

     Baselius College student Stephy Ann John viewed that youngsters may wear chatta and mundu, if it is redesigned according to modern vogue.