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dhoti

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A traditional loincloth or rectangular cloth wrapped around the waist and drawn between the legs, worn by men in the Indian subcontinent, appearing in poetry as a symbol of simplicity, tradition, and rural life.

Detailed Definition
The dhoti is a garment of ancient origin, its unstitched cloth embodying the concept of purity in Hindu ritual. In Indian poetry in English and in translation, the dhoti often appears in depictions of village life, farmers, and holy men. Its white or cream color suggests cleanliness and simplicity, and its practical draping allows for ease of movement in fields or temples. Poets use the dhoti to evoke a pre-colonial or agrarian India, contrasting with Western trousers. In political poetry, Gandhi's dhoti became a powerful symbol of resistance and self-reliance, and it appears in poems about the struggle for independence. The dhoti's fold and the way it is tucked (the nivi style) are culturally specific details that poets may describe to ground a scene in authentic place and time.
Example
Example in poetry:
"My dhoti had a red border. The dhobi used to grumble: Every time I wash it the whole dhoti is stained" (K.G. Sankara Pillai, "The Dhobi and the Dhoti"); "Oh grandfather, my grandfather, your dhoti is become a shroud" (Indo-Guyanese Women Poets); "Lifting my dhoti, I ease out a steaming stream" (Ramesh Iyengar); "Quisiera ser un hombre sencillo, envuelto en dhoti de lino blanco" ("A Ghandi..."); "His dhoti's white cotton flashed like a flag in the village square"; "The old man's dhoti was folded with the care of a lifetime's habit"
Additional Notes
The dhoti is a garment of ancient origin, its unstitched cloth embodying the concept of purity in Hindu ritual. In Indian poetry in English and in translation, the dhoti often appears in depictions of village life, farmers, and holy men. Its white or cream color suggests cleanliness and simplicity, and its practical draping allows for ease of movement in fields or temples. Poets use the dhoti to evoke a pre-colonial or agrarian India, contrasting with Western trousers. In political poetry, Gandhi's dhoti became a powerful symbol of resistance and self-reliance. The dhoti's fold and the way it is tucked (the nivi style) are culturally specific details that poets may describe to ground a scene in authentic place and time. Related terms include lungi, sarong, and dhoti kurta. Students should note the dhoti's spiritual and political significance, and its role in marking cultural identity and resistance to colonial dress codes.
Also Known As
Indian loin wrap traditional lower garment Hindu drape
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