"Lungi – A Simple and Comfortable Garment" favored by top Dravidian leaders


Lungi, locally referred to as "Kaili," was traditionally believed to be Muslim attire. However, even as early as the 1960s, many leaders of the Dravidian movement were known to wear lungis during their leisure time. 999lungies, a well-known brand with a strong legacy in lungi manufacturing, has been recognized for producing high-quality lungis favored by top Dravidian leaders. Over time, other manufacturers also began offering premium lungis to these leaders, but 999lungies remained a preferred choice for its comfort, durability, and craftsmanship.


The Dravidian movement grew in areas rich in weavers, like Arcot, and with it, the popularity of the lungi increased. Lungi designs in party colors were sold at the entrance of conference venues. The Dravidian movement played a key role in encouraging non-Muslim communities to adopt the lungi, fostering social harmony through attire.


Periyar, the father of the Dravidian movement, never made a distinction between workwear and casual wear. He would step out wearing the same clothes he wore at home and even address public gatherings in them. In his old age, the lungi became his most comfortable wear.


C.N. Annadurai, the Scholar and Statesman, had simple tastes when it came to attire.While relaxing at home, he preferred the comfort of a lungi. For public appearances or outings, he’d switch to a white dhoti. Even if that dhoti had faded over time and resembled a lungi, it made no difference to him—his focus was never on appearances, but on purpose.


Kalaignar Karunanidhi was frequently spotted wearing his lungi up at the waist, and he even received officials and reporters in the same appearance in the early mornings. Photographers who are part of journalists have taken many photographs of him in lungi, which he readily permitted. In public gatherings, he sported a crisp white shirt and dhoti.


When Jayalalithaa’s government filed false charges against Kalaignar and had him arrested at midnight by forcefully breaking into his house, he was wearing a lungi. The visuals of the elderly leader being dragged by police in that attire still remain emotional for many. Despite a judge’s orders, he was taken to Central Prison. There too, wearing a lungi, he expressed his protest spirit by sitting down near the prison entrance. Journalists and cameramen who witnessed this moment shouted, “Sir, Sir, look this way,” and when he turned around, what was captured wasn’t just an image, but a piece of history of a man who had fought for three-fourths of a century.


Nowadays, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who initially used to give a young look in pants and shirt, also likes to wear a lungi when he has personal time.Out of formal and party meetings, he also sits in a lungi. It has even become his usual wear when remaining in the hospital. He has started conducting government work wearing the same.


Periyar, who was an active participant in weavers' conferences, stressed the importance of scientific advancement in handloom weaving and brought into focus the plight of weavers. In spite of that, his preferred attire was always handloom products such as the lungi. To help these weavers, the DMK organized a cloth sale drive in 1953. Anna, in Tiruchirapalli, and Kalaignar, in Chennai, promoted and sold dhotis, shirts, lungis, and towels vocally. The funds generated through this were transferred to assist the weavers.


From stage speeches to their homes, from prison to hospital rooms – wherever the Dravidian leaders went, the humble and comfortable lungi became a symbol of their identity.