Short Pants
Item number Eg56 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
Public
RRN ID
Item Records
This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.
The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.
These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.
- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Shorts have a drawstring waist with an orange band around the waist and legs. The back is decorated with starburst and flower shapes with horseshoe shapes on each side. Front is decorated with horseshoe motif and male figure outlined in white braid inside. Around waist are rows of fine yellow braid, sewn by machine.
History Of Use
The shorts are used during the Chitrai Festival in May (a bathing and processional festival) which is held in honour of Vaishnavite god, Alagar. The main procession in which the shorts (as well as similarly decorated umbrellas, etc.) are worn, moves from the Alagar Koil (temple) to the Vaigai Tiver, running through Madurai City. Here, ritual bathing occurs. The costumes are worn by devotees (usually a particular group patronizing a member who dresses up and becomes the centre of attraction of that part of the procession). The shorts are stitched by a special group of tailors working in a large stone pavilion adjoining the Meenakshe temple (called Pudu Mandapan). These are sold as retail items or made by order.
Cultural Context
festival
Iconographic Meaning
The iconography depicted on the front of each leg of these shorts is that of the images of the god Vishnu's attendants. They are shown here carrying the village knife (aruval) and club (danda).
Item History
- Made in Tamil Nadu, India
- Collected during 1974
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
- Name
- Short Pants
- Identification Number
- Eg56
- Type of Item
- pant
- Material
- cotton fibre and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- machine woven, embroidered and machine stitched
- Overall
- height 51.0 cm, width 47.0 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tamil Nadu, India
Who
- Culture
- South India
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
When
- Collection Date
- during 1974
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0411/0225
Ask a question
Let the RRN community answer your questions
Public
With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account
Shared Knowledge
Share your knowlege of this item with the RRN community
Public
With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account
Similar Items
