January 7 is Veshti Day. No, we didn’t make that up.
While we are not quite sure whether it was indeed founded by the mandhiris of TN or by the tycoons who hire handsome stars for their TVCs, Veshti Day, nevertheless is a good excuse to watch these memorable songs…where our actors are seen flaunting some creative drapes of the traditional venniradai.
(PS: Speaking of commercials, the one featuring Bharathiraja in a blinding white dhoti and shirt remains our favourite. We watch it thrice every Friday at Sathyam Cinemas, you see.)
1. There were one too many contenders for this slot. Murattu Kalai or Ejamaan? We were, as the phrase goes, in a quandary. But then, doesn’t Thalaivar look more rustic in this all-time classic from Murattu Kalai?
A word for this drape: Assaultu
2. In this song from Thevar Magan, Kamal Haasan tells us how to wear a veshti when you have some heavy-lifting to do. Break bones and toss goons around? All in a day’s work for KH.
A word for the drape: Stud
3. This song will be eternally remembered for Raaja, Balu, Yesudas, and ‘Surya and Deva’. Today, we add yet another reason to the list. Balachander’s Azhagan is an expert at madichi-kattufying the veshti.
A word for the drape: Classic
4. This man turned theatres into a satta sabhai when Veeram released. Thousands of veshti-clad men thronged cinemas to catch a glimpse of the star. It doesn’t happen quite often, you know!
A word for the drape: Gethu
5. These gentlemen seem better models than the Sararthkumars and Jayarams of the veshti-ads world. We love Lalettan‘s look here; grim and brooding, in tune with the setting. That morratu look goes quite well with veshtis.
A word for the drape: Mass
6. One has to learn the art of veshti-draping from Ramarajan. At a time when actors used invisible belts to fasten their veshtis, there came a star who wore it like he was born with it.
Ramarajan, his veshtis, and his silk jibaas are unforgettable.
Also memorable was his lipstick borrowed from Marilyn Monroe.
A word for the star: Dare-devil
7. Veshtis waited to be worn by this man. He was also barely spotted in anything other than a veshti. Proof!
Rajkiran was a trendsetter. He gave hope to veshti moguls, and also to the petty businessmen, who sold the patti patti trousers.
One word to the star: Thank you!
Featured image courtesy: www.iflickz.com
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