South indian Actresses in pavadai chattai (Jacket and Skirt) collection and this gallery contains photos of girls in pavadai chattai, the traditional south indian dress for young girls.
Aishwarya Rai and Sreedevi wore it in `Kandukonden Kandukonden' and `Devaragam' respectively. "And they looked gorgeous," Revathy adds.
Many teenaged anchors on Malayalam TV channels wear the pavada-blouse. Rimi Tomy, anchor and singer, often dons the combo.
Designer Sheela James is realistic when she says, "We cannot expect the pavada to make a comeback. To the modern girl, it is a formal dress."
Both the designers acknowledge that the pavada has become a costume, almost a `uniform' for specific occasions.
Going in for salwar kurtas makes sound economic sense. They cost less than the traditional pavada-blouse. With the demand for salwar kurtas going up, the difference in prices is bound to grow.
But for girls like Kanchana of University College, Kariavattom, the pavada would disappear entirely from our campus.
Giving Kanchana company are five-year-old Shruti and seven-year-old Nivedita. The kids love pavadayum blousum, kuppi vala (glass bangles) and mulla poovu (jasmine). So, take heart, traditionalists. All is not lost. SHILPA NAIR. THE HINDU.
