Mundum Neriyathum or Settu-Mundu or mundu-set is the traditional clothing of women in Kerala. It is the oldest remnant of the ancient form of the sari which covered only the lower part of the body. In the Mundum Neriyathum, the most basic traditional piece is the mundu or lower garment which is the ancient form of the sari denoted in Malayalam as 'Thuni' (meaning cloth), while the Neriyathu forms the upper garment.
The Mundum Neryathum is traditionally white or cream in colour and consists of two pieces of cloth, which have a coloured strip at the border known as Kara; the zari in the border is known as Kasavu.
The Kasavu or the golden border is either pure golden layer, copper coated or artificial. The fabric of mundu-sari is cotton and is always woven by hand. Kara or simple line designs adorn the bottom of these saris, while at times small peacock or temple designs embellish the pallu.
Both the traditional and modern styles of the Mundum Neryathum are depicted in the paintings of Raja Ravi Verma. The Mundum-Neryathum is the extant form of the ancient sari, referred to as "Sattika" in Buddhist and Jain literature. It is one of the remains of the pre-Hindu Buddhist-Jain culture that once flourished in Kerala and other parts of South India.
