Kaupinam

2022-04-20T15:51:06Z

2A00:23C5:FE18:2700:CD3A:C970:6828:3CAE:

{{short description|Undergarment}}
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| caption1 = Painting depicting youth in kaupina harvesting lotus in pond, circa 850 CE.
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| caption2 = Youth in kaupina harvesting lotus in pond, 850 CE
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The '''kaupinam''', '''kaupina''' or '''langot''' or '''lungooty''' ({{Lang|hi|langoṭī}}) is an undergarment worn by Indian men as a [[loincloth]] or [[underclothing]], usually by [[pehalwani|pehalwan]] exercising or [[sparring]] in [[Akhara#Dangal|dangal]] at traditional [[wrestling]] [[akhara]]s. It is made up of a rectangular strip of cotton cloth used to cover the genitals with the help of the strings connected to the four ends of the cloth for binding it around the waist of the wearer. It is used by wrestlers in the game of ''Kushti'' or traditional Indian wrestling in the ''akhada'' (wrestling ring) and during practice sessions and training.

Small Lungooty worn by [[Fakir]]s is also known as <nowiki>''Coopees.''</nowiki><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Hobson_Jobson.html?id=rcjmiBm8hHQC|title=Hobson-Jobson|pages=525}}</ref>

==Use==
It is used extensively by wrestlers (''pehelwans'') in [[India]] participating in the traditional game of ''[[Pehlwani]]'' (a form of traditional wrestling). It is worn by wrestlers during matches, practice, training and exercises (''kasrat'').

The kaupinam in India is the traditional male sports gear associated with almost every form of physically straining sports like kushti and ''[[kabaddi]]''. It has been worn by sportsmen and bodybuilders during training and exercise sessions (similar to the contemporary use of gym shorts) since ancient times and is still used in traditional sports. ''Langot'' was earlier worn (and is still worn sometimes) in India by men performing any form of physically straining activity. The wrestlers often wear a [[G-string]]-shaped guard underneath to protect their genitals.

The kaupinam is a very ancient form of sportswear and was in use since the early [[Vedic Period]] (2000–1500 BC) in India as is evident from a verse in the [[Sam Veda]], the Hindu sacred scriptures, written at that time.<ref name=wrestle>{{cite book|last=Alter|first=Joseph S.|title=The wrestler's body: identity and ideology in north India|year=1992|publisher=University of California Press|isbn= 9780520076976|pages=305 pages}}</ref> The devotees of the Hindu god [[Shiva]] were said to be wearing kaupinam.

==Religious significance==
{{Quote box
| title = ''Kaupina Panchakam''
| quote = Kaupina vantah kalu bagya vantah<br>Vedanta Vakyeshu sada ramayantah<br>Bikshanna matrena tustimantah<br>vishokamantah karane charantah<br>kaupina vantah kalu bagyavantah
| source = Adi Shankara
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| border = 1px
| fontsize = 85%
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It has religious significance attached to [[asceticism]] for the [[Hindu]]s. The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' enjoins that a true ascetic should not wear anything other than a kaupina.<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/7/13/2/ Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 7.13.2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019071350/http://vedabase.net/sb/7/13/2/ |date=2013-10-19 }}, Bhaktivedanta VedaBase</ref> Sometimes the god [[Shiva]] himself is depicted wearing Kaupina.<ref name=shaivism>{{cite book|first=C. V.|last=Narayana Ayyar|title=Origin and early history of Śaivism in South India|volume=6|series=Madras University historical series|year=1939|publisher=University of Madras|pages=155, 185|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vEFQtQAACAAJ}}</ref> The deities [[Lord Murugan|Murugan]] of [[Palani]] and [[Hanuman]] are said to be wearing this garment.<ref name=hanuman>{{cite book|last=Lutgendorf|first=Philip|title=Hanuman's tale: the messages of a divine monkey Oxford scholarship online|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn= 9780195309225|pages=434 pages(see:186)}}</ref> Langot or kaupin is associated with celibacy.<ref name=Celibacy>{{cite book|last=Abbott|first=Elizabeth|title=A history of celibacy|year=2001|publisher=James Clarke & Co.|isbn= 9780718830069|pages=493 pages}}</ref> [[Adi Shankara]] composed a [[Verse (poetry)|verse]] called ''Kaupina Panchakam'' to assert the significance of asceticism. Famous Maharashtrian saint [[Samarth Ramdas]] and Tamil saint [[Ramana Maharshi]] were always depicted wearing a langot in popular pictures.

==Langota==
'''Langota''' or '''Langoti''' is a traditional style of Indian [[loincloth]] for men, and a more modern form of the kaupinam. It is distinct from the older form as it is sewn and covers the buttocks. It was worn as [[underwear]] in [[Akhara#Dangal|dangal]] held in [[akhara]]s. It is now mainly used by men when exercising and other intense physical games especially [[Wrestling in India|wrestling]], to prevent [[hernias]] and [[hydrocele]].<ref name="Mahatyagi2007">{{cite book|author=Raman Das Mahatyagi|title=Yatan Yoga: A Natural Guide to Health and Harmony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IjpmZ3ysHTsC&pg=PA33|year=2007|publisher=YATAN Ayurvedics|isbn=978-0-9803761-0-4|pages=33–}}</ref>

The loincloth is about 3" wide and 24" long single piece of cotton cloth. It is first put between the legs and then wrapped around the waist very tightly.

==See also==
{{div col |colwidth=12em}}
* Similar Indian clothes
** [[Kacchera]]
** [[Langot]]
* Related Indian clothes
** [[Clothing in India]]
** [[Dhoti]]
** [[Lungi]]
* Similar foreign clothes
** [[Bahag (garment)|Bahag]]
** [[Breechcloth]]
** [[Fundoshi]]
** [[Loincloth]]
** [[Mawashi]]
** [[Perizoma (loincloth)|Perizoma]]
** [[Subligaculum]]
** [[Thong]]
* Related foreign clothes
** [[Tallit katan]]
** [[Temple garment]]: religious undergarments worn by many [[Mormons]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/630855860272488500/ How to wear], visual description.
* {{cite web |url=http://www.yatan-ayur.com.au/langota.htm |title=The Langota |publisher=Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre |access-date=10 August 2012}}

{{Clothing in South Asia}}

[[Category:Indian clothing]]
[[Category:Undergarments]]
[[Category:Asceticism]]
[[Category:Hindu asceticism]]

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Kaupinam