Pitmanbar

A silk and gold fabric, woven on hand looms in Yeola, India. This fabric is curiously woven, red on one side and yellow on the other, and its border is of gold and very dignified. Silk loin cloths are worn during the performance of religious ceremonies and during meals when cotton cloth is considered impure. It is called pitambar in Sanskrit as well as in modern languages. The word pitmanbar merely means a yellow cloth, and the probability is that this fabric was always yellow when it was first introduced, and although it is now dyed red, green, purple, orange or black, it still retains its first name, derived in all probability from the natural yellow colour of the Bombyx mori silk. Vishnu is called " Pitambar-dhari " in mythological books. This name literally means " one who bears a yellow cloth."

A fine silk and wool fabric, plain ground weave, dyed in gaudy colours, and woven in large floral patterns; used for ceremonial wear in India, and made in Tamma, Bombay. Cheap cotton imitations are now made of the dhootie styles. Worn by Brahmins and other high-class Hindus (see Pitmanbar)