Kaupinam

The '''kaupinam''', '''kovanam''', '''kaupina''', '''langot''', or '''lungooty''' is a loincloth worn by men in the Indian subcontinent as underclothing. It is still commonly worn in South Asia by ''pehlwans'' (wrestlers) while exercising or sparring in a ''dangal''. It is basically a rectangular strip of cloth used to cover the genitals, with strings connected to the four ends of the cloth, for binding it around the waist and between the legs. [[File:India_wrestling_akhara_training.jpg|right|thumb|A pehlwan sports a ''langoti'' at an ''akhara'']]

The short type of ''lungooty'' worn by naga sadhus or babas often leaves the buttocks bare, it is also known as <nowiki>''coopees''.</nowiki><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rcjmiBm8hHQC|title=Hobson-Jobson|pages=525|isbn=9781853263637 |last1=Yule |first1=Sir Henry |last2=Burnell |first2=Arthur Coke |year=1996 |publisher=Wordsworth Editions }}</ref>

==Use== {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Südindischer Meister um 850 002.jpg | caption1 = Painting depicting youth in kaupina harvesting lotus in pond, circa 850 CE. | width1 = 180 | image2 = | caption2 = Youth in kaupina harvesting lotus in pond, 850 CE | width2 = 196 }} It is still used extensively by ''Kalaripayattu'' (martial artists), bodyguards (''ang-rakshaks'') and wrestlers (''pehelwans'') in rural India, especially in games of ''Malla-yuddha'' and the medieval variation ''Pehlwani'' (a form of sparring from West Asia and South Asia). It is also worn during fitness training & sports coaching (''kasrat''); by men performing any form of physically straining activity and weight lifting such as farming.

Langot is a male sports gear and undergarment, associated with almost every form of physically straining sports like kushti and ''kabaddi'' of Indian traditions. It has been worn by henchmen and sportsmen during practices and sessions, in a similar way to the contemporary use of gym shorts and jock briefs since ancient times. Wrestlers and bodyguards also wear an abdominal guard underneath, to protect and support their genitals.

The kaupinam is a very ancient form of sportswear and was in use since the early Vedic Period (2000–1500 BC), as is evident from a verse in the ''Sam Veda'' of Hindu scriptures.<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 | align = right | width = | border = 1px | fontsize = 85% | bgcolor = | style = | title_bg = | title_fnt = | qalign = | quoted = 2 | salign = right }}

It has religious significance attached to asceticism for the Hindus. 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 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 called ''Kaupina Panchakam'' to assert the significance of asceticism. Famous Maharashtrian sant Samarth Ramdas and Tamil rishi Ramana Maharshi were always depicted wearing a langot in popular pictures.

==Langota== [[File:Indian_Museum_Sculpture_-_Wrestlers,_Jamalagarhi_(9218073869).jpg|right|thumb|Sculpture of athletes in a similar undergarment at the Indian Museum, Calcutta, recovered from the Graeco-Buddhist site of Jamalgarhi in NWFP, present-day Pakistan.]]

The older ''Kapinaum'' form is distinct from the present-day ''Langota'' or ''Langoti'' which is sewn and covers the buttocks. It was worn as underwear in ''dangal'' held at ''akhara''s. It is now mainly used by men when exercising and other intense physical games especially 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.

==In media== A langot was worn by Mowgli, the main hero of The Jungle Book franchise including the 1942, 1967–1971, 1967, 1994, 2003, 2016, and 2018 films.

==See also== {{div col |colwidth=12em}} * Similar Indian clothes ** Kacchera * Related Indian clothes ** Clothing in India ** Dhoti ** Lungi ** Veshti * Similar foreign clothes ** Bahag ** Breechcloth ** Fundoshi ** Loincloth ** Mawashi ** 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}}

Category:Indian clothing Category:Undergarments Category:Asceticism Category:Hindu asceticism Category:Folk costumes