The Thorthu Story:From A Cultural Staple to A Celebrated Icon

Roshni Venkitaraman - Designer

Thorthu is a handwoven, versatile everyday textile from Kerala.

Lightweight yet highly absorbent, it works as an everyday wipe for home and kitchen tasks, as well as gym, pilates, and yoga use .It's ideal for wiping hands, surfaces, or sweat, supporting a lifestyle grounded in comfort and simplicity.

Behind The Craft: Making Of The Thorthu

Kerala, a picturesque tourist destination in India, is known for its tropical climate and frequent rain. The Thorthu, a long, narrow rectangular piece of fabric usually about a metre long, was specially designed with cotton yarns that effortlessly absorb moisture and dry swiftly, even in heavy rains. As with other Kerala textiles, the Thorthu is typically plain white or kora (unbleached). Dye was introduced later, with coloured bands added to each narrow end. It was mainly handwoven on traditional looms. This practice, which was fading, is slowly being revived.

Benefits That Make The Thorthu Better

1. Super Absorbent: Cotton’s absorbent nature, combined with the Thorthu’s loose plain woven, makes it ideal as a bath towel and to remove sweat in humid weather.

2. Quick-Dry: Bulky towels take time to dry in monsoon, but a Thorthu dries fast, keeping it odour-free and hygienic.

3. Multi-use: Malayalis buy Thorthu in large quantities for various purposes. It is used as heat-shielding headgear for men, a dishcloth in the kitchen, an easy cover-up for women at home, and even for daily chores.

4. Lightweight: Unlike bulky towels and bathrobes, the Thorthu is much lighter, making it travel-friendly. Additionally, the Thorthu is extremely durable, retaining its fabric quality and softness even after multiple washes.

The Rise Of A Timeless Trend

The humble Thorthu is slowly trending on the shelves of global markets. More colours, designs, and larger sizes are available to suit customers worldwide.