Onapottan' - A Traditional Kerala Art Form

Onapottan' - A Traditional Kerala Art Form 
No turban was worn, according to the higher caste people as it was beyond their dignity to cover the head; however, there existed a universal practice to carry an umbrella. The umbrella of those times was made of leaves of palm tree or Palmyra. It had a long bamboo handle of which the length increased according to the dignity of the person carrying it. It was further stipulated that it should be carried with the end of the handle in the palm of the hand and the arm stretched down at full length. After the British rule, the natural umbrella gave way to the European black umbrella.
The lower castes often twisted a small cloth loosely round the head in the form of an embryo turban, but this was to be removed in the presence of Superiors as it was customary to be bare above the waist while standing before them.

Characteristic of the west coast was the umbrella or the mushroom shaped hat made of Palmyra leaves which fishermen and agricultural workers invariably wore as an admirable protection against the heat of the sun and the rains. The Nayar woman also carried a similar hat with a crown too small for the head in their hands instead of an umbrella.