Across the Indian subcontinent, antarvāṇas manifested in diverse forms: the simple cotton dhoti for men, the pajama for both genders, the silk‑lined choli for elite women, and the woven lungi in coastal regions. Textile scholars have traced their evolution through archaeological finds—such as the Indus‑Valley cotton fragments—and through iconographic evidence in temple sculptures. Each regional variant reflects climatic adaptations, trade routes, and local aesthetic values.

The word antarvāṇa (अन्तरवाण) literally translates as “inner covering.” Classical Sanskrit literature—ranging from the Vedas and Upaniṣads to the Kama‑Śāstra and Sūtras on textile technology—contains numerous references to these garments. They were not merely utilitarian items; they carried symbolic weight, signifying modesty, purity, and social status. For instance, the Manusmṛti prescribes distinct types of under‑garments for men and women, linking them to caste and ritual propriety.

Critics sometimes argue that free distribution undercuts the livelihoods of artisans who rely on the exclusivity of traditional knowledge. M Antarvasna com attempts to mitigate this by incorporating a “fair‑trade” marketplace where artisans can voluntarily sell certified reproductions, with a portion of proceeds funding further digitisation efforts.

Today, the legacy of antarvāṇas persists in modern fashion. Designers reinterpret the drape, silhouette, and pattern of historic under‑clothing, infusing them with contemporary fabrics and sustainability principles. Moreover, feminist and body‑positive movements reclaim these garments as symbols of agency, challenging colonial narratives that once stigmatized indigenous dress.