| Aspect | North Indian (e.g., Uttar Pradesh) | South Indian (e.g., Tamil Nadu) | Northeast (e.g., Nagaland) | |--------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------| | Attire | Salwar kameez, lehenga, sari (seedha pallu) | Sari (reverse pallu), mundu | Western wear, traditional mekhela chador | | Social norms | More patriarchal; ghunghat (veil) in rural areas | Higher female literacy; less veiling | Matrilineal elements; greater gender parity | | Cuisine lifestyle | Roti-dal-sabzi; women cook heavy, spiced meals | Rice-sambar; women control kitchen gardens | Smoked meats, fermented foods; women sell in markets |