Re: why in indian culture
Maybe part of it is because of the climate.. I mean, thousands of years ago.. before any civilized religion, they probably wore whatever made them comfortable and then when organized religion (Hinduism for most of them) came about, it didn't put any restrictions on showing the belly. So it became an accepted part of society.
I know it's really hot in arab countries too, so why don't they go around naked or half-naked? Maybe because the predominant religion there (Islam) set certain restrictions on how to dress.