Author Archives: Anu M

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About Anu M

A potted history of Indian clothing and fashion.

Kumbakonam

Posted on 20/11/2013 by Anu M

My grandparents came from the villages around Kumbakonam but lived most of their adult lives in Maharashtra and Bihar.  My great grandparents had a house in Tiruvidaimarudur, they moved here in the 1950s from Mumbai. Given their long lives, we … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, Contemporary, Culture, fashion, Flowers, Girls, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, Tamil, Village, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Bengal Cotton Sari

Posted on 20/11/2013 by Anu M

Shabana Azmi’s cotton saris in Swami (1977) [X] set in rural Bengal. There is a long history of cotton clothing from Bengal and the woven cloth has distinctive patterns so that even most urban users can recognise a Bengal sari. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, Actor, Bengal, Cinema, Culture, Early 20th Century, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Period Drama, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tumblring

Posted on 20/11/2013 by Anu M

Its easy to post on tumblr, far more difficult to compose a wordpress post, hence the hiatus. Costumes in Deccan Paintings. There is a freshness and vigour to Deccan paintings and it’s always interesting to stumble across them. Dancing Ladies: … Continue reading →

Posted in Early 20th Century, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian Women, Medieval India | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Phryne Fisher

Posted on 25/10/2013 by Anu M

And speaking of kick ass ladies, one of the few TV shows I watch both uninterruptedly and uncritically is Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (i.e. I am a fangirl so please don’t take the post as an endorsement to immediately rush … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, Australia, Early 20th Century, Female PI, Vintage, vintage fashion, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hiatus

Posted on 25/10/2013 by Anu M

I am moving so next post will be a while coming. In the meantime, to round out the kickass ladies posts I had one earlier: The Rani of Jhansi Polo Playing Ladies of the 17th century

Posted in Costume, Culture, History, Indian History, Indian Women, Islamic Dress, Medieval India, miniature paintings, Sport, Women, Women Rulers | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tamil Historical Post

Posted on 25/10/2013 by Anu M

The illustrations for Tamil periodicals have a long history and some illustrators are nearly as well known as the writers. A number of serialised stories are historical romances (think Chola empire, Pallavas) and the drawings are fairly vivid in recreating an era, albeit … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, Ancient India, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, Hair, History, Illustration, India, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian men, Indian Women, Jewellery, Love, Novels, Period Drama, Romance, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, Tamil, Tamil Cinema, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Nose Ring Post

Posted on 25/10/2013 by Anu M

The bullaku/bulak or nolok – i.e. a ring that requires nasal septum piercing. Common in some parts of India up until the 19th century, it is now used in dance forms like Bharatanatyam albeit in a clip on screw on form.

Posted in India, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, vintage fashion, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weekend

Posted on 12/10/2013 by Anu M

I do not know what you think of me, but I think you are the most wonderful man on earth. Shakuntala*, Amar Chitra Katha. Its the weekend. Wear your best kanchuki (bodice). Shower some love on the pet deer. And write a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Comics, Costume, Illustration, Indian Dress, Mythology, Romance, Sanskrit Drama, Sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

1940s-1960s

Posted on 12/10/2013 by Anu M

A brief look at fashions on film. 1, The 1940s. Noor Jahan in Anmol Ghadi (1946). This kind of square neck blouse was popular in the late 40s and continued to be so in the early 50s. The sequinned sari of course has … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, Actor, Cinema, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian Women, Movies, Old Bollywood, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Circus!

Posted on 05/10/2013 by Anu M

Shavanaas Begum with Her Three-year-old Daughter, Parveen, Great Gemini Circus, Perintalmanna, India, 1989. Mary Ellen Mark I guess you could call her a strong role model! Have a good weekend! [X]  

Posted in 1980s, Circus, India, ircus, Strong Lady, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments