Author Archives: Anu M

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About Anu M

A potted history of Indian clothing and fashion.

The Birds Post-2

Posted on 03/01/2013 by Anu M

  Courtesan, possibly late 19th century.  Accessories: A Bird. And Attitude. The ensemble is a loose style of salwar-kameez with what looks like a short kameez/tunic.  Up close she has interesting shoes with bow ties. And anklets. And a substantial … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1950s, 19th century, Birds, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Birds Post-1

Posted on 03/01/2013 by Anu M

  Birds appear a great deal in Indian art. They often talk, often they are messengers of love. And parrots are a particular favourite. Today’s post has women in varying attire in different times and their birds.  The first sculpture … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, India, Vintage, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Couples Post

Posted on 25/12/2012 by Anu M

Paintings of Couples 1. Tanjore painting 2. Watercolour by B.K. Mitra (Sr. Artist of Gita Press Gorakhpur United Province) 3. Lady Holding a Lotus (Abanindranath Tagore) The last is from a vampire story, perhaps apt for our post Twilight age:) More here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Early 20th Century, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Monsoon Post Contd.

Posted on 21/12/2012 by Anu M

The abhisarika nayika is a heroine who sets out to meet her lover, heedless of the consequences.  Often depicted walking in the rain with snakes out and about. The nayika says: I know it is now time to part. To part … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 1920s, Paintings, Sari, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Monsoon Post

Posted on 19/12/2012 by Anu M

A bodice soaked in cooling water, play-bracelets made of lotus stems, ear ornaments made of acacia flowers, pearl necklaces of jasmine; these and their bodies wet with sandal paste are the magic used by fawn eyed damsels which needs nor … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, India, Old Bollywood, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Shawl/Cloak Post

Posted on 16/12/2012 by Anu M
Posted in 17th century, 1950s, Costume, India, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ceylon Post

Posted on 10/12/2012 by Anu M

I must confess that all I knew of the Sri Lankan sari was that it was “a variant of the Indian sari”.  It turns out that this is not entirely true. Sri Lanka has a rich and varied sartorial history … Continue reading →

Posted in 1890s, 1900s, 1910s, 19th century, Photography, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Paintings Post – 1920s

Posted on 06/12/2012 by Anu M

  Damerla Rama Rao, who died in 1925 at the early age of twenty-eight…..paintings remained practically lost in an obscure collection in Rajahmundry till they were brought to Delhi and exhibited in 1991 by CMC, the public sector corporation.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, India, Paintings, Sari Blouse, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Random post to document a decade

Posted on 06/12/2012 by Anu M

Shobhana Samarth, probably taken in the late 30s/early 40s. A few posts don’t have a theme but are merely to provide a snapshot of a decade – I normally tag the decade so its easy to follow the tags.

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, fashion, Sari Blouse, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frill, Ruffle and Furbelow in the 1930s

Posted on 04/12/2012 by Anu M

Frills, ruffles, furbelows in the 1930s. It is interesting to see the same feature employed differently in the three stills. The women L to R: Imogen Cunnigham, Devika Rani, Kanan Devi  

Posted in 1930s, fashion, Old Bollywood, Photography, Sari, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments