Category Archives: 1950s

The Spring Post

A little late for this, probably should have posted around mid-February but I still have time till Holi so here goes! Everything is yellow and the fiery red of palash (though in our cities you see a lot more gulmohur … Continue reading

Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 20th century, Art, Bengal, costumes in art, Culture, Flora, Flowers, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian Literature, Literature, Love, Paintings, Poetry, Rural, Sari, Sari Blouse, Seasons, Vintage, vintage art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Period Drama Post

A look at a few contemporary period dramas in regional cinema, almost all are set in the 20th century. मी वेगळी आहे विन्या (I am different, Vinya).  The staging of a play in Ravi Jadhav’s short, Mitraa, during which Sumitra realises … Continue reading

Posted in 1880s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 20th century, Actor, Bengal, Bengali cinema, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, fictional detectives, Film Costuming, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian men, Indian Women, Late 19th century, Lesbianism, Literature, Love, Malayalam Cinema, Marathi cinema, Novels, Period Drama, Regional cinema, Regional period drama, regional styles, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, South India, Tamil Cinema, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage costume, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Shawl Post

I did a series of posts on shawls on tumblr that started in the early winter. We are past that now but still in winter so rug up for the ride:) Unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere i.e. In … Continue reading

Posted in 1800s, 18th century, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 19th century, 2016 posts, 20th century, Bengal, Costume, Culture, early 18th century, Early 19th century, Early 20th Century, fashion, Girls, historical costume, historical fashions, India, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian men, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Islamic Dress, Late 19th century, Mughal, North East, photodivision, Politicians, regional styles, retro, Sets, shawls, Vintage, Vintage Dress, Vintage Men, vintage style, Weaving, winterwear | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

2016

A bit late but Happy New Year everyone! Lux calendar for 1954 with Suraiya featured for January/February. A Painting from a Barahmasa series – The month of Magha (January/ February), Garhwal, 1780-90. Source.

Posted in 18th century, 1950s, 2016 posts, Actor, Cinema, costumes in art, Culture, fashion, historical art, historical costume, historical fashions, indian art, Indian fashion, Indian Singers, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, mid century, miniature paintings, Movies, Old Bollywood, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, vintage fashion, vintage photography, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All About the Bindi

The bindi/pottu/sindoor/tikli – whatever name it be known by – is probably the most emblematic of Indian elements of attire and also has a long history. It is symbolic (as a signifier of marital status or of caste),  part of … Continue reading

Posted in 1860s, 18th century, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 19th century, 20th century, Accessories, Ancient India, Asia, bindi, Culture, Deccan, Early 20th Century, East Asia, fashion, Hinduism, historical fashions, India, Indian Bride, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian men, Indian Women, Late 19th century, miniature paintings, retro, Sanskrit Literature, Sets, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Rangoli Post

Source for Rangoli terms-X.  Pic Source – X. (~1890s, click for larger view). Making an Alpana, Santiniketan, 1954. Life Magazine, 7 February 1955. From what I know, the use of rice flour or paste is intentional and is meant as … Continue reading

Posted in 1890s, 1950s, 1980s, 1990s, Bengal, Culture, Decorative Arts, Early 20th Century, Hinduism, India, indian art, Indian Dress, Late 19th century, Photography, regional styles, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage art, Vintage Dress, vintage photography, Women, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mulgaokar’s art

Filmy costumes for mythological/historical figures in Raghuvir Mulgaokar’s 1953 paintings/calendar art. Pic 1: Mastani  – this outfit aka a kameez that has a tight fitted bodice and skirt and the jhoomar for the hair is both particular to films and … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s, Art, Bollywood, churidar kameez, Costume, Courtesan, Culture, Dancer, Deccan, Film Costuming, ghaghra, historical costume, indian art, Indian Dress, Islamic style, Maharashtra, mid century, Paintings, Rajasthan, regional styles, Sari, vintage art, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dancers (Sudhir Khastgir)

For awhile (in the 50s I think), Sudhir Khastgir painted a number of dancing figures. Here are two: Sudhir Khastgir, Dancing Figure, 1962. The lower panels indicate the earrings and forehead ornament, a little bit of the knotted ponytail, bangles … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, Art, Bengal, Costume, Dance, Dancer, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian men, Indian Women, mid century, Paintings, Vintage, vintage art, vintage costume, Vintage Dress, women in art | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Music Post

From a series of posts I did the week of 13 July 2015-17 July 2015. Saraswati painted by Hishida Shunsō [X, X] Flute Player (1) and Esraj Player (2), Nandalal Bose.  Both were painted in 1937 and were commissioned by … Continue reading

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 20th century, Culture, Early 20th Century, Folk, Folk Dance, Goddess, Hinduism, India, Indian Music, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Japanese art, Music, Paintings, photodivision, Photography, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, South India, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Music, vintage photography, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Magazine Post

  Covers of Chandamama Magazine. Pic 1: 1957, Pic 2: 1979, Pic 3: 1987 (Hindi), Pic 4: 1968 (Telugu), Pic 3: 1979 (Bengali), Pic 4: 1980 (Bengali), Some of the covers really require a Women in Art History deconstruction (though … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, Comics, Costume, Courtesan, Culture, Dancer, fashion, Goddess, historical costume, Illustration, indian art, Indian fashion, Indian Illustrators, Indian Mythology, Indian Tales, Magazine, Uncategorized, Vintage Illustration, Vintage Magazine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment