Category Archives: Art

The Mughals-1

It’s probably accurate to say that an indigenous form of the Islamic clothing brought in by the Mughals (a mix of Turkish and Persian influences) took shape during the reign of Akbar and Jahangir.  This period also sees the style … Continue reading

Posted in 1600s, 1610s, 1620s, 16th Century, 17th century, Art, churidar kameez, Costume, Culture, Deccan, Dress Reform, dupatta, fashion, ghaghra, historical art, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, History, India, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian men, Indian Women, Islamic Art, Islamic Dress, Islamic style, Mughal, Paintings, Royalty, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Aya de Yopougon

Sari Break. Immigrant Côte d’Ivoire ladies in Paris offer up their honest opinion on leopard prints. From the utterly delightful bande dessinée I am presently reading, Aya: Love in Yop City, set in 1970s Côte d’Ivoire. Everyone should read Aya … Continue reading

Posted in 1970s, Africa, African, Art, Authors, Comics, Contemporary, Culture, fashion, french illustrations, Illustration, retro, retro fashion, Vintage, vintage fashion, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Christmas Post

Merry Christmas to everyone and happy holidays! Watercolour by Manishi Dey.

Posted in 1960s, 20th century, Art, Asia, Bengal, Costume, Culture, ghaghra, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian Women, Paintings, regional styles, vintage art, Vintage Dress, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Winter Post

Like śiśira, there is an abundance of snow, the sun shines weakly – resembling the moon – and those who can stay indoors, preferably with their lovers*. It is the season to stay home, curl up alone or with family … Continue reading

Posted in 1800s, 19th century, Art, Asia, Costume, Culture, dupatta, Early 19th century, fashion, ghaghra, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Illustrators, Love, miniature paintings, Paintings, regional styles, Royalty, vintage art, vintage style, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Flower Post

Mimi, on your birthday, tell me what should I buy? A red sari, a silken blouse, a purple petticoat, and a shiuli‘s shade, its flowers dropping, when the night draws to a close. Selected Poems of Buddhadeva Bose Getting up … Continue reading

Posted in Art, dye, Flowers, harsingar, natural dye, parijat, Sari, Sari Blouse, shiuli, Vintage, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Bengal Sari

The stripes and greens of a Bengal sari. All prints by Lalu Prasad Shaw.

Posted in Art, Bengal, Contemporary, India, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Prints, Sari, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Red Ribbon Post

I have written a bit on how ribbons went from being youthful fashion to something worn at best by village school girls-though a lot more can be said on the subject. Indian readers of a certain age will no doubt … Continue reading

Posted in Accessories, Art, Contemporary, Girls, Hair, indian art, Indian fashion | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roop and Baz

At first love seemed easy but after hard. [X] For a couple whose legendary relationship was built on a love of poetry and music, Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati appear an awful lot in hunting scenes in miniature paintings. Their … Continue reading

Posted in 16th Century, Art, Asia, churidar kameez, Costume, Culture, Deccan, fashion, historical art, historical costume, historical dress, History, hunt, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian men, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Mughal, Music, Paintings, Poetry, Romance, Royalty, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recreating Vintage/Historical Art

Like him or hate him, Raja Ravi Varma remains influential more than a 100 years after his death. Recreating his work seems to be a bit of a thing ranging from the recent Rang Rasiya to Makaramanju to Pushpamala’s photo … Continue reading

Posted in 16th Century, 1900s, 1930s, Art, art recreation, Asia, Bengal, Documentary, ghaghra, historical art, historical costume, indian art, Indian Women, Malayalam Cinema, miniature paintings, Paintings, Sari, Vintage, vintage costume | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Abhisarika Nayika

She’s taken off her belt (with it’s tingling bells) also her jingling anklets her silk sari is soaked through-her body too, to the bone. Thank God! for the lighting flashes: They show her the path the one her messenger described. … Continue reading

Posted in 16th Century, 17th century, Art, churidar kameez, Costume, fashion, historical art, historical costume, historical dress, India, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian Women, Islamic Dress, miniature paintings, Mughal, Poetry, Sanskrit, Sanskrit Drama, Sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments