Category Archives: Asia

À La Mode in Lahore – Khazanchi (1941)

Posted on 31/01/2014 by Anu M

Khazanchi (Cashier) is a 1941 movie which is significant for several reasons (for the full movie X). First, it was amongst a clutch of popular movies made in Lahore that brought in new modes of movie making, until then the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, Asia, Cinema, Culture, cycling, Dress Reform, Early 20th Century, fashion, India, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Islamic Dress, Movies, Pakistan, Salwar Kameez, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Veil Post

Posted on 13/12/2013 by Anu M

VEIL: avagunthana, niririgi, nirangika, mukhapata, sirovastra, yavanika. Veiling is mentioned in Ancient Indian texts by any of the above names, a primary source being Kalidas who mentions the avagunthana in several places.  However, the practice does not appear to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Asia, Costume, Culture, historical costume, History, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian Women, Islamic Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Maharani Post

Posted on 26/09/2013 by Anu M

A liberal spirit, she was an ardent nationalist and one of the founders of the women’s movement in India. She certainly imbibed some of her non-conformist attitude from her husband Sayajirao Gaekwad. Under him, Baroda became the first princely state … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s, Asia, British Raj, Colonial, Costume, Early 20th Century, Feminism, India, Indian Women, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, Uncategorized, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Families Post

Posted on 20/09/2013 by Anu M

A look at families from the late 19th century till about the 1980s.  Its impossible for me to do justice to the many photographs documenting families across region, religion and caste so this is just a sample. First up, North … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 19th century, 20th century, Asia, Bengal, Colonial, Contemporary, Costume, Culture, Diaspora, Early 20th Century, Edwardian, Family, fashion, History, Immigration, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian men, Indian Women, Islamic Dress, Late 19th century, Photography, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, South India, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Saraswati

Posted on 18/09/2013 by Anu M

Srimati paints in water colours, in what can be termed the classical style……The inspiration for this is the Ajanta cave paintings near Bombay-frescoes dating back to the sixth and seventh century of this era. Sandglass, 1966. Saraswati playing a vina, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, Art, Asia, Culture, Goddess, Hinduism, Illustration, Japan, Paintings, vintage art | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Africans in India

Posted on 23/08/2013 by Anu M

Given proximity, its not very surprising that there has been an African presence in India from very early on.  Pakistan for e.g. has a large number of people of African origin, as does Gujarat (the Siddis). As early as in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th Century, Africa, Asia, Costume, History, Indian men, Islamic Dress, Men, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Epic Post

Posted on 16/08/2013 by Anu M

One of the central and much discussed events of the Mahabharata involves the sari – the loss of Draupadi in a game of dice and her disrobing in the royal assembly. Draupadi is in seclusion, her single garment stained with … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Asia, Cinema, Costume, Culture, Epics, Hinduism, History, Indian Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Art School Post

Posted on 30/07/2013 by Anu M

Two of early 20th century art/dance schools in India, Santiniketan/Viswa Bharati and Kalakshetra were not just involved with a revival of Indian dance and art traditions but were also responsible for a new kind of aesthetic.  Khadi, so intregal to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, 1930s, 1980s, Art, Asia, Bengal, Culture, Dance, Early 20th Century, Education, Girls, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian Women, Sari, Sari Blouse, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Chinese Brushwork Post

Posted on 20/05/2013 by Anu M

From Ye Qianyu‘s Indian Dancing Gestures – painted in the 1979s (X, X, X)   Zhang Daqian‘s Indian Actress (1950).

Posted in 20th century, Actor, Asia, Chhina, China, Dancer, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Studio Portrait

Posted on 29/10/2012 by Anu M

Just to wind up on the India/China theme, Garas aka the Chinese emboridered silk sarees with corodinated somewhat ornate blouses. Plus first pic, the one on the right seems to have a pretty spectacular bird of paradise.  Gara in the second picture is … Continue reading →

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