Category Archives: Bengal

Knits in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

Posted on 28/02/2021 by Anu M

I must confess I was a little lukewarm towards DBB when it released but meant to do a review of its vintage vibe all the same. A second viewing awhile ago made me appreciate the film, its attention to detail … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, Actor, Bengal, Bengali, Bollywood, Cinema, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, film costumes, Film Costuming, Indian Actors, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian men, indian style, Indian Women, Period Drama, retro fashion, Sari, Vintage, Vintage Dress, winterwear | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 1910 saree

Posted on 02/11/2018 by Anu M

Details of a studio portrait of the youngest daughter of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Princess Sudhira. Taken in 1910. Though Gayatri Devi is the most well known, Cooch Behar royalty that preceded her had a distinctive style and you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s, 20th century, Accessories, Bengal, British Raj, Dress Reform, Early 20th Century, fashion, Hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian royalty, Indian Women, Photography, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, sari history, Studio Portraits, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage sari, vintage women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Brahmika drape

Posted on 13/09/2017 by Anu M

I had an anon question on tumblr as an earlier question on wordpress that I will answer here together as they are kind of related. 1. I saw an early 19th century painting which showed women in a blouse and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1870s, 19th century, 2017 posts, Bengal, British Raj, Colonial, costumes in art, Dress Reform, Early 19th century, fashion, historical costume, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Costume, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Late 19th century, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, sari history, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Art of Dressing

Posted on 18/05/2017 by Anu M

Screencaps from the colourised version of Piya Aiso Jiya Mein. Ostensibly about the piya but really an ode to the art of dressing up. Alternatively Meena is Queen of Everything. And has a few helpers. Another similar song – from … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s, 20th century, Actor, Bengal, bindi, Cinema, Costume, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, fashion, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Costume, Indian fashion, indian style, Indian Women, Old Bollywood, Period Drama, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage costume, vintage hair | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The clean ease and civility of Tagore

Posted on 08/05/2017 by Anu M

Meanwhile the days are heating up after the spell of winter; the sun is getting hot, even as a cool breeze is blowing through the boat window and caressing my back. Today there is no special concession for winter or … Continue reading →

Posted in 1880s, 19th century, Bengal, Bengali, Colonial, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, Hair, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Authors, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian men, indian style, Islamic style, Late 19th century, Vintage, vintage costume, Vintage Dress, Vintage Men, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Spring Post

Posted on 07/03/2017 by Anu M

पहले भी मैं इसी राह से जा कर फिर-फिर हूँ (Pehle bhi main isi raah se jaa kar phir-phir hoon) आया-किन्तु झलकती थी इस में तब मधु की मन-मोहक माया! (Aaya-kintu jhalakti thi is mein tab madhu ki man-mohak maya!) … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, Art, Bengal, Birds, Flowers, Flowers in Literature, Hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian Flora, Indian Literature, Indian Women, My Translations, Paintings, Sari, Vintage, vintage art, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rabindranath Tagore/Epic Channel

Posted on 08/12/2016 by Anu M

A young girl’s sari: Rabindranath Tagore’s Atithi (Epic Channel)

Posted in Actor, Bengal, Costume, costume design, Early 20th Century, Girls, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Dress, Indian Music, Indian Tales, Indian Women, Literature, Love, Novels, Period Drama, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mantilla Post

Posted on 21/10/2016 by Anu M

In the pics: The late 19th/early 20 century practice of wearing a mantilla with the sari. Often made of lace. Probably a result of the popularity of the mantilla in nineteenth century Europe and more or less confined to Bengal. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1880s, 1910s, 19th century, 20th century, Accessories, Bengal, Colonial, Dress Reform, Early 19th century, fashion, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Costume, Indian Women, Photography, Royalty, Sari, sari history, Studio Portraits, Vintage, vintage costume, vintage photography, vintage sari, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bombay Stars

Posted on 01/07/2016 by Anu M

We returned from abroad via Bombay. I admit to the ostentatious glamour of the film world there and the intoxication and heady glamour that accompanies it. I also admit to the dearth of deeper imagination or an ascetic dedication to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1950s, Bengal, Bengali cinema, Bollywood, Cinema, Early 20th Century, fashion, India, Indian Cinema, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Regional cinema, retro cinema, vintage cinema, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Art and Fashion

Posted on 29/05/2016 by Anu M

I came across Uma Damle’s interpretation of Hemen Majumdar paintings the other day. Her site also has her take on Raja Ravi Varma’s works. That got me into doing a few posts of spot the artwork in today’s fashion and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 19th century, 20th century, Art, art recreation, Bengal, bindi, contemporary fashion, Contemporary Style, costumes in art, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Late 19th century, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, vintage art, Vintage Blouse, vintage costume, vintage fashion, vintage sari, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment