Category Archives: Bengal

Kanan Devi

Posted on 14/05/2014 by Anu M

My tumblr avatar is usually that of the actress Kanan Devi, a star of the 1930s and 1940s. Though the silents had a number of famous actresses, it is with the talkies and the 1930s that you find stars and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, Actor, Bengal, Cinema, Colonial, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Music, Sari, Sari Blouse, vintage fashion, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The evolution of the modern sari

Posted on 08/04/2014 by Anu M

It’s been difficult for me to update this blog along with tumblr as I am a little hard pressed for time. The only significant thing that I need to update here are a series of posts I am doing on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 19th century, 20th century, Bengal, British Raj, Colonial, Early 20th Century, Flapper, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian Women, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage fashion, vintage sari | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to dress like a 1937 heroine

Posted on 14/01/2014 by Anu M

This post on ruffled blouses refers to Mukti (1937)* [X] [X].  The movie was a bit of a fashion influencer with Kanan’s crown braid and  Barua’s beret worn backwards apparently all the rage. It turns out the movie is on … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, Actor, Bengal, Cinema, Colonial, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, Hair, Indian Cinema, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian men, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Movies, Sari, Sari Blouse, Singer, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Bengal Cotton Sari

Posted on 20/11/2013 by Anu M

Shabana Azmi’s cotton saris in Swami (1977) [X] set in rural Bengal. There is a long history of cotton clothing from Bengal and the woven cloth has distinctive patterns so that even most urban users can recognise a Bengal sari. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, Actor, Bengal, Cinema, Culture, Early 20th Century, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Period Drama, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Period Film Post

Posted on 02/10/2013 by Anu M

The Period Film – 1960s Calcutta in Shadows of Time. Sleeveless blouses, updos, pale lipsticks and a focus on the eye makeup. The actresses: Tannishtha Chatterjee and Tillotama Shome. The movie: [X]

Posted in 1960s, Bengal, Cinema, Indian Cinema, Period Drama, Sari, Sari Blouse, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Vintage Illustration

Posted on 17/09/2013 by Anu M

Gaganendranath Tagore‘s “Respecting Women?” illustration of 1916. (via sotheby’s). Things haven’t changed vastly in a 100 odd years.

Posted in 1910s, Bengal, Early 20th Century, Feminism, Illustration, India, Indian men, Indian Women, Sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The 1920s Paintings Post

Posted on 30/08/2013 by Anu M

Mazumdar tended to hint at nudity by draping his models in semi-transparent or wet saris, a technique that was later adopted by Indian cinema. Hemendranath Mazumdar‘s naturalistic oils of partially clothed, vaguely erotic looking women were unsurprisingly popular in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, 1930s, Art, Bengal, Culture, Early 20th Century, Indian Dress, Indian Women, Jewellery, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage art, vintage fashion, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

Sunayani Devi

Posted on 14/06/2013 by Anu M

Sunayani Devi stands out not because of her degree of conformity to male peers but because of her distinct pursuit of a personal vision.  Although Abanindranath Tagore and the Bengal School would have been influential, her concerns were more mythic … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, Art, Bengal, Culture, Early 20th Century, India, Indian Women, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment