Category Archives: Colonial

The Parsis Post

Posted on 16/08/2013 by Anu M

I mentioned in previous posts that Jnanadanandini was influenced by the blouse and sari style of Parsi women in Bombay. Here are a few examples.  Most have “ribbon border” sari with motifs on the ribbon is quite common in Parsi … Continue reading →

Posted in British Raj, Colonial, Dress Reform, Early 20th Century, Edwardian, fashion, Indian Dress, Late 19th century, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Victorian, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage fashion, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Independence Post

Posted on 25/07/2013 by Anu M

One of the most significant influencers of the way we dress in India was the freedom movement, in particular Gandhi’s thoughts on the moral dimension of clothing, the quest for an authentic Indianness and clothing as a unifier of India’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, British Raj, Colonial, Dress Reform, Early 20th Century, History, Independence, India, Indian Dress, Indian Women, Men, Politics, Sari, Sari Blouse, Tumblr, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Kappi Kultur Post

Posted on 14/06/2013 by Anu M

                 good cup of tea or coffee makes all the difference to the start of a busy day— It drives away that sleepy, lazy feeling and peps up your energy. Make sure by buying … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, Advertisements, Colonial, Early 20th Century, Indian Women, Sari, Sari Dress, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1925 – Karachi and Kolkota

Posted on 14/06/2013 by Anu M

Saris in the 1920s on either side of the subcontinent 1) A Parsi family in 1925 Karachi and 2) A Calcutta Cup Race where “horses take second place to fashion” (from the film Calcutta Topical No 1-1925) . The pallu is worn … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, British Raj, Colonial, cycling, Early 20th Century, fashion, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The South India Post

Posted on 31/05/2013 by Anu M

1.  A Maratha brahmin girl from Tanjore (Tamil Nadu) holding a marigold garland 2. A Tamil girl wearing jasmine flowers in her hair and a silk sari for a temple visit 3. A Muslim lady with a headdress of jasmine blossom and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s, British Raj, Colonial, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, Illustration, Indian Dress, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, South India, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Dress Reform in Bengal Post

Posted on 29/05/2013 by Anu M

On top of that, the kind of fine [clothing] material they wear is not fit to go out in society, and when the material becomes wet and clings to the body, then there is no difference between being naked and … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Bengal, British Raj, Colonial, Dress Reform, Indian Dress, Indian Women, Sari, Sari Blouse, Victorian, Vintage, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ancient India Post

Posted on 24/05/2013 by Anu M

Rather just a look at 2 early 20th century paintings recreating the era. From dawn until late into the night I worked. By day I copied the parts of the wall that were well lit, and by night I shifted on to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Art, Bengal, Colonial, Costume, Courtesan, Culture, Dance, Dancer, Early 20th Century, fashion, Indian Dress, Paintings, Vintage, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ashapurna Devi

Posted on 18/05/2013 by Anu M

In her trilogy, Pratham Pratisruti, Subarnalata, and Bakul Katha, Ashapurna Devi traces the progression of the feminist movement from colonial to post- colonial India. Anita Ghosh in Feminism In Indian Writings In English,  edited by Amar Nath Prasad. Covers of Ashapurna Devi’s books (click to see larger … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Bengal, Colonial, Early 20th Century, Feminism, Indian Dress, Novels, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Nine Yard Sari

Posted on 24/04/2013 by Anu M

I did a couple of posts on the nine yard sari.  Almost impossible to trace a cohesive history with my limited research. But that does not mean one can’t appreciate the style as is! A bit on the nine yard … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Art, Colonial, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, Indian Dress, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Nautch Post

Posted on 03/04/2013 by Anu M

Ongoing posts on Indian dance, particularly in the 19th/early 20th century. This painting is Edwin Lord Weeks’  Nautch Girls emerging from the Taj Mahal. Weeks’  paintings of India have a number of quotidian details and I particularly like this one.

Posted in 1880s, 19th century, British Raj, Colonial, Costume, Courtesan, Dance, Dancer, Early 20th Century, Paintings, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment