Category Archives: Costume

A Net of Pearls

At the time of Rhea Kapoor’s August 2021 wedding, I was struck by her pearl net veil, surely the standout feature of the ensemble. Back then I also did a mini poll on the veil with a few folk and … Continue reading

Posted in 1900s, 19th century, Accessories, Ancient India, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, gems, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Bride, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, Late 19th century, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Gaman Post

Last year we got ourselves a subscription for mubi and ended up quite enjoying their selection of films. We caught a fair few old Indian films – some of the films we saw are also on youtube but I guess … Continue reading

Posted in 1970s, 20th century, clothing, Costume, Costumes in Cinema, dupatta, film costumes, Film Costuming, Flowers, Indian Actors, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Islamic style | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Seasons Greetings

The annual post on Christmas themed art from India. First up the Margam Kali from Kerala.  The dance is not Christmas specific though many schools do seem to hold competitions including the dance around December. The costume is the traditional … Continue reading

Posted in 20th century, Art, Christianity, clothing, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, Dance, indian art, Indian Costume, Indian Women, Kerala, Sari, South India, vintage art, Women | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Brief Notes from Japan

サリーの女 (Maiden in a sari), 1983. From the Museum publication on the artist Akino Fuku (秋野不矩)). While in Japan I made a visit to the Akino Fuku Museum in Hamamatsu, Japan. While my favourite work of hers was not on … Continue reading

Posted in 1980s, 2017 posts, Art, Asia, clothing, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, East Asia, fashion, India, Indian Costume, Indian Women, Japan, Japanese art, Japanese Costume, Paintings, Personal, Vintage, vintage art, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Goddess

During this month the spirits of the ancestors descend on earth to be propitiated.  It is the time to worship the nine Durgas for prosperity in this life and future salvation.  The kings and their pandits set out to visit … Continue reading

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, 2017 posts, Art, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, Deccan, Goddess, historical costume, India, Indian Aesthetics, indian art, Indian Costume, indian festivals, Indian Literature, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Literature, Sari, sari drape, South India | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Art of Dressing

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

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

East+West

There are plenty of examples of clothes from the West that make use of Indian textiles, at least from the Regency period onwards. Examples include muslin, paisley shawls, 1950s dresses and cotton gauze dresses of the 70s and 80s. There … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Colonial, Contemporary, contemporary fashion, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, India, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Late 19th century, late 20th century, salwar, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, Sari Dress, sari history, Vintage, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Internet Sleuthing – Mary Bhor

Mary Bhor (1865?-1913) Daughter of Rao Saheb Ramji Gangaji Bhor and a second generation Christian, she took advantage of her English education and fairly liberal background provided by her parents. She had obtained a teacher’s training certificate from London and … Continue reading

Posted in 1900s, Christianity, Colonial, Costume, Early 20th Century, Feminism, Indian Costume, Indian Women, Maharashtra, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, Victorian, vintage costume, vintage sari, women writers, Working Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rabindranath Tagore/Epic Channel

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