Category Archives: Early 20th Century

A Net of Pearls

Posted on 13/09/2022 by Anu M

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 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 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

Holi Hai!

Posted on 14/03/2017 by Anu M

A heap of thorns, etc., are stacked about the first of the lunar- month of Phagun. This stack is made just outside the village on some open space. As the days go by and the Holi festival draws near, the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s, Art, Central India, Colonial, Culture, Decorative Arts, Early 20th Century, Folk, Indian Aesthetics, indian festivals, Vintage Books | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

East+West

Posted on 13/02/2017 by Anu M

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

Posted on 14/01/2017 by Anu M

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

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

Deepavali Special

Posted on 31/10/2016 by Anu M

Manoranjan*, in its Diwali Special issue, published a separate section ‘Striyance Lekh’ (Articles of women writers). The enthusiastic editor Kashinath Raghunath Mitra, is responsible for the creation of a whole generation of women short-story writers [X]. Almost everyone must be … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s, 1960s, 1990s, 20th century, ananda vikatan, Bengali, Culture, Early 20th Century, Hindi, Hinduism, Illustration, Indian Aesthetics, indian art, indian festivals, Indian Women, late 20th century, Magazine, Maharashtra, retro, Tamil, Vintage Magazine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Brooch Post

Posted on 20/10/2016 by Anu M

I had an anon query on tumblr awhile back on how sari pins were worn so I thought I would do a quick post on how brooches were worn in the 1930s and 1940s. Pins and brooches were around earlier … Continue reading →

Posted in 1910s, 1930s, 1940s, 20th century, Accessories, Early 20th Century, fashion, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, retro fashion, vintage fashion, vintage jewellery, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Autumn Festival

Posted on 12/10/2016 by Anu M

Thanks to RL long time since I did any significant update except for a few pieces now and then on tumblr. Before I start again just a few pics for autumn/Dusshera. It was autumn, not a doubt of it. Ere … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 20th century, Art, costumes in art, Culture, Dancer, Early 20th Century, Flowers, Flowers in Literature, Goddess, Hinduism, Indian Aesthetics, indian art, Indian Costume, indian festivals, Indian Flora, Indian Women, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment