Category Archives: Early 20th Century

All About the Bindi

The bindi/pottu/sindoor/tikli – whatever name it be known by – is probably the most emblematic of Indian elements of attire and also has a long history. It is symbolic (as a signifier of marital status or of caste),  part of … Continue reading

Posted in 1860s, 18th century, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 19th century, 20th century, Accessories, Ancient India, Asia, bindi, Culture, Deccan, Early 20th Century, East Asia, fashion, Hinduism, historical fashions, India, Indian Bride, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian men, Indian Women, Late 19th century, miniature paintings, retro, Sanskrit Literature, Sets, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Rangoli Post

Source for Rangoli terms-X.  Pic Source – X. (~1890s, click for larger view). Making an Alpana, Santiniketan, 1954. Life Magazine, 7 February 1955. From what I know, the use of rice flour or paste is intentional and is meant as … Continue reading

Posted in 1890s, 1950s, 1980s, 1990s, Bengal, Culture, Decorative Arts, Early 20th Century, Hinduism, India, indian art, Indian Dress, Late 19th century, Photography, regional styles, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage art, Vintage Dress, vintage photography, Women, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lit Post – 3

Kamala was simply dressed in a pink silk sari, fastened on the right shoulder with the diamond coronet which Tara had lately given her. The thick soft tresses of her long jet-black hair were wreathed with white roses, and she … Continue reading

Posted in 1910s, 1940s, Authors, British Raj, Chinese, Colonial, Early 20th Century, fashion, History, India, Indian Authors, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Literature, Indian men, Literature, Men, Photography, Studio Portraits, Vintage Books, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion, Vintage Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Indian Royals – 2

The daughters of the Diwan of Travancore in 1868. They appear to be Bala, Neena, Sundara, Sati?. The Diwan was a Maharashtrian from Thanjavur, the sari and ornaments are similar to that seen in Maharashtra and South India in the … Continue reading

Posted in 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1900s, 1910s, 1930s, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, historical dress, historical fashions, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian royalty, Indian Women, Late 19th century, Maharashtra, regional styles, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, sari history, Sets, Studio Portraits, Vintage Blouse, vintage costume, vintage fashion, vintage sari, vintage style, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Indian Royals – 1

Unidentified man, Jaipur, possibly royalty. Painted portrait (gelatin silver print and watercolour) from the 1930s. The collared coat is possibly a sherwani – a garment that displaced the jama, angarkha kind of tunics of the Mughal and Rajput courts by … Continue reading

Posted in 1900s, 1920s, 1930s, 20th century, Colonial, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, History, India, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian men, Indian royalty, Islamic Dress, Islamic style, Painted Photographs, Photography, Royalty, vintage costume, Vintage Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sobha Singh’s Art

‘an accomplished but somewhat sugary style that reminds us of Edmund Dulac’, as Partha Mitter describes it (The Triumph of Modernism: India’s artists and the avant-garde 1922-1947, London 2007, p. 146)……approximate date for the pictures….between 1931 and 1941. X. Sobha … Continue reading

Posted in 1930s, Art, Costume, costumes in art, Early 20th Century, indian art, Indian fashion, Paintings, vintage art, vintage style, women in art | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Costumes in NS Bendre’s Paintings

Part of a series on costumes as seen in Indian art. Weaving had a special significance for Bendre, who taught it together with painting and papier mache while in Baroda in the 1950’s. He painted several works over the years … Continue reading

Posted in 1980s, 20th century, Art, Bengal, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, Folk, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian men, mid century, North East India, regional styles, Vintage, vintage art, vintage costume, Weaving, Women, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Music Post

From a series of posts I did the week of 13 July 2015-17 July 2015. Saraswati painted by Hishida Shunsō [X, X] Flute Player (1) and Esraj Player (2), Nandalal Bose.  Both were painted in 1937 and were commissioned by … Continue reading

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 20th century, Culture, Early 20th Century, Folk, Folk Dance, Goddess, Hinduism, India, Indian Music, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Japanese art, Music, Paintings, photodivision, Photography, regional styles, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, South India, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Music, vintage photography, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Colour of Skin

The red glow of her body, like an unfolding bud. Her black rimmed eyes like flowers, her skin like gold. Who can see your face in the moonlight, like milk in milk. Her lustrous complexion like a blue sapphire. Fair … Continue reading

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, Ancient India, Art, Colonial, Contemporary, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, Girls, historical art, historical fashions, in Colour, indian art, Indian fashion, Indian Women, miniature paintings, Paintings, Sets, Shringaar, vintage art, vintage fashion, vintage illustrations, vintage style | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Buddhism Post

I had done this set of posts starting on Buddha Purnima on tumblr but it’s taken me till now to collate it on WP.  In some ways posts are more coherent on WP so despite the delay here it is.  … Continue reading

Posted in 1880s, 1900s, 1940s, 1990s, Ancient India, Art, art recreation, Asia, Buddhism, Colonial, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, East Asia, historical art, historical costume, historical dress, History, Illustration, India, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian men, Indian Women, Japan, Late 19th century, Paintings, Philosophy, Religion, Sanskrit Literature, Sari, Sri Lanka, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment