Category Archives: historical fashions

Ashadh ka ek din

आषाढस्य प्रथमदिवसे मेघमाश्लिष्टसानुं वप्रक्रीडापरिणतगजप्रेक्षणीयं ददर्श॥१.२॥ Ashar has come, filling the southern sky with A cloud, frolicksome as an elephant About to charge, he seems to lower his tusks. (translation of lines from the Meghadoot from here). The month of Ashadh … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s, 4th century AD, Ancient India, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, Culture, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hairstyles, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, historical hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, Indian Literature, Indian men, Indian Theatre, Indian Women, Romance, Sanskrit Drama, Sanskrit Literature, sari drape, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Monsoon Post

I could probably do an entire blog on the seasons in India and the associated poems but for this blog I stick to posting when we are in the midst of a season. More often than not I post on … Continue reading

Posted in Ancient India, Culture, fashion, Flora, Flowers, Flowers in Literature, Hair, historical fashions, History, Indian Authors, Indian Women, Literature, Paintings, Poetry, Sanskrit Drama, Sanskrit Literature, Seasons, vintage art, vintage hair | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love

I am still in the process of doing 18th/19th cent style posts on tumblr. Before I compile it into a master post, a mid 18th century, Basholi painting of a couple feeding deer. Miniature paintings often feature women of varying … Continue reading

Posted in 18th century, Art, churidar kameez, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, fashion, historical art, historical costume, historical fashions, indian art, Indian Costume, Indian Women, mid 18th century, miniature paintings, Pahari paintings, Paintings, regional styles, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ACK aircraft series

Still waiting on Indian aviation delivering a mechanical flying horse. Have a good week! Panel from Amar Chitra Katha’s The Secret of the Talking Bird.

Posted in 1980s, Amar Chitra Katha, Costume, costumes in art, Folk, Folk Tale, Girls, historical fashions, Illustration, indian art, Indian comics, Indian Costume, Indian Illustrators, Vintage, vintage art, vintage comics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Shawl Post

I did a series of posts on shawls on tumblr that started in the early winter. We are past that now but still in winter so rug up for the ride:) Unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere i.e. In … Continue reading

Posted in 1800s, 18th century, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 19th century, 2016 posts, 20th century, Bengal, Costume, Culture, early 18th century, Early 19th century, Early 20th Century, fashion, Girls, historical costume, historical fashions, India, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian men, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Islamic Dress, Late 19th century, Mughal, North East, photodivision, Politicians, regional styles, retro, Sets, shawls, Vintage, Vintage Dress, Vintage Men, vintage style, Weaving, winterwear | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

2016

A bit late but Happy New Year everyone! Lux calendar for 1954 with Suraiya featured for January/February. A Painting from a Barahmasa series – The month of Magha (January/ February), Garhwal, 1780-90. Source.

Posted in 18th century, 1950s, 2016 posts, Actor, Cinema, costumes in art, Culture, fashion, historical art, historical costume, historical fashions, indian art, Indian fashion, Indian Singers, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, mid century, miniature paintings, Movies, Old Bollywood, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, vintage fashion, vintage photography, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Costume Books

I have been reading a couple of books on Indian costumes and thought I would write a bit about two of them. Queen Subada, Detail from Shahnamah, Sultanate School, 1450. Costume Details: Phiran: of transparent material, form-fitting and ankle length, … Continue reading

Posted in 1990s, 20th century, Accessories, Actor, Ancient India, antique, Art, Asia, Authors, Costume, Courtesan, Culture, Dancer, fashion, Hinduism, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, historical hairstyles, Illustration, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian Illustrators, Indian Theatre, Indian Women, Jaina Literature, Jewellery, Medieval India, Sanskrit Drama, sari history, Theatre, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment