Category Archives: India

The Birds Post-1

Posted on 03/01/2013 by Anu M

  Birds appear a great deal in Indian art. They often talk, often they are messengers of love. And parrots are a particular favourite. Today’s post has women in varying attire in different times and their birds.  The first sculpture … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, India, Vintage, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Monsoon Post

Posted on 19/12/2012 by Anu M

A bodice soaked in cooling water, play-bracelets made of lotus stems, ear ornaments made of acacia flowers, pearl necklaces of jasmine; these and their bodies wet with sandal paste are the magic used by fawn eyed damsels which needs nor … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, India, Old Bollywood, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Shawl/Cloak Post

Posted on 16/12/2012 by Anu M
Posted in 17th century, 1950s, Costume, India, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Paintings Post – 1920s

Posted on 06/12/2012 by Anu M

  Damerla Rama Rao, who died in 1925 at the early age of twenty-eight…..paintings remained practically lost in an obscure collection in Rajahmundry till they were brought to Delhi and exhibited in 1991 by CMC, the public sector corporation.  He … Continue reading →

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The 16th Century Post

Posted on 29/11/2012 by Anu M

Just a few bits and pieces before I move on. First, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, set in 16th century India.  By this century  there were a number of influences flowing though India but Mira Nair quite obviously roots her aesthetic in old … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th Century, India, Indian History, Sari, Sari Blouse, Travel, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Santosh Sivan’s Asoka

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Anu M

Santosh Sivan’s epic film of the Mauryan King, Asoka, surprisingly sticks to a simple, subdued palette and body decoration for the princess Kaurwaki. Again not quite the choli but perhaps a sewn breast band. And the film it appears is fairly authentic in terms of plot.

Posted in Ancient India, India, Indian Cinema, Indian History, Period Drama, Romance, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Amrita Sher-Gil Post

Posted on 21/11/2012 by Anu M

There are so many wonderful Amrita Sher-Gil photographs (and paintings) around that she deserves a tumblr of her own. The ones I am posting today have been around for a bit but I felt like posting some 1930s fashion. I am still a little … Continue reading →

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The Politician Saree Post

Posted on 19/11/2012 by Anu M

Today is the birth anniversary of India’s third Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Mrs Gandhi’s handloom sarees and simple blouses set the style for women politicians for several decades.  Initially as her father’s hostess and later as the Prime Minister, she rarely got … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, India, Politicians, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Artful Pose: Early Studio Photography in Bombay

Posted on 17/11/2012 by Anu M

The Artful Pose A few pictures from The Artful Pose, Early Studio Photography, c 1855-1940.  All the photographs are by Shapoor Bhedwar to the best of my knowledge. There are girls in short tunics worn with sarees (looking like early versions of Hakoba) with … Continue reading →

Posted in 1890s, India, Photography, Sari, Sari Blouse, Studio Portraits, Vintage, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The 1960s Post

Posted on 14/11/2012 by Anu M

  James Burke’s pictures of actresses like Madhubala and Nalini Jaywant are hopelessly cheesy so I was pleasantly surprised to find that his numerous pictures of Asha Parekh taken in 1963 are an interesting look at the actress on film sets, at rehearsals and … Continue reading →

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