Girdles have been in use in India for a very long time, since possibly the early chalcolithic age. The kanci aka girdle, is often a broad golden belt used to secure the sari to the waist, to which are often … Continue reading
I mentioned in previous posts that Jnanadanandini was influenced by the blouse and sari style of Parsi women in Bombay. Here are a few examples. Most have “ribbon border” sari with motifs on the ribbon is quite common in Parsi … Continue reading
Two of early 20th century art/dance schools in India, Santiniketan/Viswa Bharati and Kalakshetra were not just involved with a revival of Indian dance and art traditions but were also responsible for a new kind of aesthetic. Khadi, so intregal to … Continue reading
One of the most significant influencers of the way we dress in India was the freedom movement, in particular Gandhi’s thoughts on the moral dimension of clothing, the quest for an authentic Indianness and clothing as a unifier of India’s … Continue reading
Achhut Kanya was directed by Franz Osten and shot in the Bombay Talkies studio on Europeanized sets of a typical Indian village. It has been cloned times without number ever since in Hindi films.The Indian village, in its romanticized image … Continue reading
Mothers and Daughters-1 MS Subbulakshmi (MS) was one of India’s most famous and celebrated singers. Her mother, Shanmugavadivu (note that the S in MS is her mother’s name) was a famous veena player. Pic 1 is of her mother, Pic … Continue reading
I have been tied up a bit with a move but tumblr had some queued posts which got posted over the past few weeks. A few sets as usual which I always find useful to demonstrate the persistence of a … Continue reading
This gallery contains 3 photos.
In the Gallery: 1. “An elegant lady stands facing right holding a white floral garland with both hands. She is finely dressed in an olive green pleated sari edged with gold over a crimson underskirt, the end draped over her head like … Continue reading
From this week’s series on costumes for young girls.
1. A Maratha brahmin girl from Tanjore (Tamil Nadu) holding a marigold garland 2. A Tamil girl wearing jasmine flowers in her hair and a silk sari for a temple visit 3. A Muslim lady with a headdress of jasmine blossom and … Continue reading
Vintage Indian Clothing 