Category Archives: Literature

Goddess

Posted on 25/09/2017 by Anu M

During this month the spirits of the ancestors descend on earth to be propitiated.  It is the time to worship the nine Durgas for prosperity in this life and future salvation.  The kings and their pandits set out to visit … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, 2017 posts, Art, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, Deccan, Goddess, historical costume, India, Indian Aesthetics, indian art, Indian Costume, indian festivals, Indian Literature, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Literature, Sari, sari drape, South India | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sankranti Wishes

Posted on 14/01/2017 by Anu M

The wintry season that abounds with sweet rice and sugarcane and mounds of dark palm-sugar dainties; When Love waxes proud and love’s sport is at fever-pitch; when the anguish is intense of parted lovers; May this season be to you … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Folk Dance, Hinduism, Indian Aesthetics, indian festivals, Indian Illustrators, Indian Women, Literature, miniature paintings, Paintings, Postcards, Religion, Sanskrit Literature, Tamil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mohan Rakesh

Posted on 09/01/2017 by Anu M

Taking the support of history or historical personalities does not make literature history. History compiles and catalogues facts in a time bound manner. This has never been the purpose of literature. To compensate for the vacant chambers of history is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, Ancient India, Authors, Buddhism, hindi literature, History, Indian Authors, Indian Literature, Indian men, Literature, My Translations | 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

Posted on 21/10/2016 by Anu M

दन्या चीनाखान की दक्ष महिताओं के नृत्यगीत अल्पना की तो ख्याति सुनी ही थी, उस दिन देख भी लिया. केवल अँगुली  के नैपुन्य से चित्रांकित हर रेखा का ये गजब का संतुलन था और कैसी अचूक सीध! शांतिनिकेतन में नंदलाल बोस की पुत्री गौरीभंज … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s, 20th century, Decorative Arts, hindi literature, Indian Literature, Indian Women, Literature, My Translations, Vintage Books, vintage photography, vintage style, Women, women writers | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

प्रेमचंद के फटे जूते/Premchand’s Torn Shoes

Posted on 02/08/2016 by Anu M

Source: Flickr. Most folk would have seen the Google Doodle of 31 July 2016 in honour of Premchand’s birth anniversary. My translation of Harishankar Parsai‘s essay Premchand ke Fate Joote (Premchand’s torn shoes) below. Original Hindi version from which I … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 20th century, Authors, Early 20th Century, hindi literature, India, Indian Authors, Indian Dress, Indian Literature, Indian men, Literature, My Translations, Photography, Vintage Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Monsoon Post

Posted on 19/07/2016 by Anu M

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

The Spring Post

Posted on 15/03/2016 by Anu M

A little late for this, probably should have posted around mid-February but I still have time till Holi so here goes! Everything is yellow and the fiery red of palash (though in our cities you see a lot more gulmohur … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 20th century, Art, Bengal, costumes in art, Culture, Flora, Flowers, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian Literature, Literature, Love, Paintings, Poetry, Rural, Sari, Sari Blouse, Seasons, Vintage, vintage art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Period Drama Post

Posted on 26/02/2016 by Anu M

A look at a few contemporary period dramas in regional cinema, almost all are set in the 20th century. मी वेगळी आहे विन्या (I am different, Vinya).  The staging of a play in Ravi Jadhav’s short, Mitraa, during which Sumitra realises … Continue reading →

Posted in 1880s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 20th century, Actor, Bengal, Bengali cinema, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, fictional detectives, Film Costuming, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian men, Indian Women, Late 19th century, Lesbianism, Literature, Love, Malayalam Cinema, Marathi cinema, Novels, Period Drama, Regional cinema, Regional period drama, regional styles, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Sets, South India, Tamil Cinema, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, vintage costume, vintage fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Autumn/Festive Season

Posted on 17/10/2015 by Anu M

We are in autumn but it remains very warm.  Reading autumn poetry is about the only one to keep one’s cool. The skies, growing gradually peaceful, flow like long rivers across heaven, with sandbanks formed of the white clouds and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1760s, 18th century, 2000s, Actor, Ancient India, Art, century, Costume, costumes in art, Culture, Dance, Dancer, Flora, Flowers, ghaghra, Goddess, historical costume, historical dress, indian art, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, indian festivals, Indian men, Indian Textiles, Indian Women, Literature, miniature paintings, Paintings, Sanskrit Drama, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, sari history, Seasons, Women, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment