Category Archives: Sari

The Marilyn Silverstone post

Posted on 28/02/2013 by Anu M

Marilyn Silverstone‘s 1959 photograph of Waheeda Rehman. More on her here.

Posted in 1950s, Actor, Old Bollywood, Photography, Sari, Sari Blouse, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Music Post

Posted on 26/02/2013 by Anu M

Women and Stringed Instruments: a) Temple Sculpture (anklets!) b) Kalighat Painting (the women always have anklets and pointy shoes) c) Mid 19th century portrait (the attire appears late Mughal) d) Raja Ravi Varma’s woman playing sitar (love the casually discarded footwear detail, the sari is the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1950s, 19th century, Ancient India, fashion, Indian Dress, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Classical Drape

Posted on 17/02/2013 by Anu M

Post Alexander’s North Indian excursion, there were a number of Hellenic influences in that part of India.  It is hard to say how much the Greeks influenced the precursor of the sari (Greek garments at the time included the peplos and chiton) but thedepiction of … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Colonial, Paintings, Sari, Victorian, Vintage, Vintage Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tamil Cinema Poster Post

Posted on 14/02/2013 by Anu M

I love that so many old Tamil film posters have just the actresses on them and you get to see different kinds of attire. The first film is Madanamala, where the heroine is a dancer. The second,Devamanohari, features a princess. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 20th century, Cinema, Courtesan, Dancer, Indian Cinema, Sari, Sari Blouse, Tamil Cinema, Women | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Princess Post

Posted on 13/02/2013 by Anu M

Vijayaraje Scindia in the 1940s in a gold bordered sari.  A style so popular in the 30s/early 40s. Also Durru-Shehvar though admittedly my attention was diverted by the splendid Diana Vreeland.

Posted in 1940s, 20th century, fashion, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Travancore Sisters

Posted on 20/01/2013 by Anu M

The Travancore Sisters were a famous dancing trio and one of them, Padmini, was a major star in South Indian cinema and also acted in Hindi films. Betsy Woodman’s family lived next door to the sisters and her blog is full of fascinating details about both … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, Actor, Dancer, Indian Cinema, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Down South

Posted on 19/01/2013 by Anu M

A brief photoessay on the fashions prevalent in the south of India. And a bit on the practice of kolam/rangoli.

Posted in 1950s, 1960s, 19th century, Sari, Sari Blouse, South India, Vintage, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The 1960s post

Posted on 10/01/2013 by Anu M
Posted in 1960s, Cinema, fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Couples Post

Posted on 25/12/2012 by Anu M

Paintings of Couples 1. Tanjore painting 2. Watercolour by B.K. Mitra (Sr. Artist of Gita Press Gorakhpur United Province) 3. Lady Holding a Lotus (Abanindranath Tagore) The last is from a vampire story, perhaps apt for our post Twilight age:) More here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Early 20th Century, Paintings, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Monsoon Post Contd.

Posted on 21/12/2012 by Anu M

The abhisarika nayika is a heroine who sets out to meet her lover, heedless of the consequences.  Often depicted walking in the rain with snakes out and about. The nayika says: I know it is now time to part. To part … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 1920s, Paintings, Sari, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment