Category Archives: Vintage Blouse

The Tribal Sari

Posted on 04/03/2013 by Anu M

Post on the tribal sari.  Doing this post was an exercise in paring. The tribes in India (I am going with the nomenclature of tribes here though that itself makes one curious) are extremely varied, their dress changes with region as does their socio-economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Tribal, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Tehran University Post

Posted on 05/02/2013 by Anu M

  I did a couple of posts on tumblr on minorities in India, including the Jews and Armenians. Gauhar Jaan An Armenian Lady Jewish Dress And while doing the Armenian post, I came across this  at the Iranica site, a photograph of the first … Continue reading →

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The Lotus Post

Posted on 31/01/2013 by Anu M

There are plenty of representations of the lotus in Indian art, more often than not religious iconography. Here is a (non religious) selection. Additional posts on the choli and nihonga paintings of Indian women can also be sampled on tumblr.

Posted in Flowers, Indian Cinema, Paintings, Photography, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, Women | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 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 Ceylon Post

Posted on 10/12/2012 by Anu M

I must confess that all I knew of the Sri Lankan sari was that it was “a variant of the Indian sari”.  It turns out that this is not entirely true. Sri Lanka has a rich and varied sartorial history … Continue reading →

Posted in 1890s, 1900s, 1910s, 19th century, Photography, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Frill, Ruffle and Furbelow in the 1930s

Posted on 04/12/2012 by Anu M

Frills, ruffles, furbelows in the 1930s. It is interesting to see the same feature employed differently in the three stills. The women L to R: Imogen Cunnigham, Devika Rani, Kanan Devi  

Posted in 1930s, fashion, Old Bollywood, Photography, Sari, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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