Category Archives: Women

RIP Jayalalithaa

Posted on 08/12/2016 by Anu M

Jayalalithaa – 24 February 1948 – 5 December 2016  

Posted in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 20th century, Actor, Cinema, fashion, Feminism, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian Women, late 20th century, Politicians, Politics, retro cinema, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, South India, South Indian Cinema, Tamil Cinema, Tamil Nadu, vintage fashion, Women, Women Rulers | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Dream Girls and Boys

Posted on 04/07/2016 by Anu M

The iconic Tamil writer Kalki once described her as ‘Kollum Vizhiyaal’ — one who could kill with her eyes! [X] Thyagaraja also had a very good stage presence sporting long hair and earrings. [X] Around the time that video cassettes … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1940s, Cinema, Early 20th Century, Family, film costumes, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian men, Indian Women, Tamil Cinema, vintage cinema, Vintage Men, vintage style, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bombay Stars

Posted on 01/07/2016 by Anu M

We returned from abroad via Bombay. I admit to the ostentatious glamour of the film world there and the intoxication and heady glamour that accompanies it. I also admit to the dearth of deeper imagination or an ascetic dedication to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, 1950s, Bengal, Bengali cinema, Bollywood, Cinema, Early 20th Century, fashion, India, Indian Cinema, Indian Singers, Indian Women, Regional cinema, retro cinema, vintage cinema, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 70s in a single pic

Posted on 14/05/2016 by Anu M

I chanced upon this pic on ebay and in it are all the glorious 70s trends! First up its prints, prints, prints. The maxis* – at least I think they are maxis, the construction of the lower part is interesting. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, fashion, Girls, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian Women, late 20th century, Photography, retro, retro fashion, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, Vintage Blouse, Vintage Dress, vintage fashion, vintage photography, vintage sari, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

All About the Bindi

Posted on 18/11/2015 by Anu M

The bindi/pottu/sindoor/tikli – whatever name it be known by – is probably the most emblematic of Indian elements of attire and also has a long history. It is symbolic (as a signifier of marital status or of caste),  part of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1860s, 18th century, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 19th century, 20th century, Accessories, Ancient India, Asia, bindi, Culture, Deccan, Early 20th Century, East Asia, fashion, Hinduism, historical fashions, India, Indian Bride, Indian Cinema, Indian fashion, Indian men, Indian Women, Late 19th century, miniature paintings, retro, Sanskrit Literature, Sets, Women | 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

The Rangoli Post

Posted on 09/10/2015 by Anu M

Source for Rangoli terms-X.  Pic Source – X. (~1890s, click for larger view). Making an Alpana, Santiniketan, 1954. Life Magazine, 7 February 1955. From what I know, the use of rice flour or paste is intentional and is meant as … Continue reading →

Posted in 1890s, 1950s, 1980s, 1990s, Bengal, Culture, Decorative Arts, Early 20th Century, Hinduism, India, indian art, Indian Dress, Late 19th century, Photography, regional styles, Salwar Kameez, Sari, Sari Blouse, Vintage, vintage art, Vintage Dress, vintage photography, Women, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Indian Royals – 2

Posted on 04/09/2015 by Anu M

The daughters of the Diwan of Travancore in 1868. They appear to be Bala, Neena, Sundara, Sati?. The Diwan was a Maharashtrian from Thanjavur, the sari and ornaments are similar to that seen in Maharashtra and South India in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1900s, 1910s, 1930s, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, fashion, historical dress, historical fashions, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian royalty, Indian Women, Late 19th century, Maharashtra, regional styles, Royalty, Sari, Sari Blouse, sari drape, sari history, Sets, Studio Portraits, Vintage Blouse, vintage costume, vintage fashion, vintage sari, vintage style, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Costumes in NS Bendre’s Paintings

Posted on 20/08/2015 by Anu M

Part of a series on costumes as seen in Indian art. Weaving had a special significance for Bendre, who taught it together with painting and papier mache while in Baroda in the 1950’s. He painted several works over the years … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980s, 20th century, Art, Bengal, Costume, Culture, Early 20th Century, Folk, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian men, mid century, North East India, regional styles, Vintage, vintage art, vintage costume, Weaving, Women, women in art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment