Kanan Devi, in a pretty blue, gold-edged blouse with a nicely coordinated sari. I love the quiet beauty of this picture. OK I really like Kanan Devi. Full stop.
Kanan Devi and KL Saigal in Parichay.
Collared blouses, scalloped necks and boxy silhouettes were common in sari blouses in the 1940s.
Sarla Thakral. India’s first woman pilot rocks a sari and looks completely ready for take off.
Its an interesting blouse which can be worn say with a skirt.
More on Thakral here.
Amrita and Indira Shergil – channelling flapper style?
And the princess of Cooch-Behar in a blouse that shows a more demure Edwardian influence.
Also from the National Portrait Gallery.
And another princess of Cooch-Behar in what appears to be Edwardian costume. More on her here.
A number of 1920s influences here from the lame like fabric to the sleeveless blouse to the headband. The sitter is Princess Lalitarni (Lalitrani?!) of Burdwan.
PS: The copyright bit always causes me concern but I am fairly sure I have seen this around the Net.
Not sure who the painter is. But definitely shades of Victoriana in that blouse.
The always lovely Waheeda rocks a stand-up collar blouse.
Vintage Indian Clothing 