Tag Archives: Kalidasa

A Net of Pearls

Posted on 13/09/2022 by Anu M

At the time of Rhea Kapoor’s August 2021 wedding, I was struck by her pearl net veil, surely the standout feature of the ensemble. Back then I also did a mini poll on the veil with a few folk and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900s, 19th century, Accessories, Ancient India, Costume, Early 20th Century, fashion, gems, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Bride, Indian fashion, Indian Women, Jewellery, Late 19th century, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 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

Ashadh ka ek din

Posted on 25/07/2016 by Anu M

आषाढस्य प्रथमदिवसे मेघमाश्लिष्टसानुं वप्रक्रीडापरिणतगजप्रेक्षणीयं ददर्श॥१.२॥ Ashar has come, filling the southern sky with A cloud, frolicksome as an elephant About to charge, he seems to lower his tusks. (translation of lines from the Meghadoot from here). The month of Ashadh … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, 4th century AD, Ancient India, costume design, Costumes in Cinema, Culture, film costumes, Film Costuming, Hairstyles, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, historical hairstyles, Indian Aesthetics, Indian Cinema, Indian Costume, Indian Literature, Indian men, Indian Theatre, Indian Women, Romance, Sanskrit Drama, Sanskrit Literature, sari drape, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 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

वसन्त ऋतु – Spring

Posted on 09/03/2015 by Anu M

It’s spring in India. And while the illustration above* is all mildness and white (and indeed the kunda finds mention in a lot of Sanskrit spring poetry) the flowers of spring that are emblematic of the season are quite red … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Art, Asia, Contemporary, Costume, Culture, Flora, Flowers, historical art, historical costume, historical dress, historical fashions, History, Illustration, indian art, Indian Dress, Indian History, Indian Illustrators, miniature paintings, Paintings, Poetry, Sanskrit, Sculpture, South India, Vintage, vintage art, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Veil Post

Posted on 13/12/2013 by Anu M

VEIL: avagunthana, niririgi, nirangika, mukhapata, sirovastra, yavanika. Veiling is mentioned in Ancient Indian texts by any of the above names, a primary source being Kalidas who mentions the avagunthana in several places.  However, the practice does not appear to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Asia, Costume, Culture, historical costume, History, Indian Dress, Indian fashion, Indian History, Indian Women, Islamic Dress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Epic Post – Shakuntala

Posted on 13/10/2012 by Anu M

byeloriszanianka: July, 1957 issue of the China Pictorial (Ren Min Hua Bao) shows a still of China’s National Youth Theatre’s performance of dramatist Kalidasa’s Shakuntala to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the founding of the China-India Friendship Association. Shakuntala is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s, Ancient India, Asia, Period Drama, Romance, Sari, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Epic Post – Shakuntala

Posted on 13/10/2012 by Anu M

And last an interesting peek into the making of the dress of ancient heroines, including  Shakuntala, in the Amar Chitra Katha comics. No doubt a Shakuntala of the 21st century would again be quite different (though we can perhaps skip this soap opera … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Comics, India, Literature, Period Drama, Romance, Sari, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Epic Post – Shakuntala

Posted on 13/10/2012 by Anu M

  Sacontala says goodbye to Madhavi. Illustration for La Civilizacion by Don Pelegrin Casabo Y Pages (Mir, Tarradas, Comas, 1881-82). Shakuntala first appeared in the West in a William Jones translation and its not surprising the German romantics loved the drama. Subsequently Theophile … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient India, Illustration, Period Drama, Romance, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Epic Post – Shakunatala

Posted on 13/10/2012 by Anu M
Posted in Ancient India, Art, India, Literature, Romance, Sari, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment