Tag Archives: sari blouse

Ancient Indian Costume

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Anu M

The main garment was the antariya of white cotton, linen or flowered muslin, sometimes embroidered in gold and precious stones. The antariya was secured at the waist by a sash or kayabandh, often tied in a looped knot at the center front of the waist. … Continue reading →

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Amrapali

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Anu M

Vyjayanthimala in the film on the life of Amrapali, the Licchavi courtesan who converted to Buddhism. Bhanu Athaiya (who also designed for Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam and later won an Oscar for Gandhi) apparently based the costumes on Buddhist frescoes, though in the frescoes (as in the statues … Continue reading →

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Conrad Rooks’ Siddhartha

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Anu M

Under black hair, which made to tower high on her head, he saw a very fair, very delicate, very smart face, a brightly red mouth, like a freshly cracked fig, eyebrows which were well tended and painted in a high … Continue reading →

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Santosh Sivan’s Asoka

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Anu M

Santosh Sivan’s epic film of the Mauryan King, Asoka, surprisingly sticks to a simple, subdued palette and body decoration for the princess Kaurwaki. Again not quite the choli but perhaps a sewn breast band. And the film it appears is fairly authentic in terms of plot.

Posted in Ancient India, India, Indian Cinema, Indian History, Period Drama, Romance, Sari Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Amrita Sher-Gil Post

Posted on 21/11/2012 by Anu M

There are so many wonderful Amrita Sher-Gil photographs (and paintings) around that she deserves a tumblr of her own. The ones I am posting today have been around for a bit but I felt like posting some 1930s fashion. I am still a little … Continue reading →

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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 →

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The Artful Pose: Early Studio Photography in Bombay

Posted on 17/11/2012 by Anu M

The Artful Pose A few pictures from The Artful Pose, Early Studio Photography, c 1855-1940.  All the photographs are by Shapoor Bhedwar to the best of my knowledge. There are girls in short tunics worn with sarees (looking like early versions of Hakoba) with … Continue reading →

Posted in 1890s, India, Photography, Sari, Sari Blouse, Studio Portraits, Vintage, Vintage Blouse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The 1960s Post

Posted on 14/11/2012 by Anu M

  James Burke’s pictures of actresses like Madhubala and Nalini Jaywant are hopelessly cheesy so I was pleasantly surprised to find that his numerous pictures of Asha Parekh taken in 1963 are an interesting look at the actress on film sets, at rehearsals and … Continue reading →

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The Diwali Post

Posted on 13/11/2012 by Anu M

Diwali Week. As good a time as any to bring out the bling and the little brocade blouse.

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The Short Sari Post

Posted on 13/11/2012 by Anu M

20th September 1918:  Flag sellers on India Day wearing national costume.  (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) Can’t locate what India Day was meant for – to raise funds for the war effort? The sari is probably a shawl wound … Continue reading →

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