Love this saree picture from 1940’s

Beautiful chickankari work.

Here is some contemporary chickan work

Exactly the same!

The art is said to be introduced by Noorjahan the beautiful queen of Emperor Jahangir. She is said to be an expert in embroidery and inspired by the Turkish embroidery.

Another story is that the chikan originated in East Bengal. There is a mention of chikan, the florals on fine muslins in 3rd century BC. The craftsmen believe that the origin goes back to the time of Prophet. It is believed that while he was passing through a village in Uttar Pradesh, he requested a villager for water. On being offered that, he gave the art of Chikankari to the poor villager as an art that will never let him go hungry.

As old as time itself. And that is what I love about sarees – it is a bridge between You and your heritage, all rolled up in six yards.

Rima Kallingal in an antique white saree

Love the sepia tone of the picture with the antique white saree.

Interesting saree pictures from GangWar

The first picture is kind of interesting; each women in a different colored saree, but they still seem to be matched b/c the design on each one of them looks similar (except the black one).

Fresh and Fun Spring Prints

Polka dots are playful. A saree with a polka dot pattern as well as solid colored sections works great, that way the pattern isn’t too busy.

A bold floral motif is trendy and eye catching. Be careful not to choose a saree with the same large print all over or you may be washed out.

Unique prints and repeated large patterns are fun and add a little more life to a saree. Plus, contrasting color combinations make quite a statement.

Saree designs from radhikasarees.com.

Comical Saree Ad

I find it comical when a model poses next to an object she has no connection with or any intention of using. This one made me chuckle. It appears as though she is exhausted from playing the drums. Take a rest, dear. pounding on the drums while looking beautiful is indeed fatiguing.

Star Plus Launches New Serial ‘Behnein’

I like these sarees; hope they are matched to the kind of character that each of these women play on the show.

The saree revival has benefited from TV serials, so more power to them!

Rutuparna Sengupta – there is something missing

I might be distantly related to Rutuparna Sengupta, despite that, am I the only one that finds something lacking in her style?

Just doesn’t look right – the silhouette is wrong (makes her look fat), the pleats are all over, giving her a messy look..

Calcutta and Sarees from 1945

I love this picture for two reasons; it shows sarees from 1945 and it shows Calcutta from 1945.

As some of you know, I am an avid antique map collector and have one of the better private collections of antique Indian maps. Hopefully I’ll share that with you at some point.

The origin of these pictures is as follows:

The South Asia Section of the Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania recently acquired from a bookdealer a photograph album consisting of 60 photographs of Calcutta taken most likely between 1945-1946. The photographer, Mr. Claude Waddell, also provided the interesting glosses accompanying each photograph.

Indian women, dressed in the native Saree, return from prayer at Jain Temple. Little girls wear European
dress usually until the marriage age, although some mothers like to dress the little girls in Sarees.

Check out more of them at UPenn site.