Pretty saree in a plum colour, with what must have been a very lovely pallu, wrapped and tucked around at the waist. Grandmother’s unadorned white saree didn’t photograph well, so drape lines were drawn in by hand afterwards. Baby wears a simple dress of ca. 1920s Western style, low waisted, and reaches into a biscuit tin.
Rather garish tinting on this postcard, but still an interesting look at the choices the American missionaries made. Also from the earlier decades of the 20th century, I like the traditional skirt outfits the younger girls are wearing. Many places in what is now Andhra Pradesh are known for their hand woven and printed cotton sarees; lots in my collection.
Hmmm, those hand drawn lines are pretty kooky. But you’ve got to admire the industriousness of the photographer or tinter.
I really like the necklace the younger woman is wearing. Only wish we had a closer or more detailed view. The pallu does indeed look cool. And talk about being spitting images of one another, the mother and daughter look nearly identical.
Poor child! No more biscuits nor patience waiting for the photographer!
This looks a lot more recent than 1920s.
It is possible that it is distorted because of the missionary presence.
Interesting picture as always.
Do you refer to the three generations image by the C of E missionaries? Their address on Chancery Lane in London was current from 1898 until 1929, when the office was moved, according to a reference to their archives. The ebay seller of the postcard gave no data, and my focus was the baby’s dress. I’ve seen another earlier-looking Zenana Society photograph where one woman’s blouse looked surprisingly “modern” like the lady in purple, as if from the 1940s or ’50s.
If you mean the nine little girls in the American school, I’ll need to check further!