This slightly damaged postcard shows a neat mix of Western fashion and South Indian styling. Two of the girls wear their sarees over trendy blouses and the third has a traditional little choli - all three sporting loads of jewellery with tight belts the focal point. Seated lower down, the fourth girl appears to be in a basque bodice and skirt, a more old-fashioned Euro outfit. I especially like the checked saree with the satin blouse.

I love the coin-dot saree on this petite woman from the early 20th century. Though the colouring added to the image is beautifully done, I think we’ve lost something in the translation.  Was the saree really a solid grey with white circles?  It looks heavier than I suspect it was, more flat or less delicate, if you see what I’m (not) seeing. The woven golden border does retain its sheen.

The model’s traditional velvet choli has ornaments of silk or metallic embroidery that follow the simple construction of the sleeve along the neck and down the body.  And I like her stacked necklaces, a pearl choker above the piece at her throat.  A feather fan, small earrings and  minimal bracelets complete her look of restrained elegance.

Dancer/actress Radha Sri Ram had a role in the movie “The River,” shot entirely in India by noted director Jean Renoir.  Her saree (I’m picturing it in red), is interesting because it might be printed or resist dyed and looks like a bandhni pattern.  What do you think?

According to the newspaper caption, Radha was considered one of the top three classical dancers at the time, and she had a degree in Sanskrit!  She was truly a natural beauty; note the lack of makeup – not even mascara. The Technicolor film played in New York City for 34 weeks and won several international awards, though few remember it today.  I’ll watch it soon as a computer-view on Amazon.