Costumes, Textiles & Jewellery of India (Hardcover)

~ Vandana Bhandari (Author) "India and its people provide some of the most striking and colourful sights..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sleeve Sleeve, Gusset Gusset, National Museum (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Costumes, Textiles & Jewellery of India unravels the beautiful and sophisticated language of traditional Indian Costume, in this detailed study of the complex role played by clothing and ornamentation in Indian society. It focuses on the state of Rajasthan, one of India’s most celebrated and historically rich regions. Compiled over more than fifteen years of research, this fascinating volume explores how Indian costume reflects the wearer's marital status, occupation, seasonal changes and religious commitment, serving as an essential symbol of their identity and ancestry.

Sumptuously illustrated with dozens of full-color photographs, this is an essential book for all those interested in Indian style as well as those reflecting on the cultural, social, historic and technical aspects of textiles, costumes and ornamentation.

About the Author

Dr. Vandana Bhandari has spent many years studying and documenting Indian Textiles and the traditions and lifestyle of the people. Extensively published in journals and magazines, her books include ‘Celebrating Dreams: Weddings in India’ (1998), ‘Textiles and Crafts of India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur’ (1998) and the NIFT Millennium Document titled, ‘Evolving Trends in Fashion’. She is also a contributor to the ‘Encyclopaedia of Clothing and Fashion’.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mercury Books (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904668895
• ISBN-13: 978-1904668893
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,048,532 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars social meanings of Indian garments, February 28, 2005

By	Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Indian clothing expert Bhandari does a tour de force. Nothing is left out--from origins of and historical influences on Indian garb to materials and manufacture; from basic clothing to the variety of ornaments and accessories; from jewelry and bracelets to class and ethnic wear. The often exotic Indian clothing so noticeable to outsiders does not basically reflect the fashion tastes or personality of the wearer, but instead mainly denotes social station and sometimes occupation. As expected, the more sumptuous clothing and jewelry goes with those of higher class. But the typical clothing of farmers, laborers, and lower-class Indians is also colorful and elaborate in its own way. Rajasthan in northwestern India was chosen as the focus for this one-of-a-kind work because of its historical and cultural significance and the mix of different classes and ethnic groups found there. The Indian state's name is derived from Rajputs, or "sons of kings." Bhandari's meticulous text is so fascinating and endlessly informative that one is hardly conscious of the exhaustive scholarship and research going into it. Often noting measurements, techniques used by the clothing makers, how an article is worn, and what is signifies, the text nonetheless does not strike one as being technical since it deals with such a colorful subject. Readers will fall into a pattern of looking at the attractive, rich color photographs and occasional illustrations and diagrams as they come, and then going to the text to find what interesting facts and points the author has on the items the men and women are wearing. Many readers will try to put their growing knowledge to work to guess social status of the individuals shown and the meanings of their accouterments. The descriptive captions should not be glossed over either. The color photo of one man notes that his "sword denotes his royal lineage, the silk tie [around it] signifying that it is carried in peace." But one of the countless bits of social and cultural lore one learns is the significance of turbans in family relationships and relationships with others. A four-page glossary of hundreds of terms testifies to the complexity of Indian clothing. This is a remarkable work with its generous fund of knowledge, skilled organization, and magnetic appearance.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and enriching tour, July 3, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Costume, Textiles And Jewellery Of India: Traditions In Rajasthan is a wondrously informative exploration of traditional Indian attire. Lavishly illustrated with full color photographs on every page, Costume, Textiles And Jewellery Of India reveals how Indian attire proclaims one's place of origin, social position, marital status, occupation, religious affiliations, and even reflections on the changing seasons as well as other psychological aspects of day-to-day life. Information drawn from fifteen years of dedicated research is transformed into a highly accessible and wondrous tour of the physical, historical, trade, cultural and spiritual factors inherent in Indian textiles. A beautiful and enriching tour as eye-catching for lay readers as it is for serious-minded garment designers understanding and inspiration in India's ancient traditions.