Costume: Fanciful, Historical and TheatricalAria, Mrs. (Eliza Davis)
History
Costume: Fanciful, Historical and Theatrical
Aria, Mrs. (Eliza Davis)
Costume -- History
Under the British Raj, India retains her picturesque variety of costume,
and remains the one land faithful to the traditions of the turban. Hardly
less splendid than in the gorgeous days of the Mogul Empire is the dress
of a modern prince of the caste of Rajput. A small red turban is wound
tightly about the head, one short gold-bedizened end falling behind.
The big ear-rings are crescent-shaped, and the necklace is composed
of several rows of pearls. A white robe falls to the ankles, and is
surmounted by a shorter yellow jacket embroidered in colours and held
together at the waist by a sash of peacock blue satin, the gold fringed
ends falling unevenly in front. The tight sleeves terminate at the elbow,
where they are supplemented by white ones, which extend to the wrist.
Scarlet and white are the favourite contrast, and the effect is to make
the crowded bazaars brilliant and attractive to the eye.
A costume characteristic of a Pathan, a Musulman by religion, consists
of a white turban of voluminous proportions wound in such a manner as
to form a wide brim. The tight trousers are clearly visible through a
flowing robe of figured white cotton, which reaches nearly to the ground,
and, crossing over at the breast, is kept in place by a striped shawl
folded about the waist, the picture being completed by velvet slippers
turned up at the toes. The coolies are generally naked except for a
loin-cloth and turban, but some wear a white cotton shirt, short-sleeved
and held by a folded belt in some bright shade.
Brahmins are distinguished by the sacred cord, in reality a twisted rope
of cotton, which hangs from the left shoulder to the middle of the thigh.
A typical costume is evolved from a long, straight piece of material
wound round the body from the waist downwards, and drawn between the legs
to form a trouser-like division. A shawl, draped about the upper portion
of the figure, is manipulated in such a way as to cross on the left
shoulder, one end hanging in front and the other behind. A shako-shaped
turban and a chaplet of beads put the finishing touches, while on the
forehead, breast, and bare arms the mark of the sect is painted with
white powder.
From the age of seven, Parsees of both sexes don the sadra or sacred
surplice emblematic of the coat of mail worn in ancient times by the
Guebers to ward off the attacks of Ahriman, spirit of evil. The dress of
the men comprises light, baggy trousers, white stockings, flat-heeled
slippers, a tight black coat, usually of alpaca, buttoned down the front,
and a high sugar-loaf hat of shiny black.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account