The empire's new clothes
THE WEEK|September 12, 2021
Jasvinder Kaur chronicles the impact of the British Raj on the clothes of Punjab
MANDIRA NAYAR
The empire's new clothes

It is commonly said that clothes make the man or woman. But more than just appearance, clothes are also about stories. Stitching together the stories of trousers, saris, pagri, purses, embroidery and much more is Jasvinder Kaur’s Influences of the British Raj on the Attire and Textiles of Punjab—a book that brings alive fashion that once was.

Much has been written about the British and the influence that the Raj had on various aspects of life, but clothes do not find much mention. Kaur, however, has chosen to focus only on the outward appearance to weave together the empire’s impact on dress. From the embracing of coats, shoes, socks and trousers—the last to be adopted because it was not easy to sit on the ground in them— Kaur chronicles the change that swept through Indian life.

She focuses mainly on Punjab, where she grew up. A treasure trove of information, Kaur writes about lace, net and thick velvet, which, with gold embroidery, became much the rage in Punjab, both for men and women. From how parachute cloth—the result of material shortage during World War II—found its way to trousseaus in Punjab, to the advent of the sewing machine, Kaur uses cloth to document the history of Punjab. More than just her nuggets, though delicious and informative, there are the pictures of decadent fabrics, dashing men and gorgeous clothes.

Lace-making came from the Madras Presidency in the 19th century. In Punjab, it did not catch on much. The first issue of India’s Woman does, however, have a reference to Fatima from Amritsar who did “good lace” work.

Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin September 12, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin September 12, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE WEEK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
What Will It Take To Clean Up Delhi Air?
THE WEEK India

What Will It Take To Clean Up Delhi Air?

IT IS ASKED, year after year, why Delhi’s air remains unbreathable despite several interventions to reduce pollution.

time-read
5 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Trump and the crisis of liberalism
THE WEEK India

Trump and the crisis of liberalism

Although Donald Trump's election to a non-consecutive second term to the US presidency is not unprecedented—Grover Cleveland had done it in 1893—it is nevertheless a watershed moment.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Men eye the woman's purse
THE WEEK India

Men eye the woman's purse

A couple of months ago, I chanced upon a young 20-something man at my gym walking out with a women’s sling bag.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 08, 2024
When trees hold hands
THE WEEK India

When trees hold hands

A filmmaker explores the human-nature connect through the living root bridges

time-read
3 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Ms Gee & Gen Z
THE WEEK India

Ms Gee & Gen Z

The vibrant Anuja Chauhan and her daughter Nayantara on the generational gap in romance writing

time-read
5 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Vikram Seth-a suitable man
THE WEEK India

Vikram Seth-a suitable man

Our golden boy of literature was the star attraction at the recent Shillong Literary Festival in mysterious Meghalaya.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Superman bites the dust
THE WEEK India

Superman bites the dust

When my granddaughter Kim was about three, I often took her to play in a nearby park.

time-read
3 dak  |
December 08, 2024
OLD MAN AND THE SEA
THE WEEK India

OLD MAN AND THE SEA

Meet G. Govinda Menon, the 102-year-old engineer who had a key role in surveying the Vizhinjam coast in the 1940s, assessing its potential for an international port

time-read
4 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Managing volatility: smarter equity choices in uncertain markets
THE WEEK India

Managing volatility: smarter equity choices in uncertain markets

THE INDIAN STOCK MARKET has delivered a strong 11 per cent CAGR over the past decade, with positive returns for eight straight years.

time-read
3 dak  |
December 08, 2024
Investing in actively managed low-volatility portfolios keeps risks at bay
THE WEEK India

Investing in actively managed low-volatility portfolios keeps risks at bay

AFTER A ROARING bull market over the past year, equity markets in the recent months have gone into a correction mode as FIIs go on a selling spree. Volatility has risen and investment returns are hurt.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 08, 2024