7 episodes
Textile Tales of india by Pritha Podone
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- Society & Culture
India has a rich and diverse tapestry of textile traditions that tell captivating tales of culture, history, and craftsmanship. Each thread, each motif, and each color in Indian textiles unravels a story of tradition, skill, and the enduring spirit of creativity. These textile tales not only adorn the people but also connect them to a rich cultural heritage that spans centuries.
The host of this podcast, Pritha is an Instagram content creator focusing on the history and heritage of Indian textiles. She studies the subject from resources at the Victoria and Albert Museum Academy, National Art Library, and the British Library in London. She has been on several handloom and handicrafts trails across India, meeting artisans and documenting their crafts. Pritha grew up in Kolkata and now works as a gynecologist in London.
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Ep7: Indian men’s fashion from colonial times Ft The Common Man
Part 3 of the history of men’s fashion in India focusing on modern times. How did British influence affect the way Indian men dressed?
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Ep6: Indian men’s fashion in medieval times Ft Mughal-e-Azam
Part 2 of the history of men’s fashion in India focusing on medieval India. How did Islamic rule influence clothing of Indian men?
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Ep5: Indian men’s fashion in ancient times Ft Ashoka the Great
Part 1 of the history of men’s fashion in India focusing on ancient times. How did early Indians dress?
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Ep4: Sherwani, the origin story
This is the origin story of one of the most loved men’s garments of India, the Sherwani. Contrary to popular belief, it was neither a Rajput, nor Mughal clothing, but a 19th century fashion invention! In this episode textile historian Dr Toolika Gupta takes us through the history of the Sherwani.
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Ep3: Chintz, the Indian textile banned in Britain!
Once a firm favourite of European elites, the handcrafted Indian chintz is a textile of legendary repute. Constant protests from British weavers eventually prompted the British parliament to ban its import. But, it could not make it disappear. What followed next? And how did it decline?
Senior textile historian Dr Sarah Fee, senior curator of Royal Ontario Museum joins me, as I discover why chintz is regarded as the cloth that changed the world. -
Ep2: Chintz Ft. Tipu’s Tent
What connects Mysore and a small countryside town in Wales? This episode begins with the lesser known story of Tipu Sultan’s tent, and moves to the trade route of chintz. Chintz industry financially benefited some Indians too, the evidence of which still remains in certain parts of South India. Who were they? And how is Chintz related to the modern Kalamkari? Join me and award-winning Kalamkari artist Srinivas Pitchuka, to find the answers.