Parsi Lady in Mumbai Painting

Parsi Lady in Mumbai Painting

Indian Sari

This painting titled orginally as above , depicts a women from the Parsi community living the the city of Mumbai. The painting shows a typical Parsi lady wearing a Parsi Gara style sari. This is evidented by the drape across the left shoulder with part of the fabric going around the head to cover it and the top being worn is the Prasi style choli which was influenced by the British exposure as seen through the long sleeves, frill white texture, and with complete length covering the entire body, head to toe. The special part of this sari is of the line of embroidery towards the side which became a signifier for those women. The Gara Sari is named after its base material ,made from a special silk once imported from China called Gaaj but would later be woven and made closer to home for the Parsis' extensive use and requirement of the material.

M.V.Dhurandhar

Women of India by Otto Rothfeld

Project Gutenberg

1920

Painting