Costumes of the Rulers of Mewar (With Patterns and Construction Techniques)

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Historical background of the rulers of Mewar. 3. Important festivals celebrated by the rulers of Mewar. 4. Costumes evolved after the synthesis of the two cultures. 5. Methodology adopted for research. 6. Modes of textile designing: tie-dye textiles. 7. Modes of textile designing: printing. 8. Modes of textile designing: waraq printing. 9. Modes of textile designing: gold and silver embroidery. 10. Head dress of the rulers of Mewar. 11. Upper garments of the rulers of Mewar. 12. Lower garments of the rulers of Mewar. 13. Jewellery and footwear of the rulers of Mewar. 14. An overview. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.

"History of costume is engaged in an adventure of vast absorbing dimensions. For the first time a dedicated unique collection of exquisite and profusely elaborated costumes of rulers of Mewar has been prepared. The author has made a conscientious effort to present a guideline for the construction of garments, textiles used, jewellery and footwear worn with the costumes. The coloured photographs and diagrams explain all the time-honoured traditions of the past and present. The book will be immensely useful to apparel designers, merchants, theatre people, students, historians, artists as well as to the fashion houses in Europe and America which are always in search of exotic styles of dresses for their clients." (jacket)

From the preface: "According to James Tod (Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan), even a lowly Rajput prince had a grand carriage. The colourful costume resplendent with jewels and gold embroidery contributed in no small way to courtly splendour of a Rajput prince. This book is the outcome of a research study undertaken for doctoral thesis. The study has revealed that the traditional tie-dye fabrics are given the same importance today as was given a few centuries ago. Turbans, waistbands, upper garments and some other items of wearing apparels were made of a variety of tie-dye fabrics like dot tie-dye, stripes and plaids. Fabrics used for various dress items were decorated by block printing and were also adorned by means of gold and silver embroidery. Different styles were used for coiling the pagdi (headwear). Upper garments were variously constructed. Ornaments studded with precious stones were used on the head, ears, arms, waist and ankles.

"The book is profusely illustrated with colour plates depicting, among other things, portraits of the legendary rulers of Mewar through the centuries till the middle of the twentieth century when the princes merged themselves with the mainstream of the democratic polity of independent India."