Fruit Seller
Note the rich character on this man's face in an image by M.V. Dhurandhar, one of India's most exceptional and prolific early 20th century painters and postcard artists.
Sent to Master E.
People
Madras Merchant, Colombo
An unusual postcard in the use of so much black, which beautifully brings out the portrait of this man, his beard and clothing (black was expensive for printers due to the amount of ink consumed). Due to better economic prospects in Sri Lanka, during
A Tamil Girl, Ceylon
One of my favourite postcards by the great Colombo publisher Plate & Co., simply because the girl's stare or startled expression is so memorable. Although I used the color version in the book, this seems just as gripping. What is she looking at?
Ma-Hla-Byn (Miss Pretty and Fair)
Burmese women were a common postcard subject for firms like Tucks and D.A. Ahuja, the caption dripping stereotype and prejudice.
[Original caption] Ma-Hla-Byn (Miss Pretty and Fair). Although the Burmese women may not coincide with the Western idea
Tamil Theatrical Company, Ceylon
This remarkable postcard shows Shankardas Swamigal's Tamil drama group on a visit to Ceylon [Sri Lanka] in 1890, although the postcard is from about 15 years later.
A Group of Lambanis
[Original caption] These folk are gypsies inhabiting the great Deccan of India. Their dress is decorated with shells, their arms are generally adorned with a large number of bracelets made of the bones of deer. [end]
The Banjara people, also
A Houseboat at Baramulla, Kashmir
Houseboats were apparently popular among foreigners because the Maharajah usually did not allow foreigners to construct their own residences.
Hindu Jugglers
Although the origin of the word juggler as "one skilled in keeping several objects in motion in the air at the same time by alternately tossing and catching them" goes back to the 14th century and seems to stem from the Middle English "jogelour
Abdul Rehiman Street, Bombay
[Original caption] Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay. This is one of the busiest spots in the city of Bombay and also one of the principal native streets. [end]
Note the building under construction on the right.
Toddy Drawers
Toddy or palm wine as made from sap collected by climbers like this one in little pouches; fermentation was so fast in the humid air that a mildly alcoholic drink could be had in a few hours.
