A fashion revolution in 19th century Bengal

Jnanadanandini Devi (wife of Satyendranath Tagore the first member of the Indian Civil Service and elder brother of Rabindranath Tagore) adopted the Parsi style of wearing the saree and modified it as the Brahmika (pertaining to the Brahmo Samaj) style. Before this, women in Bengal draped the saree around without any blouse and petticoat. Any stitched garment was forbidden for women. In fact, it was considered uncivil and too modern to wear a blouse. Jnadanandini introduced the modern way of wearing the saree with blouse or chemise, petticoat, shoes and socks in 1871. She publicised it in the magazine Bamabodhini Patrika. This created a fashion revolution in late nineteenth century Bengal among the upper and middle class educated families.

Standing from left: Jnanadanandini Devi, Satyendranath Tagore, Kadambari Devi. Seated:Jyotirindranath Tagore (Kadambari Devi's husband and Rabindranath's elder brother)