Taj Mahal
Around 1900, foreign perceptions popularised the Taj Mahal as an Indian symbol to such a degree that it was renamed the Taj. Soon, numerous presses flooded the markets with various depictions of the monument, turning it into popular souvenirs. Postcards showed the Taj in a diverse range of colours and styles, capturing the imagination of artists and image makers over many years. Rabindranath Tagore's description of the Taj as "a teardrop on the cheek of time" acknowledges India's cultural richness overshadowed by colonisation, representing the weight of history. How do you think the perception of the Taj has evolved over the years?
Nautch Girls
Nautch girls, or dancers, derived their name from the Hindi or Urdu word 'naatch', meaning dance. Erasing cultural contexts and establishing misunderstandings, the term 'nautch' was introduced by colonial authorities and was variously also used to describe musicians, singers, performers, writers and storytellers. Featuring often in postcards, these subjects were considered amoral; a threat to civilised society. The conversation between a father and child sheds light on how 'Nautch Parties' were perceived, with the tabla being reduced to an “Indian drum” and the singing linked to a Trojan car with no oil.
Toddy Series
When we visit iconic destinations, we often use social media to identify them. Through postcards, the toddy man became a specific figure associated with South India. Serving as a way to represent and exoticise India, toddy men catered to what the British enjoyed a great deal – alcohol! Second to gin-and-tonics and camparis, toddy became a central part of their experiences in India.
From Eloise to Jeanne
While postcards may have adapted to growing political propaganda, in their original form, they were always meant for personal communication. Here, Eloise, the wife of a Company Servant, writes to her aunt abroad about her new home and life in Calcutta.
From a Son to his Father
Oftentimes, people in history are reduced to facts and statistics, while the realities of children's lives remain untold. Postcards allow us to challenge that perception. These visuals are inherently sweet, capturing moments of innocence, familial warmth and friendship. They also serve as a reminder that postcards were not exclusive to adults, as evidenced in the message written by a child to their father, who was perhaps working abroad. Do these images evoke any emotions or memories for you?
Dancers have long played an important role in the arts, often having to contend with the systems of patriarchy and power. Find out more about their depictions in a Museums Without Borders episode, in collaboration with the Toledo Museum of Art.
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