The fashion editor Diana Vreeland once said, ‘Pink is the navy blue of India’ and in Rajasthan I certainly saw why she would say that. Everywhere we went the women were dressed in the most gorgeous shades of that colour.
At home in the UK, pink is sometimes dismissed as a girly colour, a bit weak, even submissive. But the rich shades of the saris worn by these women at Amber Fort (above) belie that. Among all the wonderful colours that I remember from our time in Rajasthan, it is pink – a shocking pink – that stands out.
I hope this collection of images, shared for Terri’s Sunday Stills colour challenge, will show you just why I loved the vivid pinks of Rajasthan so much.
For more Rajasthani pinks, have a look at my post about the people of Narlai village. And for more of my posts about Rajasthan, including Ranakpur, check my archive here.
I visited Rajasthan in 2015
30 Comments
rakshamitruka
Actually India is the country of colors and I am from rajasthan red along with pink color is very famous here. Your post is awesome. I am literally shocked if this amazed you this much then what will happen when you look whole rajasthan or see festival of colors called’holi” .If you have time please have a look at my post https://rakshasblogin.wordpress.com/
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, I know (and acknowledged in this post) that Rajasthan has many wonderful colours – that’s one of the aspects of the state that I really loved. But the theme of this colour challenge was pink, so that’s what I focused on. I’m sure one day I’ll write about the other colours that struck me there – indeed I have already done so in several posts about our visit 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
rkrontheroad
So vibrant, loved the women draped in their textiles.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – I love those textiles too, they brighten every scene!
Kirstin
Those are gorgeous photos Wow.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Kirstin 😊
Teresa
WOW this is so colourful…love it so much!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa, so glad you enjoyed this 😀
Forestwood
Marvellous Pink hues, even worn by the men. That is awesome! It goes so well to brighten up life. Stunning personal portrait photography!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Amanda 🙂 Although I can’t take any credit for great portraiture – these are all candid shots taken with my zoom lens!
Tanja
lots of pink!
Sarah Wilkie
Indeed 🙂 💗
thehungrytravellers.blog
Such a striking colour, India is such a vibrant country, we just love how those beautiful ladies dress, the whole country is such a blaze of colour
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, absolutely – it’s one of my favourite things about India, the vibrant colours are incredible. Even in the simplest villages and out in the fields, the women’s clothes are so striking 🙂
thehungrytravellers.blog
One day when this pandemic is over we want to spend a considerable time in India. People either love or hate it, we absolutely love it!😁
Sarah Wilkie
I’m in the love it camp for sure – I really want to get back there some day!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
As a non-pink person, these are shades I can embrace. Your photos are exquisite, as usual.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I don’t much like ‘pretty’ pink but I love deep vibrant shades. Thank you so much for the kind words about the photos 😊
Susanne Swanson
Wow, I love those pinks! They certainly light up their surroundings! 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Susanne, I’m glad you like them 🙂
maristravels
Glorious. Gorgeous pinks!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Maris 😀
Tracey
That’s the best kind of pink, beautifully captured!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Tracey, I love these shades too – much better than pastels (except in roses perhaps!)
Agata 40thousandkm
Beautiful photos! I’ve just seen a movie about a skater girl (“Skater girl”) in Rajasthan. Many shades of pink were present 💟
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Agata 🙂 I’ll have to look out for that film – did you enjoy it?
Terri Webster Schrandt
Of course you photos are exquisite, Sarah! I actually love that dark pink. My mom had a pink leather chair in the same shade as I alluded to in my post…it was the 60s (now know as mid-century modern)…no more pink chairs! I wonder if this pink was chosen in Rajasthan for a reason since it seems to be everywhere? Anyhoo, I would buy a blouse or kimono in this color, who cares if it might clash with my hair, LOL!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank so much Terri 😊 I love these deep pinks too, although I’m not a fan of pastel pink. I actually have a pink cotton shirt I bought in Kerala a couple of years after these photos were taken!
As in some other countries there seems to be a tendency for women here to all wear similar colours as others in their town or village. So in some of those we visited the predominant shades were orange and yellow, or red and green, but in the majority it was pink, purple and reds. I don’t know if there’s a specific reason behind this or if it’s just something that’s gradually evolved. Maybe it’s linked to what natural dyes were readily available in a region? And maybe I should do more research?!
wetanddustyroads
Beautiful! I love the pink saris (very much) and the pink flowers are also pretty … but don’t you think that shop is maybe a tad too pink 😉.
Lovely photo’s Sarah x
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, yes. maybe it’s a little too pink 🤣 But actually I do love the colour and maybe when he has the furniture inside, and shelves stacked with goods, it won’t be so overpoweringly pink?!