Beauties Who Have Not Seen Own Faces

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 350, 3 February 1937, Page 2

Beauties Who Have Not Seen Own Faces

The modern Indian woman rules the roost—man defers to her and daren’t do anything without consulting her. This is what Mrs Marguerite Milward, who has penetrated India’s tribes and customs while sculpting, has to say about the “impenetrable” purdah system.

“Don’t believe tales about the slavery of purdah,” she told a daily sketch (London) reporter. “Women are in purdah because they like it. They have no responsibility—and plenty of time to enjoy themselves. ’’

Indian beauties whose faces have hitherto been seen only by husbands and wonjen relatives are among models sculpted by Mrs Milward, whose exhibition of ancient tribes was on view at India House.

Her Chenchu models, groom their wild, long hair with their fingers; they have never heard of combs. They have never seen their own faces; mirrors are unknown. Mrs Milward found criminal tribes, some descendants of the murderous Thugs, segregated in wire surrounded villages.