By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
There is no denying the fact that bikini or things similar were in vogue as back as in early 1930s,the ‘bikini’, the subject of this write up, has had its official origin on 5 July 1946 .It came into existence due to rationing of material after the second World War II, introduced by a French named Louis Reard to be adorned by Micheline Bernardini.
Some relate the ‘explosive’ device bikini to Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean where nuclear tests were done by the United States in 1946 until 1958.
Ursula Andress, the celebrated American actress was one of the firsts to don a bikini in Dr. No (1962) starring Sean Connery. The highlight scene of the film is when saucy nay voluptuously endowed Ursula Andress walks towards James Bond in a two-piece-bikini swaying her hips with a knife stuck into her back on a secluded beach .It turned out to be blockbuster, collecting $59 millions against production cost of $1.1 million. The swimsuit worn by her is likely to fetch between $300,000 to $ 500,000 in auction.
“The Croisette”, Cannes’ seaside promenade is admittedly one of the world’s most stunning avenues. The city proudly claims that it invented the stunning brief feminine beachwear-the Bikini. This eye-boggling sexy swimwear in myriads of shapes , colors and sizes overshadows everything around you-including the beautiful buxom blondes who virtually seem to flaunt their nudity in your face.
Bikini is a bold nay ‘explosive’ attire aimed at revealing more than concealing the sexual parts of a woman’s anatomy.
In India bikini was looked upon with disdain amounting to something unwarranted , unpleasant , unaccepted & against ethics. It continued to remain a taboo in Hindi films ,though Nargis Nutan & Vyjayanthimala did appear a swimsuits in films. The trend later changed in 1970s with Sharmila Dimple and other mod & relatively progressive actresses began wearing the tiny attire. Rani Mukherjee one of the known actresses in Bollywood never wore a bikini.
At Goa’s Ashvem , Baga & Calangute beach you can see hundreds of bikini clad women flaunting their marvels to the delight of the visitors both Indian and foreigners. In some Muslim countries like Maldives bikini is banned but most Indian starlets often go there for photoshoots done at secluded places. Bikini seems to be the choicest attire of most Fashion & Glamour models the world over as is seen during Fashion Shows including beauty Contests which include a Bikini or Swimsuit Round to suitably spice the contest.
