The Scent of a Textile
It is easy to be struck by the beauty of the Textile visually. But sometimes the stimulation extends to realms beyond the visual. Today I received an antique shawl from … Continue reading
18th Century Carpet Weights – Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur
An accessory for an accessory! Even though I collected carpets for a few years – I had never come across this category of objects in any books or in any … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – The Glass Collection
“By the turn of the 19th century, the Indian Maharajahs were fascinated by the luxuries of the West. Among their favorite luxury items was the glassware. During their travels in Europe, … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Museum – The Clock Collection
I have heard of strange collections – a collection of railway engines and a collection hangman’s nooses! But most collectors however focus on simpler objects – like coins and clocks. … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – Paintings
Paintings are all two-dimensional and we view them in the plane that is perpendicular to the plane in which both our eyes lie. So if a painting is mounted on … Continue reading
Introducing The Swat & Kohistan Textiles Collection on Wovensouls.com
Introducing a small collection of textiles from a culture that is literally being extinguished by war. The silk embroidery of these textiles is as fine and delicate as their living … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – Jodhpur
When performance does not match expectation it results in disappointment. Years I had heard about this palace & museum and wanted to see it since then. We were all … Continue reading
Holi Again!
It’s the full moon night of Spring. And people are excited about the Dhuleti ir color festival that follows the night of Holi. A few pictures if the Holi Bonfire … Continue reading
Article in PASSAGE – Magazine of Asian Civilisations Museum Singapore
My article in Passage, the magazine of the Friends of the Museum, ACM, Singapore: jm May 2014
Rural India Beckons!
Wanderlust strikes again! The unparalleled beauty of rural India is beginning to call out to me again…. The simplicity, the warmth, the genuineness, people living as one with the earth, … Continue reading
The Craft of the Kalamkari of South India
Kalamkari – literally meaning ‘pen craft’ [ Kalam = pen in Urdu] involving painting and printing on cloth with natural dyes. Styles of Kalamkari Art The art is an ancient … Continue reading
‘Vanishing Cultures’ Exhibition Opens
A few minutes before the exhibition opens: The things in this room – the textiles & the photographs, the stories behind their acquisition, the people in the photos & the … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Veiled Rebecca Marble
The piece that brought fame to the Salar Jung Museum Collection “Veiled Rebecca” – marble sculpture by Benzoni. The art lies in the way the artist has captured the fragility … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – Indian Miniature Painting Collection
The best places to train the eye in any category of art or antiques, are museums and reputed dealers. In a single location a diverse set is viewable. In most … Continue reading
Media Coverage for the exhibition “Vanishing Cultures” | The Straits Times, Singapore
Monday, March 3, 2014 jm
Salar Jung Museum – The Mughal Glass Collection
Mughal Glass constitutes a very prominent landmark in the history of glass in India. Under the reign of Akbar glass factories flourished but the best examples of Mughal glass were … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Ivory Collection
The pictures say it all!! The museum boasts of a collection of unimaginable ivory items such as a coach, coffee tables & chairs, and window panes! Other functional items such … Continue reading
Salar Jung Museum – The Walking Stick Collection
Salar Jung-III must have been an interesting man. For, a collection as diverse and as interesting as this, requires before all else, the keen eye of the beholder to see … Continue reading
The day I almost missed a Flight – Textiles of the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
In the late 80s I had heard about the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad and the things I heard evoked a desire to visit. Life came in the way between … Continue reading
