Welcome to The Art Blog
“The purpose of art is washing off the dust of daily life off our souls” – Pablo Picasso
Presenting 1000+ notes on the folk arts of Asia alongside the cultural stories contained within.
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~ Jaina Mishra
Costumes of Tibet
A few decades ago, thousands of Tibetans moved to Himachal Pradesh, India and settled down there along with the Dalai Lama. Dharamshala and the surrounding areas have since assumed a … Continue reading
Song of a Bhopa
On a recent trip to a small town in Himachal Pradesh I came across this little family far way from their home. The Ravanhatta musical instrument is a signature of … Continue reading
Wayang Batik – Hindu Influences in the Art of Indonesia
Isn’t that Lord Ganesh bowing? (the elephant’s trunk is the clue…) Lord Ganesha in Asset 1749 This is a scene from a large Wayang Batik textile from Cirebon Indonesia. Surprised … Continue reading
Nothing Left to Lose
“Nothing left to lose” is a sad statement … it is not a position to be envied – because surely each life must have at least one thing, one relationship, … Continue reading
Addicted to the Movement
Or I could say addicted to the skies. My sweet mentor Mrs. Wagle once told me of a failed project. She had seen the balloon sellers who set out out … Continue reading
Art of Egypt
A few gems of art seen in Egypt. From various periods and various styles…a delight for my eyes. ** jaina mishra July 2023 wovensouls.com
Costumes from Egypt
Pictures from the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation depicting the dress of he women of the desert. I have great faith in the traditional wisdom that is passed down the … Continue reading
Learn Geometry through Antiques
So I got sent an “maybe you’ll like this” type of email from an auction house. It featured an old map. I knew that people collected old maps but knew … Continue reading
A Courtesan Scene in a Kantha Textile
A textile caught my attention for the unique scene it depicted…. Men, women, dancing, musicians… This is clearly set in a ‘Kotha’ in which courtesans and dancing girls welcomed noblemen … Continue reading
Student Monks at Norbulingka Monastery
Student Monks begin their learning of Buddhist scriptures at a young age. Sitting amongst them as they chant in an atmosphere of scent and vapors of yak butter lamps in … Continue reading
Folk Music Concert on the Street, Hanoi
Sharing some pictures of a lovely evening at a street concert outside a temple in Hanoi It did not matter that I stood or sat on a rock. All that … Continue reading
The Joys of Daily Life – in Silk
The scenes in a shawl made a hundred years ago show moments of pleasure and joy. And clearly these scenes give us joy even today. Smoking in the garden, holding … Continue reading
Portraits from Mizoram
A decade ago I witnessed the amazing culture of Mizoram at a festival and took some photos. Presenting some photos here once again: Chapchar Kut is the harvest festival celebrated … Continue reading
Indian Art – Paintings in The Kangra Museum
The first floor of the Kangra museum made the trip worthwhile. I am not a student of Indian fine art – so it was easy for me to enjoy these. … Continue reading
Embroideries in The Kangra Museum
Collectors of Indian textiles will already know of the double-sided Chamba Rumaals made in Himachal Pradesh. These usually have scenes from the Krishnayan – the life of Krishna. The art … Continue reading
Tibetan Weavings
A little video clip of street photos taken in Dharamshala. And a few warm moments spent with a welcoming elderly Tibetan woman. And in case the video is not visible … Continue reading
Caving in Vietnam
In one life we can’t do it all. And so I could not do caving. But I certainly did wish to once, like a child that wants it all in … Continue reading
Meeting Moorcroft / Soulons & Worldlines
Can we actually meet people who lived and died decades before us? Being born a Hindu – I could use the idea of ‘atma’ and soul to support the answer … Continue reading
Textiles & more – A Walk in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
This museum needs at least a day to even just see all the exhibits. If you’d like to understand the details … then at least 2 days. In this note … Continue reading
Art in the Temples of Ninh Binh
A long drive out of Hanoi. A ride in a little row boat. Stopping and seeing temples hidden away in the wilderness. Temples that could have been reached by the … Continue reading
Indonesian Glass Paintings – Museum of Ethnology collection
Presenting here a new form of art that I had not been exposed earlier: Indonesian Glass Paintings. The subjects are always Indonesian folk stories and legends or a narrative of … Continue reading
