The Magnificent 11th Century Lamayuru Monastery – A photoessay
The Monastery Student Monks doing their laundry. And finally an invitation to lunch of Rajam & Rice with the student monks! Food for the Soul, Food for the … Continue reading
A Cup of Tea with the Lamaji of Lamayuru Monastery
Imagine a much revered 11th century Gompa (monastery). The drive to Lamayuru takes us through unusual & complex Himalayan landscapes. We arrive tired and saturated with all the beautiful views. … Continue reading
An Adventure on the mighty Indus River
The road to the Dard village wound along the Indus river. We saw several bridges along the way. And I was also shown a few hand pulled rope carriages that … Continue reading
Dances of the Dard Aryan People
The morning after we arrived, the village gathered together to arrange a small celebration. After several cups of butter tea and sweet tea with biscuits everyone helped each other to … Continue reading
Costume & Jewelry Culture of the Dard Aryan People, Himalayas
It seems to me that all Himalayan cultures have spectacular costumes! One that stands out as distinct and unique is the Dard ethnic group in NorthWest India. Spread over a … Continue reading
Living with a Dard Family
Sitting in a train in the city or a plane I often see people whose faces or expressions or language intrigue me. And I wonder what their lives must be … Continue reading
Aryan Diaries
My first trip to Ladakh in 2011 was an extravagant visual feast of culture. As a first-time viewer I was dazzled and overwhelmed so much that I could barely differentiate … Continue reading
Is it Silk? Is it Wool? An Antique Dowry Rug
A challenge: Identify the material of this antique Qashqai dowry rug using just the visuals below: Is this a silk? Or is it a wool? Do leave your guesses in … Continue reading
Rooband – The Tadjik Veil
What a fantastic word to describe the veil ROOH = Spirit or Soul BAND = Shut or closed For it is the the soul that must be captured, it is … Continue reading
Forthcoming Articles….
A poem* said ‘Time forever in debt of Plans’…. This is a phase of my life when I am complaining that about the shortage of time. Usually I complain that … Continue reading
Antique Dragon Textile from Laos
Finely woven Dragon textile from Laos. From the ‘South East Asia’ Textiles gallery of the Wovensouls Collection circa 1930 jm Oct 2013
The beauty of a Powerful Red Dragon
Of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac, the dragon is the most powerful animal associated with a given year in the cycle of 12 years. Children born in the … Continue reading
A Large Heirloom Ladakhi Skeypuk Necklace
Made primarily of the much valued coral and the turquoise that is very popular in the region, This Skyepuk has a large Ghau amulet box encrusted with turquoise. A very … Continue reading
A Gorgeous Tampan Ship Cloth from Sumatra
A textile full of soul! From the Kota Agung region, Sumatra. Pre 1900s. A rare design in Tampans featuring a colonial Dutch ship and the associated ancestral tree. Note the … Continue reading
ANTIQUE CEREMONIAL CLOTH FROM SUMATRA
An old ancestral textile – circa 1850 – 1900 – a Tatibin – has now joined he WOVENSOULS collection. Time to celebrate! jm Oct 2013
FANTASTIC BAWAN BAGH PHULKARI – A WEDDING TEXTILE
A Bagh (phulkari) textile with 52 motifs created by the family as a canopy for the bride. Created by reverse embroidery!! Precision AND creativity! Art AND craft!! All while working … Continue reading
CALANGUTE GOA – BEACH RESORT PROPERTY FOR LONG RENTAL
If you plan to live in Goa in the heart of Goa’s most happening beach town Calangute, for a long period – do have a look at the long-rental properties … Continue reading
