Homage to Subarnalata
Subarnalata lived a long time ago. Mainly in the imagination of the author – but nevertheless, she did live. Her life was probably borrowed from the author Ashapurna Debi’s own … Continue reading
The Tragedy of Uprooted Art
There are all forms of art in the world. Some portable and transferable and others that were meant to remain where they were created. At a recent visit to a … Continue reading
Parsis and the Opium Trade
Yesterday at a condolence visit, the conversation with my top mentors, inadvertently veered into the subject of collectibles and we spoke of many random subjects such as his encounter with … Continue reading
The Mashru Loom
My knowledge of weaving techniques is minimal – so I might be wrong in thinking that the Masru or Mashru loom is a complicated one. But the few looms that … Continue reading
Memories of a Sublime Experience – Balinese Art
Memories of a sublime art experience in Bali
Rise of the Phoenix – Antique Silk Batik Shawl – Available for Sale
Or is it an enormous bee? This style of hand drawn batik (on silk) was created in Java for the Balinese market. This piece is in such a lovely condition … Continue reading
External Link: Bali’s Island of the Dead
A note about the unique ritual in Bali. Extrenal Link
Learning History through Art – Conquest of Kanchi & a Glass of Milk
In this painting from Odisha, Jagannath & Balabhadra are on a journey and are offered a drink of milk by milkmaid Manika. The History and Her Story: One of the … Continue reading
Woven Leaves of Bali
In the touristy journeys from one part of Bali to another, the one art that jumps at the traveler, whether or not one is looking, is the art of basketry. … Continue reading
The Land of the Sufi
Istanbul – almost exactly a year ago, I spent almost every evening eating at a small place near Topkapi palace. It was an open air restaurant with a basic menu … Continue reading
Warding Off Evil – Enigmatic Dayak Baby Carrier
One more stunning work of art created for the purpose of warding off evil and deflecting the evil eye! A Dayak Baby carrier with sveeral spirit motifs, a variety of … Continue reading
Art in service of Culture – A Sindoor Box
As I say in my lectures – traditional art in Asia is rarely ever “art for art’s sake” and almost always has a second layer hidden beneath. It is either … Continue reading
Exotic Art from an Exotic Era
We all read the newspapers even today. But in the past 4-5 years, newspapers have been replaced by the internet as my main source of news. By the time I … Continue reading
