The Bridge to God – Shubha Mudgal
A note about the sublime experience of superlative performances of Indian Classical Music at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2016, Goa curated by Shubha Mudgal
Wood Art
Over the years in Singapore with its old world charm inherited from Chinese ancestors, I’ve seen wood artworks made out of a variety of woods: Huang Huali, Rosewood, Cherry Wood, … Continue reading
Museum Walk – Lacquered Papier Mache Art
Just a few photos of one more form of art – lacquered papier-mache objects. Manuscript covers and pen cases are the most common items in this type of art. … Continue reading
Textiles in the Chaurapanchsika Love Poem of the 16th Century
Chaurapanchasika is a love-lament poem from the 16th century (some say earlier). [Chaurapanchasika is a set of 50 verses written by a Kashmiri Pandit Bilhana in the 11th century. It … Continue reading
Perspective makes all the Difference
Looking at things from the OTHER side makes alllll the difference!!
Making Kajal
In the olden days in West & North India everyone – men women, children AND infants had their eyes anointed with Kajal or Kohl or Meysh. The closest equivalent word … Continue reading
Art in A Phulkari Temple Hanging
A Temple Hanging from Punjab with its unique motifs makes it an intriguing subject to explore!
Art of the Universe – Yao Shaman Robes
Yao painting scrolls, Yao dragon bridges and now Yao Shaman robes! The Yao group has created several forms of art while pursuing their spiritual goals! Led by priests called Shamans, … Continue reading
Mother of Pearl Inlay – Art in Wood
Exploring the art of carving out pictures in wood and then filling them with the beautiful contrasting mother-of-pearl bits cut to size. Precision is absolutely essential in the craft! The art allows us glimpses into the cultural ethos of the time it was made. Natural beautyf, music and the arts seem to be of great importance!
Book Recommendation – Yao Culture & Art
“How to make the Universe Right” The book goes into the spiritual practices of the Yao people. The deep reliance on the supporting art used makes the book very … Continue reading
Wood Art from Ancient China
An attempted burglary resulted in a forced movement of our furniture. These pieces had been tucked away in a place that I visited with high frequency but low attention-depth. Every … Continue reading
Hybrid Art 2 – A Paithani weave from Benaras
A lot of people frown upon hybrids ….. I have no view on the subject. If evolutionary forces caused this to occur then so be it …. I am no … Continue reading
Talk: “Wedding Embroideries of Kutch”
A presentation of the Talk held at the Textile Museum Washington D.C. in June 2016.
Daily Art Fix – Pathan Embroidery
A Pathan tablecloth with motifs that are seen even in the forehead-tattoos of Pathani women. ❤️ jm Sept 2016
Palace on the Ganga – Art in Architecture
Just pictures of a lovely place that has the atmosphere of serenity and quietude. The opulence is in the atmosphere created – rather than in its fixtures. … Continue reading
Cultural Fusion & Hybrid Art – 1
In the olden days textile-art hybrids came about when a woman married into another group and brought with her art-memes from her parental culture. Today the world has shrunk and … Continue reading
The Art of Garlanding Flowers
Garlands are used at a range of events in India – to honor politicians, to mark birthdays, in the wedding ceremony and in funeral ceremonies. Flowers that are beautiful on … Continue reading
Handlooms of India
The title of this note is misleading as it is too broad – it is like saying ‘the universe’… I am sure that even if I were to toil 10 … Continue reading
Diversity in Folk Art – Bone Carvings
Exploring one more medium of folk art – Bones!
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
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
