Himalayan Art – Crowns of the Buddhist Priests
A decade ago I witnessed the Losar ceremonies over 3 days in Lingdum monastery in Sikkim. Witnessing the head priest leading the group of monks and young novitiates through the … Continue reading
Camel Milk Tea
Camel milk is the staple food for camel herders. In the day milk and camel-milk-tea are the answers to hunger and thirst. And in the night a “ kheer” – … Continue reading
Fresh Milk for Tea
As fresh as it can be! From a small village in Rajasthan jm wovensouls.com
Baluch Beauty
Just pictures of a Baluchi beauty! Seen in a village market in Rajasthan . Nov 2021
An Interesting Anecdote….. Dowry
In a recent conversation with one of my rural friends, we were speaking about a tribe that lives mainly in the desert of Rajasthan. He told me of the unique … Continue reading
Note on Red Phulkaris / Use in Wedding Consummation Rituals
Immersive exposure and study of the 29 white-base phulkaris led to certain observations. Supplemented by readings of published material (Cooney (2019), Hershman (1981) and Ibbetson (1939)) led to the formation … Continue reading
Stay Tuned: Report on Cultural Use of Phulkaris coming soon….
Old books on the culture of Punjab surround me. Notes from the fieldwork done in 8 cities in Punjab surround me. 29 white & red Phulkaris surround me. And a … Continue reading
The “Goze” of Japan – Notes from Arm Chair Travel
“Well into the 20th century the Japan Se coast was the haunt of the Goze – the blind wandering musicians. They went from village to village in the old province … Continue reading
Use of Sungkit Textiles in Headhunting Ceremonies / Borneo / 1800s
This note is about the use of Textiles in extinct ceremonies & practices in the 1800s in Borneo. Please be aware and proceed to read only if the title appeals to you.
TALK: Use of Textiles in Headhunting Ceremonies / Borneo / 1800s
Invitation to the short, exploratory & photo-filled talk “The Use of Textiles in Headhunting Ceremonies / Borneo / 1800s”
An Iban Tunic In A Textile
Exploring the depiction of an Iban woman dressed in her traditional ornamented tunic on her shoulders
Monk’s Cham Dance / Ladakh
Just posting a video of a Cham Dance during Spituk Gustor held in winter. See more photographs of costumes of monks including Pattu Hats, Gyaser brocades and textiles in monasteries … Continue reading
Keeping the Butter Safe
This woven device is an Indhoni or a pot holder, hung up from the ceiling beams. The raison d’etre for such a hanging is to hold pots of milk / … Continue reading
Identity – The Red Cloth
In about half of India, this red cloth stands for a very specific interest. If you like this it a MUST-have and fans will go even 20 kilometers in super-dense … Continue reading
How Many Kilograms is your Head Jewelry?
Hers weighs about 13 kilograms. Yours? Enjoy more photos taken in 2011 in this small gallery of costumes of some groups of Ladakhis. *** jm Dec 24th 2020
Meet the Weavers / Northern Thailand
Meet the Weavers from Northern Thailand Hilltribes. See more here : https://wovensouls.com/products/portraits-long-neck-karen-tribe-northern-thailand ** jm wovensouls.com
Mahashivrati at The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Devout Hindus say that going to the Kashi Vishwanath temple happens when you are called. They say that it is one of the holiest places a Hindu could visit as … Continue reading
Rang Bhari Ekadashi & Holi at Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Banaras
Ready to throw Abeer on the Shiva-Parvati Gauna Procession just as they enter the temple. Happy Holi ….. Shots of Rangbhari Ekadashi – the Gauna of … Continue reading
The Musician
Indian Classical Music has a special style called the Banaras Gharana that originated in this magical place. And most students in the city learn Hindustani classical music in some form … Continue reading
Live and Learn – Kite Flying
A chance question to some of the staff at the hotel – led to this plan. We saw some kites in the skies and I asked whether the boys knew … Continue reading
Ganga Arti – Banaras Diaries
The consciousness in Banaras is focussed on two events – Sunrise – when it is time to do the Sunrise Arti, and Sunset – when it is time to do … Continue reading