A Fabulous Walk in Ladakh, 1982 – Guest Photos
I’ve always felt that I am one of the extremely fortunate ones on earth defying the odds of an average or even sub-average life. For, how else can one explain … Continue reading
Ganga Snaan & Cleansing the Soul
In my opinion, the philosophy held within religions offer very useful supports to manage one’s own mind. Mind control of one’s own mind. And when one is on a downward … Continue reading
Pollution in the Ganga
They say the Ganga is polluted. Yes. After days of sitting on her banks with my feet in the water I can confirm that. Here are pictures of the pollution: … Continue reading
Ganga Arti, Haridwar
The city wakes up to attend this pre-dawn arti, in which the Ganga is worshipped with lamps and flowers. The devout take a bath in the chilled waters of the … Continue reading
Chance Encounters / Haridwar
Just walking around absorbing the culture of Haridwar and I get to witness some important ceremony by Radha worshippers: p.s. the music is original – a little live band led … Continue reading
Heritage – Genealogical Records in Haridwar
I’d heard about the family-historians or Pandits in Haridwar many years ago. Their sole work in life is to maintain records of families and they have been doing this as … Continue reading
Honor Rituals & Red Phulkaris – A Hypothesis
“Use of Phulkaris in Wedding Rituals – Social Practices in Punjab pre-1947” is a report based on an independent exploratory study that focuses on the use of Red & White … Continue reading
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
