Hybrid Art – 4 – Phulkari Shawl
667 Amazing Sar Pallu on a navy blue Nilak base cloth. The impact of the gold & magenta against the deep blue base is amazing! But the remarkable aspect of this … Continue reading
External Article: Victorian Paper Cutters
An interesting note on Victorian paper cutters. One of these made me gasp – there seems to be no limit to human imagination seeing the odd things people used to … Continue reading
Ceremonial Tibetan Dance at Dring Ri
A small video clip of a ritual dance at Dring Ri near Shigatse in Tibet. Note the headdress of the women: A similar old headdress with coral, turquoise unusual … Continue reading
What is this Figurative Weft Ikat?
Any idea? Nearly 5 metres long this textile has motifs of boats, people, animals and unrecognisable creatures. Acquired from a late Canadian collector who acquired it from the Indonesian archipelago … Continue reading
Astitva Project Report – Aug 2019
A little success. A little failure. Success because most of the participants achieved their goals. But what hurt was the fact that a small group did not achieve them completely. … Continue reading
Chai
Chai Am talking of the good Indian boiled Chai – with the milk & sugar and water & tea leaves all boiled together for a long time. [Not to be … Continue reading
Spinning Yarn
Seen in the Himalayas….an activity, a skill, a lifestyle …. People STILL live in this charming way! All through our afternoon conversation in which our minds and voices engaged, their … Continue reading
A Himalayan Monk’s Mask for Royal Rituals
The masked dances of Himalayan Buddhist monks are fascinating and since 2011, I’ve watched them on four different occasions in various monasteries (Kalimpong, Matho, Stok, Jokhang-Leh ). The Chamms … Continue reading
Lion of Punjab – Sher-e-Punjab
Punjab – the land that has been facing invasions for centuries – values bravery and courage. And the lion offers an excellent metaphor for these values. Maharana Ranjit Singh was … Continue reading
All Creatures Great & Small
The writings of explorer-authors form a bridge between our urban world and the world of nomads and other rural communities who live by different life models. Reading about those … Continue reading
The Life of an Old Thangka
Thangkas that were once in active use for worship hung in high places inside monasteries. They are exposed to butter-lamp vapors over decades.The inside of a monastery is filled with … Continue reading
The Camel Caravan is Ready to Move
The caravan is rising again. Awakening from its slumber – getting together its material resources and reigning in all the spiritual energies. Another journey ahead. What preparations remain before we … Continue reading
Old World Charm – Awadh Perfume Purse
Experiencing the romance of the old world of Awadh, India through a silver ornament no longer in use.
No Shoes Indoors
The origins of this gently-but-strictly enforced rule in all traditional Asian homes might be many. But I think the real reason is the art that is displayed on the floor…. … Continue reading
A Note on Phulkari Classification
A compilation of my jottings on Phulkaris Textiles of Punjab
One Old Lady meets Another
The paint has worn out. And there are plenty of nicks on the woodwork, each telling an unforgetable tale. Layers of old paint shed – layers of fresh paint applied … Continue reading
Long Live the Spirit of Mumbai!
Pydhonie, Mumbai, April 16, 2019. It is in the midst of the wholesale markets for everything. It is in this area that Dhirubhai Ambani began as a yarn trader. Millions … Continue reading
Memories of Nagaland
The wealth of one’s life is the memories we collect – for only these can travel with us everywhere and be summoned at a moment’s notice to light up our … Continue reading
Tears in Heaven
We never love quite as much as at the time of saying goodbye…. I loved this piece – I loved the artist who lived a hundred years ago – I … Continue reading
Art Connoiseurs – Have you registered yet?
On WOVENSOULS.com – the little gallery of antique art, we welcome art lovers of tribal and ethnic Asian art to sign up here. Twice or thrice a year I send … Continue reading
Textile Study Tour of Punjab
Preface on the minor notes about the textile study tour, Punjab, 2019
