Dhunuchi Dance – Bengal
This dance is performed in honor of Durga in Bengal. This solo dance is performed before the deity and the movement of hands and feet follows the beat of the … Continue reading
Santhal Folk Dance, Bengal
Seen in Murshidabad during Durga Puja 2022 As usual, tribal culture is inclusive – every individual is invited to participate – irrespective of any segregating parameter of age, marital status … Continue reading
Heritage Architecture of Murshidabad
Palaces of rulers, wealthy merchants and officials … More photos of the remnants of the magnificent history of Bengal. The seat of the British Raj for awhile, the region attracted … Continue reading
Terracotta Temples of Murshidabad
The beauty of the architecture, its unique style, the detail of the terracotta plaques on the walls that tell stories from the Hindu epics, the colors.. all fascinate me. The … Continue reading
Wovensouls Talk Announcement: Interview with former US Ambassador to the UN
Former US Ambassador to the UN and to India speaks to Jaina Mishra / WOVENSOULS online on ZOOM, Wednesday October 26th. The interview will include a virtual tour of the … Continue reading
Visiting the Past – The Heritage House of a Wealthy Merchant
It is a long 6 hour drive from Kolkata. Knowing that India had advanced so much with its fantastic road network, I knew that it would not be a tedious … Continue reading
Murshidabad Diaries
An adrenaline addict constantly needs to find new ways to create the Adrenalin rush. Fortunately this is internally generated. But …. the generation is most often dependent on external stimuli. … Continue reading
The Use of A Chandarvo Textile
I’ve collected Gujarat Textiles for decades. And have come across many ‘canopy’ textiles for sale – that are used as a cover over the goddess deity during ceremonies. Further my … Continue reading
Navratri Garba Dances
A little culture from my own life! Navratri is a festival of 9 nights in honor of Durga or Amba that is celebrated with dances in Gujarat. Gujjus love this … Continue reading
Rare Chelaberd Eagle Kazak Rug
Ten years ago, when I began reading about rugs and textile art, I’d read that they were ‘must haves’ as they are rare. Over the years I saw many being … Continue reading
Museum Walk – What is this Garment?
On a recent walk in a very small museum, I came across this: I don’t know how to view stone art. But this one appealed to me aesthetically. More importantly, … Continue reading
The Meeta Project – The Story
In 2021, inspired by Michael Asher & Wilfred Thesiger’s writings, I made a plan to spend time with camel herders, for a few days. This could only be realised through … Continue reading
Festival Time – Mumbai Style
This week it’s Janmashtami that the city celebrates – the birth of Lord Krishna. Baby Krishna loved home-made butter and he’d help himself to all the butter pots in the … Continue reading
Tanjore Diaries
They say, one makes it to the big temples of India, only when they call out to you. Maybe they do. But maybe my senses are not tuned to hearing … Continue reading
The Thanjavur Maratha Palace
Every now and then, I come across interesting people I yearn to meet. No – not Brad Pitt or George Clooney. But people like Dostoevsky. Lee Kuan Yew. Chanakya. The … Continue reading
The Saraswati Mahal Library at Tanjore
As a collector, I take pride in the things I collect. Through my sources – ebay & shops all over the world, I am proud to note that I have … Continue reading
Tanjore Style Painting – Where It all Began
And this is where it all began: This unbelievable Tanjore painting depicting 63 Nayanars, came to be mine in 2020 through an auction in London. Estimated to be from the … Continue reading
Wall Paintings & Murals – Tanjore
The number of visuals vying for the attention of my eyes is mind-boggling. What should I see – what should I stop and stare at, what should I stop and … Continue reading
Stone Sculptures & Bronze Statues – Tanjore
Disclaimer: Compared to other forms of art that I know very little about, in the field of stone and bronzes I know absolutely nothing. My reactions when I saw these … Continue reading
Heritage Homes of Tanjore
Life is lived every minute of every day. And so, long ago, we decided to surround ourselves with beautiful things. In the choice between return on investment in financial terms … Continue reading
Shiv Lings at Tanjore
The city of Tanjore is not big geographically. In a single day it is possible to visit the 2 important world heritage sites. But to look at everything that those … Continue reading
