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
The Circle of Life ~ Antique Kantha Motif
CIRCLE OF LIFE Welcoming a new cycle … A fresh year, a clean slate ….a new beginning. Let’s move on, let’s leave behind the old, let’s make more memories, let’s … Continue reading
Season’s Greetings
Wishing you a thousand desires… …. and the fulfillment of many! *** jaina mishra wovensouls.com
The Art of Buddhist Manuscript Sutra Covers
There is culture and then there is art. And it is by standing on the bridge between the two, that I derive the most pleasure. Here is a little note … Continue reading
Soul
SOUL / ATMA Of all the textiles that I have loved, this antique Qashqai dowry rug has been closest to me because of the SOUL or ATMA that the weaver … Continue reading
A Steppe Eagle visits
On my journeys, I never know what to expect. Before I left home, my friends asked basic questions – how long will you be gone, where will you stay, how … 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
A Manganiyaar Concert
It was the evening after I’d arrived into the small town with a population of 50000. Am supposed to head out to the rural area in the morning. A casual … Continue reading
Into the Desert
“If you are strong enough, you must constantly challenge the boundaries of your comfort zone.” And so I take little sojourns into the unknown. *** This time I am going … Continue reading
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
Motifs from Rajasthan – Textiles & Architecture
The sacred geometry seen in textiles is also seen in the architectural wall art of Rajasthan… read more
Leaves of Autumn – A Visual Study of Kashmir Boteh
Autumn leaves from Kashmir…
Wild Life
Living with wild animals – a red leopard with spots in two colors, a yellow-headed gazelle, a striped vulture and many many others – can be very stimulating. Lots of … Continue reading
Revisiting the Kalianda Tampan Shipcloth
It gets very windy in Singapore. And things fall. And break. And this is how the glass of the frame on one of the best surviving Tampans, broke. Previously I … 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.
