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
Ganga Relationships – The Coconut Man gives back
The devoted offer coconuts, fruits & flowers to the Ganga. This man, in doing service to himself & his family, works all day in the sun using his skill to … Continue reading
The Flow of Ganga – A lesson learnt
When one thinks of the Ganga, one thinks of serenity and calmness and peace. But the form that the river takes in Haridwar is anything but that. She is more … Continue reading
Life by the Ganga – Street Scenes
“Those who believe there are only 7 wonders in the world need to explore more ….” And I see too many daily-life scenes in Haridwar by the river Ganga that … Continue reading
Haridwar Diaries
Generations of Hindus have visited Haridwar to take a dip in the ice-cold section of the river Ganga to wash off their sins and cleanse their souls. Shivering women with … Continue reading
Map of Srinagar in Embroidery!!
Should I bid on it? I WOULD if I COULD but I CAN’T so I WON’T My bank balance won’t allow it 🙂 So for those who can – this … Continue reading
Magnificent Hainan Weavings
The idea of the Russian dolls that we saw in our childhoods was intriguing. Each painted wooden doll was hollow and could be opened at the horizontal centre. And when … Continue reading
Waiting to Meet the Men from Gendge
Cannot wait to meet these two men. Cannot wait to meet their two rams / sheep. Cannot wait to examine the fabulous barber-pole / candy stripe borders around each of … Continue reading
Three Dimensional Textiles
Just sharing some thoughts of no great consequence… *** Pile rugs are the most well-know example of 3-D weaving with 3 elements. In addition to the warp and the weft, … Continue reading
The Magic of Hands
Sharing something I read that sort of explains why our beloved textiles have an irresistible attraction: “Grandma how do you deal with pain?” “With your hands, dear. When you do … 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
A Gaziantep Kilim – A Life lived well!
WOW! WHAT A RIDE! “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid … 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
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
Rajasthan Village Diaries – 2021
I used to think that there is not enough time in one’s life to visit any place a second time. But there is. Some places are just not made for … Continue reading
Quality Time with Camel Herders
Just a whole lot of beautiful moments with beautiful people