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
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
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
Spectacular Beadworks across Cultures
I begin my mornings ensconced in my room, away from the newspaper, away from any human contact. The thing that won’t let me sleep longer, the one thing that excites … Continue reading
Diverse Media of Dayak Art
I can actually ‘feel’ the compulsion they must have felt to decorate anything and everything around them! Literally any thing! The diversity of media used to express their highly developed … Continue reading
The Nayanar Saints – Exploration through Art
Who expected to be learning history through art? And what will we do with learning all this history? I didn’t ever think it was important to know what other did … Continue reading
Originals, Reproductions, Fakes, Investments …
….and other ramblings. *** In some categories of art it is easy to spot a reproduction. For example the Mona Lisa is a very well known painting and if we … Continue reading
Tech+Art at Christie’s
Technology at the service of art can have amazing results as can be seen from the way the Christie’s Asian Art Auction has been presented online: Take a look: Christie’s … Continue reading
There’s Gold Plated Hotels and then there’s Antique Gold….
WoW! Promotional messages in my mailbox rarely get opened. But when a Gold Plated Hotel came up I was curious. I could imagine only a few places on earth where … Continue reading
Have you ever seen….
A Wave Splitter? It sits on the front of the canoe, and as the name suggests, splits the wave as it hits the boat. And the owner loved his … Continue reading
What Do You Believe In
A note about Imaan or Faith or Allegiance. There ought to be at least one thing – an idea, a love, a craft, a nation, a god – just about … Continue reading
Textiles in a Textile – Study of a 17th C Kalamkari – 3
A study of Costumes & Textiles in a 17th century Kalamkari textile. Note not just the prints and motifs but also the style of the stitched garments! A must-study for … Continue reading
The Best Exotic Azeri Shaddah Weaving
(Title inspired by the Hollywood film Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) So after rummaging through the internet for Shaddahs or Shaddas, I have come to appreciate mine even more than ever. … Continue reading
Rangoli – Featuring my Aunts
Here’s a link to lovely film on Rangoli – the folk art of powder painting that was practiced across the length & breadth of India by all housewives. ALL. Video … Continue reading
Textiles in Ancient Indian Murals
Ikat and other Textile Patterns in Ancient Wall Murals in South India ❤️
Hybrid Art 8 – Gurmukhi Script in a Hindu Prayer Book
I am not a formal student of Indian Miniature paintings but have seen a few here and there and can now identify the Kashmir style of art. These paintings are … Continue reading
WHO are these MEN?
Fascinating to find five men lurking in a soumac rug fragment….. Here they are! Am assuming they are men because of the hair. The lower half is mermaidesque … am … Continue reading
Hybrid Art 7 – Kashmir Shawl
Finding pieces that are ‘pure’ in their identity is always a pleasure. But finding pieces that have some hybrid qualities adds excitement to the process of discovery of the character … Continue reading
Who knew! Butterfly Wing Art
Who could have imagined that the world went through a phase in which they made paintings using butterfly wings! With a short lifespan of 2 weeks, it may well be … Continue reading
Textiles in a Textile – Study of a 17th C Kalamkari
A fabulous work of art that also presents us with a glimpse of textiles and costumes in use in India in the 17th century. This rumal bears a date and … Continue reading
