Sailing along the Mekong River Delta
On a hot summer’s day in a place called in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, we went out to see daily life and the floating markets. In a place connected … Continue reading
Gateways of Bali
Just a few photos of the amazing art that is just everywhere in Bali. The artsy environment goes a long way in making this a spiritual haven. ❤️ jm Dec … Continue reading
A New Mystery -Ancient Terracotta Blocks
Seen in one of the important trading hubs of the old Silk Route – and retrieved with difficulty from the back of a dealer’s dusty shelf, lying in a plastic … Continue reading
Nomadic Weavings of Chanthang
Seen in the Himalayas in the Chanthang desert in Eastern Ladakh. Their living spaces Let’s gp in … To see their home & their weavings (videa to follow later) Volunteers: … Continue reading
Sentinels & Thresholds
The threshold is a very important line in a traditional Indian home. It is washed and decorated beautifully every day with auspicious symbols drawn in powder by the woman of … Continue reading
Goa Carnaval 2018
Something to do over the weekend in case you are in Goa! Delighted to find local culture in the themes of the floats! Delighted to find people of all ages … Continue reading
A Tent Hanging from India
The series on the V & A textiles continues with the printed tent hanging! Makes me think that I should pay some more attention to prints … From the … Continue reading
My kind of Palace
After a long time I have been able to afford the time to take a little solo trip. And here I am in a charming palace sipping green tea! in … Continue reading
Blessing Containers in Silver
How many people have others praying for them? Am certain that I have fewer today than I had 50 years ago. And so as these blessings become rarer, I value … Continue reading
Walking the Dog
And the bird in the cage. Scene in a double sided embroidery from the early 1900s. But could well have been a snapshot from modern day Singapore! More photos of … Continue reading
Courtship in Silk
Daily Art Fix – motif on an amazing wearable antique cantonese shawl! ❤️
Astrological Calendars – 6 – Batak Calendar
The Batak Calendar system has 12 months and follows the phases of the moon and the sighting of the constellations. Some basic facts the month is divided into 3 groups … Continue reading
Where the Men are Liberated
In most places around the globe, the world has imprisoned men in clothing of plain colors – colors that ensure that the wearers melt into the background. The most they are allowed is a strip of color in the form of a tie. [But don’t be fooled – it is mostly lip-service – out of the 5 feet of fabric, only about 1 foot is allowed to peep through from under the coat!! ]
Art of the Universe – Yao Shaman Robes
Yao painting scrolls, Yao dragon bridges and now Yao Shaman robes! The Yao group has created several forms of art while pursuing their spiritual goals! Led by priests called Shamans, … Continue reading
The City of Benaras
“Yeh Benaras Hai” Literally it means “This is Banaras” but the tone included pride and an assurance – a way of saying “Don’t worry – it’s okay – this is … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – Pathan Embroidery
A Pathan tablecloth with motifs that are seen even in the forehead-tattoos of Pathani women. ❤️ jm Sept 2016
Kashi nu Maran – The Flood of Ganga – 2016
According to a famous saying in Gujarati – my mother tongue – one can attain Nirvana (bliss) through two simple ways: “Surat nu Jaman ke Kashi nu Maran” i.e. (By … Continue reading
Pattua Singing from Bengal
In Bengal, in the olden days, in order to disseminate the holy stories, folk legends adn perhaps even news of major events, Pattua scrolls were used. Women first painted out … Continue reading
External Article: Caste System
Worth reading “Why is the world so obsessed with India’s caste system” by Sahana Singh
Daily Art Fix – Warli Paintings on Dung
The original idea was to use the cow dung walls of homes as the medium to paint on using white pigment made of rice & gum. Then at some point … Continue reading
External Link: A Wedding in Central Asia
I do not understand the words – but the beauty can be seen and understood easily! LINK
Royal Loin Cloths of Ceylon
Exploring some amazing rare antique loin cloths of Ceylon
News from the Met Museum
A new exhibition featuring manuscript paintings (and therefore textiles in paintings) and textiles exploring medieval Islamic textiles in the 20th Century titled Transformed: Medieval Syrian and Iranian Art in the … Continue reading
Side Effects of Religion
With the world slowly going crazy and the use of religion as a platform to justify it all, it is natural that there are discussions everywhere on this provocative subject. … Continue reading
What’s in a Name!
I did not realise the complexity of our naming system until I came across the extremely simple – and therefore confusing – naming system used for naming children in Bali, … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – Ceremonial Sumatra Weaving
A stunning festive weaving from pre-1900 Sumatra
Lombok Art – for the Ears & Eyes!
Just pictures of the art of the Sasak tribe from three different locations in Lombok: And some pieces from the Mataram Museum: And finally an older drummer So much … Continue reading
INVITATION – Antique Indian Textile Art @ The Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore
BAZAR: SAT & SUN 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th November 4pm-8pm A mini-exhibition will showcase some textile masterpieces from the past. Some pieces from the wovensouls collection will also be available … Continue reading
Mochi or Cobbler Embroidery of Gujarat
Anyone who knows Gujarati or Hindi knows that Mochi means a cobbler. So when I first heard my dealer say that a category of very fine embroidery is known as … Continue reading
Anatolia Diaries
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone Interesting Istanbul 1 Interesting Istanbul 2 A Walk through the Grand Bazar of Istanbul Intrigued by the past – Cappadocia Art … Continue reading
Dowry Bags & Purses
A link to the Dowry Bags & Purses of Gujarat, India. jm July 2015
DAILY ART FIX – AN ARTWORK A DAY
An addict constantly needs a fix to keep him stable. Me – in moments of extreme stress I find solace & peace in viewing works of traditional art. In normal … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – Kinnaur Weaving
Click to view more images of this recently woven shawl from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Daily Art Fix – Kinnaur Weaving July 2015 textile art, himachal weaving, himachal textile, India … Continue reading
Karakalpak Motifs – Art in Geometry
Sometimes it is enough to just enjoy the visual without knowing the meaning… View the complete piece and other images here on wovensouls,com … Continue reading
Life begins at the End of your Comfort Zone…
This timely advice was given to me by my daughter when I was choosing a travel destination. The other options were 2 places near Singapore – Bagan & Bali. But … Continue reading
The Charm of a Small Town – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Until my ship sailed to Sihanoukville I did not even know that such a town existed. Cambodia is usually all about Angkor Wat and being the blind tourist that I … Continue reading
Naga Shells – Nocte Naga Portrait
Portrait of a Nocet Naga girl with traditional costume
Anarchy & Chaos in a Tribal Textile!
Most traditional textiles seem to follow the patterns that are unique to their tribe. These patterns probably began with some seed of an idea and then evolved over generations to … Continue reading
The Narakasura Festival, Goa
[A post from 2010 on the occasion of Diwali & Narakasur] Goa. Narakasur. Pre-Diwali. A unique folk festival that I noticed for the first time in 2004 then became more … Continue reading
Art from the Swat Valley – an external article
Recommended reading on Swat Valley: Link to An article by Doris Srinivasan To view textile artworks from Swat & around please click on this link.
Life in Japan 1900s
Hand colored photos from Japan 1890 – 1905 seen on Ebay offer a glimpse into a completely different culture that is rarely seen in Japan today! Geisha Women posing for … Continue reading
Textiles within Textiles
Am studying my Phad (Par) textiles and enjoying the complex scenes painted in. There are two types of Phads: one narrating the legend of Pabuji and the other narrating the … Continue reading
A Story in a Nose Ring
Four times I have had my nose pierced. In spite of the fact that it is long & hook shaped and has provided all its viewers with immense mirth – … Continue reading
Wovensouls ‘Vanishing Cultures’ Exhibition Highlights | Vintage Akha Headdress
This headdress is a signature element of the costume of one of the Akha subtribes living in Northern Thailand. Available for acquisition. ‘Vanishing Cultures’ An exhibition of photography & antique … Continue reading
Costumes from Mongolia – A Peep into the Past
A discussion on a forum board opened my eyes to the details that form part of the background of paintings. In this particular case, the forum discussed rugs in the … Continue reading
How many Indian Manuscripts exist?
In my readings about ancient Indian texts I came across an interesting article by Wujastyk. The main page is linked below. A few interesting excerpts: India as a modern nation-state … Continue reading
Mystical Gold Ornaments from the past
When I look at some of the ornaments from the past, they leave me awestruck! The art & craft within them is doubtlessly stunning. But beyond that, there is an … Continue reading
Lifestyle & Beliefs of the Dard Aryan Ethnic Group of Ladakh
“It happens when it happens” Time is not a rare commodity and leisure is a luxury that all enjoy. ‘It happens when it happens’. No hurry. No time crunch. No … Continue reading
Small Town Magic – Travelling Bakery
Who could have imagined the charm that lies in the small towns of India? A travelling bakery in a busy market. jm Aug 2013
The Fantastic Skeypuk Jewelry of Himalayan Interiors
The mystery of how coral got to the Himalayas has many explanations yet the mind continues to meander into the past seeking confirmations. While the mind continues to thirst for … Continue reading
I wish I could do that
Things I wish I could do…. A simple bucket list All photos have been taken by me on various trips in the past 3 years. These and more … Continue reading
Forts in the Konkan Coast, India
A few photos of Konkan Forts: View all the images (in full size) on the parent website WOVENSOULS.COM jm Aug 2013
Artistic Mughal Architecture
A mini photo-article while I travel. Spellbinding Mughal Art View all the images (in full size) on the parent website WOVENSOULS.COM jm Aug 2013
Magnificent Lucknow Architecture
Am posting mini articles while I travel – these minis are mainly photos taken on previus travels. More pr images available on the parent website WOVENSOULS.COM jm Aug 2013 … Continue reading
Large Textile Art Installations from the Buddhist World
Just a few photos from my past travels. Tashiding Sikkim More pro images may be viewed on WOVENSOULS.COM jm Aug 2013
Nomadic Weaving Wonders
When I first stepped into the world of textiles, I was enticed by the art that needed the heavy support of the craft. The more pieces I saw from various … Continue reading
Grace of a Ryukyu Weaver, Okinawa
Another shore excursion, another learning experience. A lesson in grace, a lesson in technique from the legacy of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa, Japan The Weaving Process: jm Aug 2013
Hello from Ho Chi Minh City
A few interesting cultural shots of traditional life from the otherwise modern Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam Will post a video of my cycle rickshaw weaving through the heavy traffic … Continue reading
Into the Hearts and Homes of the Dard people of Ladakh
The Dard people of Ladakh are a minority group. Their lifstyle is very different from the other groups in Ladakh yet this difference is highly respected in the very inclusive … Continue reading
Prehistoric Rock Carvings – Mizoram
A few photos of pre-historic rocks seen in Fawlkun village in Mizoram. This village is literally in the middle of nowhere – the nearest town Aizawl is about 18 km … Continue reading
WOVENSOULS | Antique Textiles | Tibet & Himalayas
This page showcases some of the Tibetan & Himalayan textiles from the Wovensouls Collection. To view the dozen or so assets please visit WOVENSOULS.com linked here. jm July 2013
WOVENSOULS | Antique Textiles | India
This page is a showcase and some of the best Indian textiles from the Wovensouls Collection have been displayed here. To view the detailed images please visit WOVENSOULS.com linked here. … Continue reading
WOVENSOULS | Antique Textiles | South Asia
This page showcases some of the Tibetan & Himalayan textiles from the Wovensouls Collection. To view the dozen or so assets please visit WOVENSOULS.com linked here. These are just a … Continue reading
The Dowry
This is a much maligned concept in the context of India. It need not be. A few facts: A large part of India has a bride price – where the … Continue reading
Goan Fisherman’s tale – traditional wisdom, traditional fishing
While one half of the world chases efficiency and big money, Goa continues to chase the perfect life. Afternoon siestas are still not traded for earnings. I have been turned … Continue reading
PRESS RELEASE : Wovensouls Website migration
The Wovensouls webgallery of antique textiles, antique jewelry and antique folk art has been redesigned and has moved to a new hosting server. The content is now available HERE. Acquire … Continue reading
The story of the Pattua Painting of Bengal in the Wovensouls Collection
A few months ago, I spotted a piece of vintage folk art and without knowing quite what it was, I acquired it. It was a scroll, about 1 foot wide … Continue reading
WOVENSOULS SUMMER AUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT
The Summer Auction of timeless textile art, jewelry art and folk art will be conducted online-only on Artfact.com and is open for bidding until June 30th. The catalog may be … Continue reading
Infinity of the Ocean
Through the Wovensouls gallery, I once connected with a young girl from Iceland. A country that I had never thought of before the time I met her. She had bought … Continue reading
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions in Singapore, Montreal & Mumbai \ Jaina Mishra , Wovensouls
Wall Art of Rural Rajasthan
Dedicated to those mistaken souls for whom ‘rural’ implies ‘poor’ or ‘undeveloped’ or ‘in-need-of-upliftment’. May the following pictures give them reason to modify their beliefs. Following are pictures of a … Continue reading
Tribal Life in Orissa – a tribute!
I was in Orissa in January and the month of May is about to end, and yet the tribal life that I experienced there remains unshared on this blog. … Continue reading
An outrageous sacrilege about to happen…
Lord Macaulay is said to have authored these words about the conquest of India in the 1800s: “Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people … Continue reading
Anachronism : Mumbai & Elephanta
Among the largest mega-cities in the world, Mumbai also has an anachronistic satellite island about an hour away from its shores. An island that is only a few kilometers away … Continue reading
Journey to the Past : The science of Epigraphy
Imagine walking through a maze with instructions written in a language we do not understand. In reconstructing the history of a civilisation, we work with very few clues – artefacts, … Continue reading
SOUNDS OF SHANTI – Photography Exhibition presented by Esplanade Singapore
Esplanade Theatres, Singapore presents ‘Sounds of Shanti’ – a photography exhibition reflecting devotional music of the various cultures of Asia, in conjunction with their music festival “Tapestry of Sacred Music”. … Continue reading
Palm Leaf Pattachitra from Odisha
Traditionally paper, textiles and stone have been used to create artworks. So when a new base material is encountered the most intriguing aspect for me is ‘how did this come … Continue reading
ANNOUNCEMENT : Wovensouls to hold first major Live Auction in April 2013
Live Auctioneers will host the first major auction of Wovensouls on April 6th, 10am California Time. Important pieces of textile art and folk art from Tibet and a few other … Continue reading
Indian History – my education system failed me
My school teachers and my school text books always told me that India had been ruled by the British. But through my travel and the books that I have stumbled … Continue reading
The Ladies Compartment in Mumbai Local Trains
VENUE : The Ladies Compartment LOCATION : The local trains of Mumbai EVENT : 1. Shopping Gala 2. Bonding Gala COST : INR 40 / all day travel TIME : … Continue reading
18th / 19th Century Yao Painted scrolls, North Vietnam
Art. A subject that seems enticing, mysterious as well as ambiguous. An area where it is hard to be sure of oneself especially with respect to valuation. When I look … Continue reading
Mini Photo Exhibit at the Singapore Art Museum Satellite Unit Opening at Taman Jurong
In pictures 5 photograph prints were selected for display at the opening of the Singapore Art Museum at Taman Jurong CC. The objective of having satellite units is to bring … Continue reading
Wovensouls Website relaunched
The structure and layout of the wovensouls website has been changed to make the flow smoother. Recent acquisitions of antique textiles, antique jewelry and antique folk art, some of these … Continue reading
Miniature Thangkas from Mongolia
Devotional Art – art that arises out of worship and devotion – produces some of the most spectacular works the world has seen. Sufi music is an example and so … Continue reading
Photographs of the Tribal Expressions Exhibition, Singapore
Photos of an absolutely amazing experience! Visitors reacted beyond expectation to the people in the photos, to the photos, to the expressions of human emotion, to the expressions of tribal … Continue reading
Upcoming Talk @ The Esplanade, Singapore
Sunday November 25th, 2012 Library @ The Esplanade, Singapore Details of the talk ‘Tribal Textiles – Signatures of Identity’ may be viewed on the Esplanade website linked here jm Nov … Continue reading
Camels go on a Pilgrimage with their Tribal Masters to pray
I am in Kutch. One of the districts of Gujarat. Which is one of the 28 states of India. This little portion tucked away in a corner of India bordering … Continue reading
Additions to the Wovensouls Antique Textile Gallery – Tribal Bags
A few tribal bags that were acquired on my travels….. Some are bags originally used by tribals. Others are made using antique or vintage tribal textiles. All gorgeous. All very … Continue reading
Meeting Lambani Textile Artists
Awhile ago, while doing research for an art installation project, I met these textile artists who work for themselves – who create their gorgeous art mainly for self-consumption and not … Continue reading
A walk through a Rabari tribal Village
Rabari people are gypsies having their deep ancestry origins in Mount Kailash. They migrated to the Kutch via Afghanistan & Kashmir. Just a video taken as I walk about a … Continue reading
Textile Art of South East Asia at the Asian Civilsations Museum
An album from a forgotten visit in 2007 to the Asian Civilisations Museum …. taken with a camera I do not even remember. A photography experience that probably made me … Continue reading
Tribal Textile Art of Kutch – the Bhuj Folk Art Museum
A self explanatory photo-essay showcasing the mirrorwork & embroidery of various tribes in the Kutch region of Gujarat India. But first an introduction to the two lovely ladies from the … Continue reading
Textile Art of Mizoram, The Lunglei Museum Collection
A walk through the textile & jewelry section of the Museum of Lunglei, the remotest town in the North Eastern state of Mizoram, India. Details of these pieces are available … Continue reading
Alternate Life Models 5 – Mizo culture
Most Eastern life models are patrilineal and the father-son lineage carries forward important life markers such as caste, name, inheritance etc. The rules are clear and common across geographies. But … Continue reading
The Classic Indian Village Fair – Gogunda mela
Not a single tourist present besides me. No Indian tourist. No foreign tourist.No men tourists. No women tourists. ONLY locals. ONLY villagers. And me. This is simply not a place … Continue reading
Gangaur Festival
A festival of devotion and of celebration of love. Shiva and Parvati are the epitome of love in Hindu mythology and this is one of the stories about their love. … Continue reading
Curious Dayak Tribal Objects
I had never articulated the thought in my head until Kuching but had always known this even during my days of scrounging through Chor Bazaar in Bombay and flea markets … Continue reading
Puppets & Puppeteers of Nagaur Rajasthan
An old folk saying “We are only puppets, our strings are being pulled by unknown forces” This is an article about puppets – from a place that is famous for … Continue reading
A Python for Dinner
Note: Please note that this article contains images of raw meat. If this is offensive to you do not read further. “Mom what’s for dinner” “Stir Fried Python” This would … Continue reading
Sarawak Diaries
The number of hours spent in an airplane seems to be directly proportional to the “Exotica Quotient” of a destination. This is false of course and although I knew that, … Continue reading
Latest Photography Galleries – May 2012
Photo galleries added to JainaMishra.com recently have been linked below: May 2012 PORTRAITS – MANGANIYAR MUSICIAN TRIBE OF RAJASTHAN PORTRAITS – GARASIA TRIBE OF RAJASTHAN PORTRAITS – TURBANS PORTRAITS – … Continue reading
Women of India – the Weaker sex….
Presenting a view of the woman seen as the classical “abalaa naari” or the helpless woman of Indian society. The tribal Indian woman. An epitome of freedom and strength! She … Continue reading
Music of the Manganiyar Tribe
The Manganiyars are famous through their shows worldwide titled the Manganiyar Seduction. Presented by international performance companies their music has received a platform it deserves. Awards and acclaim have followed … Continue reading
The Blacksmith Gadaliya Tribe of Rajasthan & Gujarat
One of the many tribes I met in Rajasthan – the Gadaliyas – the Blacksmiths. I have posted some images and an informed article by another blogger on nomadic tribe … Continue reading
Mewar Diaries
Rajasthan needs no introduction. Colors flood my senses from the moment I drive into the city of Udaipur from the airport late in the evening. After stopping to pick up … Continue reading
Folk Dances of Rajasthan
No words. Just videos that I have taken on my phone camera at the Bagaur Haveli in Udaipur. 1. A folk musician plays a traditional instrument called the Raavanhatta : … Continue reading
The Man with 39 Wives
A remote village in Mizoram. Returning from Lunglei to Aizawl I took a detour via Sirchip in order to meet this man with a new idea of life. Communication with … Continue reading
The Chapchar Kut Harvest Festival of Mizoram
A glimpse of the Chapchar Kut Harvest festival held at Aizawl in March 2012. The Chapchar Kut is the Harvest festival of Mizoram and celebrated across the hills in March … Continue reading
Street Dwellers in Bombay
Everyone has heard about the much romanticised and much media-exploited slums of Bombay. There are even organised tours through the slums! Most outsiders think that slum life is the rock … Continue reading
Mizoram Diaries
Mizoram. A landscape of blue mountains. Rising above white clouds and mist. Green. Pristine. Located in the North East of India. With a population of 10,00,000. Spread over half a … Continue reading
My Talk @ Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore
On Thursday, Feb 16th, I presented a talk on the magnificent Blue Veil to museum Docents, textile enthusiasts and museum enthusiasts at the Ngee Ann Auditorium at ACM in Singapore. … Continue reading
Intense Spirituality – the Thaipusam Festival
They say spirituality awakens at a particular moment – and that moment is necessarily different for each person. I do not think I have reached my moment yet. But I … Continue reading
Arunachal Pradesh Diaries
Nested in the Himalayan foothills, almost untouched by my world that is desperately seeking answers to its energy crisis, its financial crisis fuelled by ‘more & more’ & ‘growth’, and … Continue reading
Fierce Nocte Headhunters
Portrait-collage of the Nocte Tribe, Khonsa, Arunachal Pradesh, a friendly happy yet fierce tribe with headhunting ancestry. Hi res images available on www.jainamishra.com My other related articles Headhunting Tropies Back … Continue reading
The Gaanv Boodhas or Village Headmen of Arunachal Pradesh
Am stating the obvious – that every journey results in not only a fresh view of old things, but also views of things never seen before by the beholder. Having … Continue reading
Glimpses of a contented People – the Arunachalis
Images of interesting elements of Arunachali lifestyle have been put together as a general kaleidoscope. For separate articles on the specific topics, click on the links below: Hunter-Gatherer-Weavers Innovative housing … Continue reading
The Arunachali – the Hunter-Gatherer-Weaver
Tiny hamlets dot the Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh. Some lie along the winding roads while a large number are accessible only by foot paths taking as long as 3-5 … Continue reading
Tribal Signatures – Face Tattoos of the Apatani tribe
The lifestyle of Apatani hilltribe of Arunachal Pradesh fascinates a cultural traveller on several aspects. But the one that hit me with the greatest intensity are the 2 tribal signatures … Continue reading
Arunachal Hilltribe Lifestyle 2 : Innovative housing
Arunachal Pradesh landscapes comprise the foothills of the Himalayas and is inhabited mainly by tribes.The hills are dotted with tribal villages all across its 85000 sq km expanse. Hills and … Continue reading
Head Hunting Trophies
The British had banned head hunting during the days of the Raj and ordered that all trophies – such as skulls of enemy tribes – be destroyed. Most tribes complied. … Continue reading
Ram Leela at Dassera in Mumbai
The Ramayan is a well known epic about the triumph of good over evil. But the Ram Leela – the enactment of the Ramayana is a lesser known event. In … Continue reading
Ladakh Diaries
“LADAKH – THE HERMIT KINGDOM” PROVIDES AN INTRODUCTION TO LADAKH AND IS A PREFACE TO A SERIES OF SUBJECT SPECIFIC ARTICLES ON LADAKH. In the olden days, in the Hindu … Continue reading
“An Indian Discovers India” – Photo Art Prints Exhibition
For an Indian born and raised in urban India, discovering the diverse spectrum of cultures in the extreme geographical ends has been a journey filled with revelations about India’s identity. … Continue reading
Mountain Adventures 18000ft above sea level – a landslide at the Khardungla Pass!
This was, without a doubt, the most difficult journey I have ever made. I have travelled to Everest Base camp, have travelled squeezed into the boot of a car on … Continue reading
The Chamms Masked Dances by the Monks of Chemrey Monastery – Ladakh
Lamas of the ancient Chemrey monastery performing the Masked dances in Leh in which they enact religious tales with a moral. The stunning colors of the flowing robes combined with … Continue reading
Traditional Sports of Ladakh – Polo
Where else would we find a monastery, a chorten, mountain peaks AND polo players in the same shot??!!! The cheerleading squad – traditional drummers The teams A flying horse? A … Continue reading
An Appeal for “The Blue Veil Project”
The magnificent head dress of Ladakh – the Perak laden with rows and rows of turquoise gem stones and coral, is probably among the most exquisite bridal ornaments in … Continue reading
Ancient Murals of Alchi Monastery – an art-collector’s delight
Alchi is a sleepy and simple unglorified village about 70 km to the West of Leh. Nothing in its approach route or in the buildings and structures of the village … Continue reading
Mastering the Mind and Body – Monk Warriors of Xiaolin (Shaolin) – a photoessay
Xiaolin or Shaolin. China. Popularised in the film “36 Chambers of Shaolin” (1978) When I woke up yesterday, I had no idea that the day would hold unforgettable encounters with … Continue reading
A night-out with the Nomads of Changthang
Dreamt of spending time with nomads for a long time. To experience their minimalistic lives, to observe the mental strength with which they embraced the harshness of nature, to … Continue reading
Dreams I dreamt and realised – Ladakh
Each of us is born with a curse – a predominant sentiment that rears its head at almost every occasion. My curse is ‘disbelief’. Every day something good happens that … Continue reading
Travelling between two eras – an encounter with Pushpa the maid servant
Pushpa used to work for the previous owners of our portugese villa before the family dissipated in numbers and before the house fell to ruin As per Goa laws, she … Continue reading
Church of St. Francis Xavier of Assisi, Old Goa
I studied at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, and my school was a convent run by a nun order that is closely associated with the Jesuit priests, an order started … Continue reading
Shadow Puppets of Malaysia, Indonesia & South India
Wayang Kulit is the name given to folk ‘shadow’ puppet shows performed in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The puppe tperformances are usually story telling mediums and most stories narrate excerpts … Continue reading
Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an – a photo gallery
Made of . These and other artifacts like bells, cranes, amulets and weapons are all widely speculated by experts to be part of the recreation of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s … Continue reading
Antique Java Topeng Masks and Wayang Topeng
Wayang Topeng is an Indonesian dance form that uses masks such as the ones shown below, that evolved in the 16th century. Performances enact Javanese stories about 12th century heroes … Continue reading
Viva San Jao
24th June 2011 A second visit to the wonderful non-touristy festival in Goa! For the local people and by the local people. Vibrant colors, Vibrant music, Vibrant boat decor and … Continue reading
Invitation to a Lambani Gypsy Tribal Wedding
A Lambani Gypsy family. A Village in Karnataka, India. May 8th 2011. An arranged marriage. This is an account of a gypsy tribal wedding in a tiny village that had … Continue reading
Exquisite Vintage Kebayas – the costume of the Peranakan culture
Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya and Straits Chinese are terms used for descendants of the very early Chinese immigrants to the Nusantara region of British controlled Malaya and the Dutch controlled Java among … Continue reading
Conserving antique textiles
Antique textiles, as most textile collectors know, have inherent in them the twin problems of conservation and non-invasive display. Objects that are investments of finances as well as passions, are … Continue reading
Yak Horn textile adornments, Sikkim
Yaks must be much loved creatures since their owners – the Dokpas – who adorn them so fashionably! The behavior of yaks is best described in Heinrich Harrer’s book ‘Seven … Continue reading
Sikkim Diaries
‘To live many lifetimes within a lifetime…”. Its time for another lifetime! My trip to Sikkim in March 2011, was planned during the week of Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations. … Continue reading
Chanting ceremony at Kagyud Monastery, Lingdum, Sikkim
The Kagyud Monastery was the best experience of my Sikkim trip. This is the monastery that I will return to someday. On the first visit, 2 days prior to Losar, … Continue reading
Art in Buddhist Ritual Objects
My awareness of Buddhist rituals and practices is limited to my observations. Someday I hope I will have the opportunity to seek out the stories and the philosophies behind these … Continue reading
Art in Sikkimese Monastery Architecture
The initial images display exteriors of monasteries while the last dozen display the interiors. Back to Sikkim Diaries jm March 2011
Wood Art in Sikkim Monasteries – Windows, Doors and Pillars
The design of the Buddhist Monasteries in Sikkim is heavily influenced by Tibetan designs and bears a close similarity to the visuals seen on the other side of the Himalayas. … Continue reading
On the Silk Route at the Nathula Pass, India-China border
The day journey from Gangtok is a difficult one, but that doesn’t stop tourists from reaching the pass 15000 ft above sea level…..I was just one of the 4-5 dozen … Continue reading
Buddhist Yak Butter Art of Sikkim
I usually travel ‘blind’ – without detailed research. So I do not have a clear idea of what to expect. As a result, the experiences I go through along the … Continue reading
Procession at the Enchey Monastery, Sikkim
The head Lama at Enchey, a quiet handsome and dignified gentleman who rarely speaks to visitors, honored me with a detailed conversation about his life* and about the monastery. He … Continue reading
A journey on a state transport bus in Satara district, Maharashtra
That India is a land of diversity is an often repeated cliche. The spectrum found on any parameter – wealth, lifestyle, mentality, cultural beliefs to name a few – covers … Continue reading
Pattachitra Art of Assam
Pattachitra is similar to ‘storyboards’ or stories told along with pictures. The tales depicted are usually derived from epics such as Bhagawat and Ramayana. In ancient India, this art was … Continue reading
Rural art & crafts of Assam
Art arises as an expression of common people as expressions of culture, expression of religion and expression of belief. In cases where the art form finds a patron, the technique … Continue reading
Textile Art of the Ahom Kingdom – Guwahati Museum Collection
The Ahoms are a community found largely in Assam. This community consists of the descendants of ethnic Tai people who accompanied the Tai prince Sukaphaa who established the Ahom kingdom … Continue reading
Street Shrines of India
The Gods are everywhere – literally. In busy Bombay, in parts where its working class real people live, almost every street has a wayside shrine. A holy tree or an … Continue reading
A Visit to Borobudur
2008. I wrote about it on another site. But the nature of the internet is such that things get lost easily. Nothing is as permanent as paper. But am sure … Continue reading
Tribal Textile and Bead Art of Nagaland
This photoessay is preceded by the article that appears on Jozan.net titled “Red, White and Black – Tribal Textiles of Nagaland” available here. Images will say it better than words … Continue reading
Nagaland Diaries
An image from 1870s Nov 29th, 2010 Am setting out to explore Nagaland – home to over 20 distinct tribes characterised by two intriguing lifetsyles: headhunting and minimal clothing. This … Continue reading
Tribal Dances of Nagaland
Every tribe has unique ways of celebrating festivals – some that are common to all Nagamese, others that are unique to each tribe. A collection of images of various tribal … Continue reading
Train Ride across rural Assam – Guwahati to Dimapur
The railway station was just as enchanting as every other Indian railway station. Bustling with travellers and vendors, crowded with passengers sleeping on the platforms waiting for their next connection, … Continue reading
Traditional Naga Bamboo Climbing and Fire Making
Greased-bamboo pole climbing and Traditional fire-making….a few images. Boys preparing to compete in the greased bamboo pole climbing competition between tribes Splashing mud to create friction *** Fire making by … Continue reading
Naga lifestyle
Pineapple plantation Buddies chatting on a ‘puliya’ Local Backpacks Dimapur market: Small intertwining lanes that would challenge the map-drawers skills; Shops spilling out onto the streets with wares stacked in … Continue reading
Tears in Kohima
My friend who had fought several wars as part of the infantry brought me to look at this landmark site. It probably held some significance to him, but I had … Continue reading
Sumazau Folk Dance of Sabah, Borneo
This is a mini photo-essay on the folk dance of Sabah, Borneo, easily one of the most graceful and fluid dances in Asia. Outstretched hands and palms moving up and … Continue reading
Goan Folk Art – Tulsi Pots
Goa is known for its beaches …but over the years its numerous hidden attractions have revealed themselves to me, slowly, one at a time, ensuring that I remain in love … Continue reading
Beautiful People – the Eunuch community of Bombay
Eunuchs have been mentioned in the Mahabharata, in tales from the Mughal times and from ancient China. In all of these they played a role in royal and noble homes. … Continue reading
The Dhunuchi Dance at Durga Puja
I first experienced this dance through one of the most beautiful Hindi films of this decade – Parineeta. This dance is performed at the Durga Puja – a hindu festival … Continue reading
A cup of tea with Nomads and Gypsies of Kutch
This trip in early 2006 marked the start of my solo travelling life. A novice solo traveller a bit nervous, but as usual serendipity helped me along….. Armed with … Continue reading
Ajrakh Block Print Art
This is a photoessay on the art of block printing called ‘Ajrakh’. The process described here, is the same for any block print art. The speciality of Ajrakh is that … Continue reading
Textile Symbolism – 1 : Hilltribes of Northern Thailand
(Excerpt from my article on Jozan.net) Textiles, costumes & dress codes have played an integral role as announcers of significant life events, in some cultures more than in others. As … Continue reading
Kissing a Bengal Tiger
If Webster needed examples from the real world to explain the word ‘inappropriate’ – the names of two tigers I met and cuddled, Sticky Rice and Spicy Sausage would be … Continue reading
Lifestyle of Hilltribes of Northern Thailand
Following is an excerpt from an article I wrote for Jozan.net. ‘Textiles, costumes & dress codes have played an integral role as announcers of significant life events, in some cultures … Continue reading
Travelling Godmen – the Spiritual Healers of India
Travelling Godmen are wanderers that travel from village to village, restricting themselves to a particular geographical area (usually dictated by the language). They sell spirituality and its benefits in different … Continue reading
Unusual Architecture of Tamdi Surla Temple
Deep within the forested areas of Goa lies a stone temple which seems to have very unusual architecture. Made entirely of stone – some slabs that are so large that … Continue reading
