Let’s Explore Himalayan Art – Antique Wooden Sutra Cover
Sometimes a video just does the job better! Sutra covers are usually highly decorated and very beautiful. Because it is through the creation of art – on walls, in architecture, … 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
Art of Worship – Embroidered Tibetan Thangka
The Buddhist philosophy of keeping the mind engaged in various forms of prayers as the route to earning Karma has resulted in many exquisite artworks. Created with the powerful … Continue reading
A Himalayan Monk’s Mask for Royal Rituals
The masked dances of Himalayan Buddhist monks are fascinating and since 2011, I’ve watched them on four different occasions in various monasteries (Kalimpong, Matho, Stok, Jokhang-Leh ). The Chamms … Continue reading
The Grace of a Burmese Fan
Could it be said that Art reflects the character of the people? This is most certainly true in the case of Burmese Art! The immense grace in the flowing lines … Continue reading
Breathtaking Monastery Art
First, the altitude in the Himalayas makes me breathless and then the paintings in the monasteries take my breath away! Each monastery has so much to offer the vision that … Continue reading
Wearing Art – Antique Himalayan Ceremonial Silver Belt
When everything the eye sees is artistic and pleasing, where art is an intrinsic part of every object, there must be undercurrents of joy constantly hitting the people… Maybe THAT … Continue reading
Ancient Cave Paintings in Sasphol
13th Century Sasphol Caves, Ladakh Went up a mountain to see the magnificent Buddhist cave paintings. Worth every huff and puff. The big achievement was the small journey out of … Continue reading
Life in the Years / Years in the Life
“It’s not the years in the life that matter – it is the life in the years that count”
Old Buddhist Painted Parables on Furniture
Parables – simple stories used to illustrate a spiritual lesson – are found in every religion. But this way of painting these stories on furniture is unique. Was it a … Continue reading
Diversity in Folk Art – Bone Carvings
Exploring one more medium of folk art – Bones!
Antique Ayuthaya Paintings – Available for Sale
One more style of painting – one more delectable recipe that makes the senses dance int his ongoing visual feast – Ayutthaya paintings from Thailand. The subject matter relates to … Continue reading
Exhibition: Buddhist Art of India
New exhibition – ‘Buddhist Art of India’ in collaboration with Indian Museum, Kolkata. 30th Oct 2015 – 30th Nov 2015 National Museum, New Delhi
Antique Buddhist Butter Art Pattern Manuscript – Mongolia
As I open the packet of manuscript folios from Mongolia, the scent of the monastery infused into the centuries-old paper hits me before the vision does. Manuscripts, most often contain … Continue reading
Thai Paintings – Mediums of Mythology
Art of art’s sake is the rage of the day! Paintings of red dots on orange backgrounds fetch 6 figure prices and no one really seems to know why! … Continue reading
Mirroring a Mirror | Photos of Antique Paintings that depict Life
In the course of my travels I have come across fantastic murals and paintings that I have photographed and am sharing here to bring them out beyond their walls. Most … Continue reading
The Magnificent Stone Artefacts of the Odisha State Museum
Orissa has been the seat of rich ancient civilizations and some of the archaeological finds have been displayed at the State Museum, Bhubaneshwar. Museums in the cities of India are … Continue reading
Antique Sculptures of Buddha
Crowned Buddha in Dharmachakra, 11th century. This sculpture is a typical representation of ‘Pala’ art found in Bihar, India. Many such scultpures were placed in niches around the Bodh Gaya … 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
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
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
