Textiles in Jain Paintings
A glimpse of Antique Indian Textiles from Jain Kalpasutra manuscript paintings from Gujarat. Were these textiles printed? Were these woven? Were these embroideries? Are there any surviving examples of textiles … Continue reading
Mahakumbh – Day 3 / Exhilaration
Day 3 – Experiencing the amazing atmosphere of exhilaration at the maha kumbh.
The Maha Kumbh – 400 million people & me
Maha Kumbh mela with WOVENSOULS
Sounds of Silence
A leisurely rowing through the silence of Kashmir .
Dhunuchi Dance – Bengal
This dance is performed in honor of Durga in Bengal. This solo dance is performed before the deity and the movement of hands and feet follows the beat of the … Continue reading
Santhal Folk Dance, Bengal
Seen in Murshidabad during Durga Puja 2022 As usual, tribal culture is inclusive – every individual is invited to participate – irrespective of any segregating parameter of age, marital status … Continue reading
Terracotta Temples of Murshidabad
The beauty of the architecture, its unique style, the detail of the terracotta plaques on the walls that tell stories from the Hindu epics, the colors.. all fascinate me. The … Continue reading
Visiting the Past – The Heritage House of a Wealthy Merchant
It is a long 6 hour drive from Kolkata. Knowing that India had advanced so much with its fantastic road network, I knew that it would not be a tedious … Continue reading
The Use of A Chandarvo Textile
I’ve collected Gujarat Textiles for decades. And have come across many ‘canopy’ textiles for sale – that are used as a cover over the goddess deity during ceremonies. Further my … Continue reading
Navratri Garba Dances
A little culture from my own life! Navratri is a festival of 9 nights in honor of Durga or Amba that is celebrated with dances in Gujarat. Gujjus love this … Continue reading
Museum Walk – What is this Garment?
On a recent walk in a very small museum, I came across this: I don’t know how to view stone art. But this one appealed to me aesthetically. More importantly, … Continue reading
The Meeta Project – The Story
In 2021, inspired by Michael Asher & Wilfred Thesiger’s writings, I made a plan to spend time with camel herders, for a few days. This could only be realised through … Continue reading
Festival Time – Mumbai Style
This week it’s Janmashtami that the city celebrates – the birth of Lord Krishna. Baby Krishna loved home-made butter and he’d help himself to all the butter pots in the … Continue reading
The Thanjavur Maratha Palace
Every now and then, I come across interesting people I yearn to meet. No – not Brad Pitt or George Clooney. But people like Dostoevsky. Lee Kuan Yew. Chanakya. The … Continue reading
The Saraswati Mahal Library at Tanjore
As a collector, I take pride in the things I collect. Through my sources – ebay & shops all over the world, I am proud to note that I have … Continue reading
Wall Paintings & Murals – Tanjore
The number of visuals vying for the attention of my eyes is mind-boggling. What should I see – what should I stop and stare at, what should I stop and … Continue reading
Heritage Homes of Tanjore
Life is lived every minute of every day. And so, long ago, we decided to surround ourselves with beautiful things. In the choice between return on investment in financial terms … Continue reading
Ganga Snaan & Cleansing the Soul
In my opinion, the philosophy held within religions offer very useful supports to manage one’s own mind. Mind control of one’s own mind. And when one is on a downward … Continue reading
Pollution in the Ganga
They say the Ganga is polluted. Yes. After days of sitting on her banks with my feet in the water I can confirm that. Here are pictures of the pollution: … Continue reading
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
