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
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
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
A Day in the Life of a Camel Herder
The diet of camel herders is heavily dependent on camel milk. Several times during the day, boiled camel milk was consumed. And at least 3 times I was offered tea … Continue reading
Stay Tuned: Report on Cultural Use of Phulkaris coming soon….
Old books on the culture of Punjab surround me. Notes from the fieldwork done in 8 cities in Punjab surround me. 29 white & red Phulkaris surround me. And a … Continue reading
Monk’s Cham Dance / Ladakh
Just posting a video of a Cham Dance during Spituk Gustor held in winter. See more photographs of costumes of monks including Pattu Hats, Gyaser brocades and textiles in monasteries … Continue reading
Identity – The Red Cloth
In about half of India, this red cloth stands for a very specific interest. If you like this it a MUST-have and fans will go even 20 kilometers in super-dense … Continue reading
Rang Bhari Ekadashi & Holi at Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Banaras
Ready to throw Abeer on the Shiva-Parvati Gauna Procession just as they enter the temple. Happy Holi ….. Shots of Rangbhari Ekadashi – the Gauna of … Continue reading
Book – Himalayan Treasures
It is nice to see a new book on a subject that is of interest. And it is even nicer to receive a mention in tje ‘Acknowledgements’ page! To be … Continue reading
Textiles in Ancient Indian Murals
Ikat and other Textile Patterns in Ancient Wall Murals in South India ❤️
Desert Art – Motifs of the Bishnoi People
How can one not love this art? In my few trips to Rajasthan I’ve not had the good fortune of seeing these in-situ .. being worn by the Bishnoi women. … Continue reading
Goatherding with Gutthu in the Himalayas
Gutthu sat on my lap staring into my eyes. Was there love? Was there bonding? Was this unbroken stream of photons resulting in any emotional bonding from his side? Would … Continue reading
Himalayan Glimpses
View from the aircraft flying over the Himalayas. Awakens a thousand desires to go into each of those valleys on foot and knowing I shall never be able to do … Continue reading
No Shoes Indoors
The origins of this gently-but-strictly enforced rule in all traditional Asian homes might be many. But I think the real reason is the art that is displayed on the floor…. … Continue reading
A Note on Phulkari Classification
A compilation of my jottings on Phulkaris Textiles of Punjab


