Indian Art – Paintings in The Kangra Museum
The first floor of the Kangra museum made the trip worthwhile. I am not a student of Indian fine art – so it was easy for me to enjoy these. … 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
Tanjore Style Painting – Where It all Began
And this is where it all began: This unbelievable Tanjore painting depicting 63 Nayanars, came to be mine in 2020 through an auction in London. Estimated to be from the … Continue reading
Stone Sculptures & Bronze Statues – Tanjore
Disclaimer: Compared to other forms of art that I know very little about, in the field of stone and bronzes I know absolutely nothing. My reactions when I saw these … Continue reading
Keeping the Butter Safe
This woven device is an Indhoni or a pot holder, hung up from the ceiling beams. The raison d’etre for such a hanging is to hold pots of milk / … Continue reading
A Step into the Kantha World
A first tentative step into the new world of old Kantha textiles. Or should I say Old World? Here is a small section of one with a scene, that I … 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
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
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 a Textile – Study of a 17th C Kalamkari – 2
Textiles & Costumes of the 17th Century depicting Indian & Persian styles. How many can you count in this one? The only frustration is that we cannot make out … Continue reading
Games of Chance – Ganjifa
A note on the beauty of antique Mysore Ganjifa Cards
The Art of Marble Jalis
Seen at the magnificent Mumbai Airport Museum. Cannot get enough of this airport! jm April 2019
Hybrid Art – 3 -Manuscript Paintings
A few weeks ago the surprise of hybrid paintings had already stung me when I saw a Hindu manuscript with illuminated paintings scripted in Gurmukhi. (Link to Gallery Store) My … Continue reading
Krishna’s Raas Lila in Silk Embroidery
Art Fix for the Day – Two Rumals with double-sided embroidery!
Veneration of Human Spirit – Jain Painting
Heroic act spellbind us. And spur us on to do more, to push ourselves a little bit more and to give life the very best of ourselves. In Bombay, there … Continue reading
Washing Shawls in 1867
An antique Indian miniature painting from the Kyburg exhibition catalog (1988) depicts the washing of shawls The 1867 painting is possibly from Lahore, Such a treat to get a glimpse … Continue reading
Rare Antique Company School Mica Paintings
In the early-mid 1800s Mica paintings were produced as souvenirs in Murshidabad, Patna and Benares in eastern India and Trichinopoly in South India. They imitated paintings on glass. Mica, a transparent … Continue reading
Along came a Ganjifa Set…
And took my sleep away! Why are these little artworks so attractive? Or elusive? A complete set consisting of 120 cards is very very rare! The odd card is seen … Continue reading
Wealth of Ladakh
Photos of photo prints of women wearing traditional jewelry at festivals. The magnificentv Petak headdress has been discussed earlier. But the others have not received enough attention! Here are sone … Continue reading
A Visit to Phyang Monastery
Sat still within the ancient halls with only a young monk in attendance. Time passed unmarked by minutes and seconds. What do these matter when the walls have seen centuries! … Continue reading
A Weaver’s Heirloom Patan Patola Sari
Rediscovering a piece from the weaver’s heirlooms – a bridal sari with fabulous double ikat hand woven raw silk!
