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
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
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
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
The “Goze” of Japan – Notes from Arm Chair Travel
“Well into the 20th century the Japan Se coast was the haunt of the Goze – the blind wandering musicians. They went from village to village in the old province … 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
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
The Best Exotic Azeri Shaddah Weaving
(Title inspired by the Hollywood film Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) So after rummaging through the internet for Shaddahs or Shaddas, I have come to appreciate mine even more than ever. … 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
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
Spinning Yarn
Seen in the Himalayas….an activity, a skill, a lifestyle …. People STILL live in this charming way! All through our afternoon conversation in which our minds and voices engaged, their … Continue reading
Goatherding with Gutthu – Travelogue
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
All Creatures Great & Small
The writings of explorer-authors form a bridge between our urban world and the world of nomads and other rural communities who live by different life models. Reading about those … Continue reading
Old World Charm – Awadh Perfume Purse
Experiencing the romance of the old world of Awadh, India through a silver ornament no longer in use.
Games of Chance – Ganjifa
A note on the beauty of antique Mysore Ganjifa Cards
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
One Old Lady meets Another
The paint has worn out. And there are plenty of nicks on the woodwork, each telling an unforgetable tale. Layers of old paint shed – layers of fresh paint applied … Continue reading
Long Live the Spirit of Mumbai!
Pydhonie, Mumbai, April 16, 2019. It is in the midst of the wholesale markets for everything. It is in this area that Dhirubhai Ambani began as a yarn trader. Millions … Continue reading
Tears in Heaven
We never love quite as much as at the time of saying goodbye…. I loved this piece – I loved the artist who lived a hundred years ago – I … Continue reading
Textile Study Tour of Punjab
Preface on the minor notes about the textile study tour, Punjab, 2019
