Textiles within Textiles
Am studying my Phad (Par) textiles and enjoying the complex scenes painted in. There are two types of Phads: one narrating the legend of Pabuji and the other narrating the … Continue reading
Soul on Fire – The Passion of a Bhopa
PRELUDE Excerpt from an article* I wrote for Jozan Magazine about the Art of the Phad. The shortest way to describe the Phad is ‘a devotional mural storyboard painted on … Continue reading
Vanished Without a Trace – A Clan of 84 Villages
TIME: Around 13th century. PLACE: Rajasthan PARADIGM: Extremely Caste Conscious Social Hierarchy STORY Kuldhara is village outside Jaisalmer. It was the home of Paliwal Brahmins. Every region, has its unstated … Continue reading
Inspired by the Gods – Jain Architecture
God can take one to great heights! I never really believed that until I began witnessing religious art created by inspired people. These works are inspired from deep within the … Continue reading
Need a Handmade Iron Tool? Go shop with the Gadaliya Lohar Tribe of Rajasthan
Hand made textiles I can understand – but seeing handmade iron tools on sale brought me face-to-face with my ignorance! As I walked through Jaisalmer, I came across 2 families … Continue reading
Streets of Jaisalmer
One of the best ways to experience a city is to walk through it. And Jaisalmer with its charming architecture, narrow lanes and friendly bystanders is a treat to explore … Continue reading
Welcome to Jaisalmer Homes
Art mixed with daily living, art created within the home, art that cannot be separated from the people or purchased – that art evokes a unique fascination and respect. Indian … Continue reading
TWO WORLDS
Bhil Woman whose lifestyle remains rooted in the past even as her surroundings have moved into the future with the adoption of new technology. Rural Rajasthan, India
Thar Desert Rajasthan – In search of Shade
Man and beast subject to the elements of nature in equal measure. The fragility of the human’s sense of empowerment over nature, is accentuated in the extreme testing conditions such … Continue reading
Thar Desert Rajasthan – Hamlets & Herds
A photo-essay on the little hamlets & goat herds seen in Thar Desert region of Rajasthan. The photos cannot capture the emptiness of the space, or the heat, but they … Continue reading
Thar Desert Rajasthan – Where did the desert go?
A desert is not something that one sees often. So when I planned my trip to Rajasthan, I was excited about seeing the Thar desert (pronounced by local as Thudd) … Continue reading
A Temple of Miracles in the Desert – Tanot Mata Mandir
Locals believe that it was the Goddess Tanot Mata that prevented the bombs from exploding in a war a few decades ago. And the Goddess became famous beyond the local … Continue reading
Royal Cradles of Rajasthan
As I walk through the Mehrangarh Fort Museum hall exhibiting royal cradles, I cannot help but think about babies & nurturing & child-raising, about the tenets of parenting and the … Continue reading
Living with Art – A Home in rural Rajasthan
On a highway outside Jaisalmer, driving at 80kmph, I spot an artistically decorated walled enclave. The driver is instructed to stop. He is first confused about my request to visit … Continue reading
Rajasthan Diaries
The caravan stops again. At Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and the surrounding desert villages! Sand dunes, an abandoned village, mesmerising architecture, a surprising desert-turned-fertile landscape, warm people, and finally an unforgettable meeting … Continue reading
18th Century Carpet Weights – Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur
An accessory for an accessory! Even though I collected carpets for a few years – I had never come across this category of objects in any books or in any … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – The Glass Collection
“By the turn of the 19th century, the Indian Maharajahs were fascinated by the luxuries of the West. Among their favorite luxury items was the glassware. During their travels in Europe, … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Museum – The Clock Collection
I have heard of strange collections – a collection of railway engines and a collection hangman’s nooses! But most collectors however focus on simpler objects – like coins and clocks. … Continue reading
Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum – Jodhpur
When performance does not match expectation it results in disappointment. Years I had heard about this palace & museum and wanted to see it since then. We were all … Continue reading
The Appeal of Art – What and Why
This answer is different for each of us. My answers is here: The type of art that appeals to me has revealed itself to me over the years. Across the … Continue reading
Gypsy Nomad Herder Women of Rajasthan
The job of herding is done by women in many of the tribes in Rajasthan. Where are the men? jm Aug 2013
