Life Changes …. A Bishnoi Example
LIFE CHANGES … There was a time when you could recognise a community by their dress and their jewelry. Because every group made their own clothes. Yarn from goat hair … Continue reading
Elephant or Stork? Laotian Silk Weaving
Elephant? Stork? Dragon? Who is it that lurks in this amazing antique silk weaving from Laos? And who are the two little one riding on his back? If one doesn’t … 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
Textiles in Ancient Indian Murals
Ikat and other Textile Patterns in Ancient Wall Murals in South India ❤️
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
Signs of Ageing
Last year as I took out some of white-base Thirma Phulkari shawls for a client, I could not help noticing the huge difference in the colors of the base cloth … Continue reading
A Weaving from Sumba
Coming across local names of textiles makes me realise that the 5.5 languages I know are totally inadequate. I should have learnt them all. For, every word, is descriptive and … Continue reading
Installing Rugs on the Wall – The Met
Fascinating 2 minute film! *** Sep 2019
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
Animal Love
We all love our animals! The Qashqai weaver put hers in her rug while I had a few sweet moments with a sheep & a goat in my lap! See … Continue reading
Lion of Punjab – Sher-e-Punjab
Punjab – the land that has been facing invasions for centuries – values bravery and courage. And the lion offers an excellent metaphor for these values. Maharana Ranjit Singh was … Continue reading
A Lesson in Azerbaijan Flatweaves
A little lesson on Azerbaijan flatweaves offering a distinction between the Verneh, the Sileh, the Shadda and the Soumac.
The Camel Caravan is Ready to Move
The caravan is rising again. Awakening from its slumber – getting together its material resources and reigning in all the spiritual energies. Another journey ahead. What preparations remain before we … Continue reading
The Girl with the Dragon
Can you spot her? . . . . . Isn’t she lovely? See more of this gorgeous not-for-sale antique dragon sumac rug here on WOVENSOULS – asset 1379. *** jm … Continue reading
A Note on Phulkari Classification
A compilation of my jottings on Phulkaris Textiles of Punjab
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
Krishna’s Raas Lila in Silk Embroidery
Art Fix for the Day – Two Rumals with double-sided embroidery!
A Textile Lover’s Dream
7am As I struggled to walk barefoot at 15 degrees Centigrade on even colder marble floors – suddenly I see this vision: An unopened pile of textiles …who knows what … Continue reading
A Phulkari Fan from the Olden Days
Here’s another cultural remnant of the olden days in Punjab – A ceiling fan decorated with Phulkari work: The rope is used to swing the fan and is held by … Continue reading
A Charkha Spinning Wheel
Sighting of a decorated Charkha Spinning Wheel – used in a vanishing craft
Wearing her mother’s Bridal Haalvan Phulkari
A “haalvan” phulkari is done on very fine cotton cloth that is similar to mul mul. This is the first time I held one in my hand! All bridal textiles … Continue reading
