Authentic. Handcrafted. Artisanal. Natural.
The Calcutta Needlework is the craft that comes from the legacy of Colonial India, which had been nurtured to perfection over time. The themes present are floral, pleasant and the stitches finely done to ensure that the threads are tightly held together. The usual range of Calcutta Needlework includes table linen, bed-clothes, runners, mats, napkins and also sofa-backs.
Kantha Sarees are highly sought after and often collected over time by Indian women who prize delicate hand-embroidered sarees, as much as they do their jewellery! This embroidery is distinct in that it using running stitches to, as if, draw out pictorial representations of Nature. The Lotus flower, running vines, chirping birds and delicate floral patterns are brought to life using a fine needle and cotton thread. The embroidered is done on Cotton and Silk, with the colors ranging from neutral earthy tones to more vibrant, bright blues, oranges and browns.
The Kalighat paintings get their name from their proximity to the Kali Temple, Kalighat, Kolkata. These originated in the 19th Century using water colours on cloth or patas. Goddess Kali remained the central theme, with depictions of other deities and eventually scenes from the Ramayana.
Pichwai, quite literally, i that which remains behind and Pichwai paintings were made to hang behind, as backdrops to the deity Srinathji or Krishna, as more commonly known, in the temple dedicated to Srinathji at Nathwada in Rajasthan. Nathwada is a place of great spiritual importance and believers travel from far and wide to visit this temple.
Bangles! The chief and most ubiquitous of all ornaments, is considered the most auspicious by the women of India. These are associated with married life, fertility, celebration and prosperity. Each … Continue Reading Jingle Jangle..Lac Bangles: Handcrafted One by one.
The image above captures the glorious freedom of spirit and strong sense of identity that is associated with the nomadic “Banjaras”. The nomadic tribes originate from the desert sands of Rajasthan … Continue Reading Nomadic. Rooted.
Maheshwar, along the banks of the softly flowing Narmada, located in Madhya Pradesh is known for the legends of Ahilya Bai Holkar, the Saharaarjuna Temple and….the Maheshwari! The Maheshwari saree … Continue Reading Narmada’s Blessing; The Maheshwari. Handloom at its Finest.
This crop of humble origins begins its genesis as fluff around the seeds of the cotton plant, held in a brown casing to keep it secure. This “fluff” of humble … Continue Reading Kapaas: Rendezvous with a Legend
Shiva and Shakti, the ultimate power-couple, the great combined force, the celebrated husband and wife who married for love, in the face of parental disappointment, from the land of the … Continue Reading Shiva and Shakti: Equal & Eternally Beloved