Glass paintings I had my first encounter with colourful glass art when I visited Paris many years ago. Home to some of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, Paris combines the magnificence of their architecture with the grace and vivacity of their windows. I was so amazed by the beauty of these stained glasses that depicted the scenes from the...

The coveted Bandhini art What comes to your mind when the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat are mentioned? The vast stretches of Thar Desert… The mighty Aravali range… Sabarmati River flowing peacefully… Majestic forts and palaces… The energetic dandiya raas… Sumptuous vegetarian thalis… And the vivacious Bandhani or Bandhej sari. The word...

Colour Palette The moment we hear the word ‘Rangoli’, an image of extremely colourful and vibrant patterns decorated on the floors to celebrate an occasion or festivity conjures our mind. Reflecting ethnicity, folklore and traditions of different areas, Rangoli is an expression of gratitude towards Nature and a perfect symbol of beauty, hope, and...

Priceless Pochampally Mesmerizing and intricate geometrical patterns spread all over the fabric. Extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. The rich lustrous look and royal feel perfect for various occasions…. I am talking of none other than Pochampally Ikat. The art of making Pochampally sari or Pochampally Ikat goes back to the 1950s from...

Pride of Telangana Who doesn’t like toys? These attractive and beautiful articles of play amuse children and adults alike. The art of toy making can be seen in every corner of our country aptly making it a land of toys. The tradition of narrating stories through handmade dolls or ‘kathputlis’ is still prevalent in most parts of the country. Often...

Madhubani Paintings: The magical world of Storytelling India is a plethora of rich cultural heritage and traditional art and craft. From every nook and cranny of this vast country, art seems to be oozing in abundance. The influence of various kingdoms and empires can be invariably seen in its varied art forms. One of the most popular among them is...

Of grace and charm… I feel blessed to grow up in a traditional family where women prefer to wear saris most of the time. And the icing on the cake is when your mother belongs to the vibrant state of Rajasthan. Since childhood, I saw my mother mostly clad in crisp cotton saris. And Kota Doria was perhaps her favourite. Her love for this graceful...

Confessions of a handkerchief I am gifted to the brides in my hometown at their wedding. I am used to cover offerings made to gods and deities, gifts presented to guests, wedding platters, other items at traditional events like festivals and religious fairs. Men cover their heads with me during religious ceremonies. I am a handkerchief… In...

Glass galore My first encounter with the town of Firozabad happened years ago when I visited the place to attend the wedding of a friend. The tinkling of glass bangles was on my mind all the way from Delhi to Firozabad. With limited knowledge about the 'glass city of India’, I entered Firozabad, a small town in Uttar Pradesh. It was during...

Shantiniketan Leather Goods From primitive man to the civilized modern man… the journey of leather has been a really long one. Primarily used to cover the body, leather slowly found its usage in all walks of life. Besides clothing, leather was used to make shoes, tents, saddles, water pitchers, etc. It has indeed left an indelible mark on every...