Monthly Archives: August 2020

Mountain tribes and cultures are distinctly unique and their individualism almost directly proportional to the degree of difficulty in access and communications between the rest of the world and them. The people of the Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, that includes the well-known Kashmir and the comparatively lesser-known-about Ladakh, enjoy a rich variety of cultural legacy owing to the many influences that remained well after the many tides of rulers had ebbed and flowed. Moghul Chai and Sheer Chai offer the flavours of Tea with Salt and Spice. Unique. Must experience. Enjoy.

Grasslands have fed wild animals, human populations and in general, protected earth from denudation and drought. Their contribution to Nature is plentiful and vital. In many rural areas across the …

Endless miles of pale, hot sands, no leaf or bloom in sight, no spring blossoms nor autumnal fall, yet the soul of the desert people of Rajasthan, in Northern Indian, renders forth in splendidly simple and lyrical form, in uniquely flattering contrasts of colour, an expression of art and craft, in an innovative and uniquely Indian technique, that is revealed to us in the famous Jaipur Blue Pottery.

I recall being astonished to hear that there’s no clay as is used by potters but a sort of dough that is prepared by combining quartz stone powder from local quarries surrounding Jaipur, Multani Mitti, also known as, Fuller’s Earth, Gum, Borax and of course,a huge splash of water. Once done, the pottery piece is finished-off with a transparent glass glaze. The blue glaze technique was, its widely known, originally developed by Mongol artisans who brought these to India after the Turkish conquests. Rajasthani artisans have over the hundreds of years and generations past, developed thi

A Rich Tapestry Of Woven Eternally Gorgeous Jamavaar Shawl With Long Paisleys In Crimson- Wine And Beige-Cream, With Delicious Red’s, Yellow, Pink And Blue Woven In Classic Patterns That Fill

Kalamkari Sarees are a work of great skill and labour.  Kalam-Pen, Kari-Work, in translation, means working with a pen. This is done using painting and dyeing techniques that are laborious, 

I Make Wooden Printing Blocks Using Sheesham Wood Which Vary In Size And Are Always Two And Three Inches Thick. The Blocks Are Used For Printing On Fabric, Body Tattoo

When we were carefree, playful and considerate. when we loved our stuffed companion even when its button-eyes fell off and its tail was worn out at the seams. when it …

  Thangkas depict the life and teachings of the Buddha. Buddhist monks embrace austerity, discipline and a life dedicated to learning the teachings of the Buddha. Thangkas are spiritual expressions 

Food! Indians since the beginning of time have eaten with their fingers and not cutlery or chopsticks or any intermediary! The contact has always been immediate and absolute. Food is …

Grasslands have fed wild animals, human populations and in general, protected earth from denudation and drought. Their contribution to Nature is plentiful and vital.

In many rural areas across the world, grass is used to make products like hats, baskets, even various forms of household items for everyday use.

One such type of grass, in India, is known as Sikki grass and this grows in Mithila, in Bihar. This place has the unique distinction of being the birth-place of Sita, the celebrated and highly venerated wife of King Rama, widely regarded as the epitome of virtuosity and sacrifice .

Women in this region source, dry and die this grass in a various hues to make products like baskets, table mats, trays, toys, dolls and almost anything that can be of utility or interest! The grass is coiled tight and a needle-like implement called a Takua, makes itself useful, to assist them in giving these creations shape.

This environmentally-friendly and sustainable