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Bandha Re-Interpreted: The Famed Ikat of Odisha
Indian Ikat particularly from Odisha is admired for extraordinary illustration in resist technique. Nuapatna village in the cuttack district of Eastern Odisha is famous for the religious weft ikat textile – Geeta Govinda. It was inscribed with 12th Century poems of Jayadev written in the praise of Lord Krishna. In this village weavers belonging to…
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Quick Tips on Preserving Traditional Sarees
Her collection of sarees is probably the most prized possession in an Indian woman’s closet. From traveling extensively across the country to pick a traditional Kanjivaram from Tamil Nadu, a vibrant Patola from a small town in Gujarat, to inheriting her grandma’s exquisite 40-year-old Dhakai, without a delectable range of handpicked sarees, an Indian bride’s trousseau is sorely…
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Resplendent Legacy: The Beloved Patola of Gujarat
“Padi patole bhat faatey pan phite nahin”, “The design laid down in the patola may wear out, but it shall never fade.” True to this ode to its beauty, a Patola is a coveted silken textile that is believed to have been woven since the 4th century AD. According to historians the weaving was certainly…
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Celebrating the Six Yard Wonder: The Sari School Workshop with Rta Kapur Chishti
As Delhi took to the streets on the last weekend before Diwali, we made our way to what promised to be an exciting afternoon. While the festival of lights was slowly shining through all activities last week, we were also busy preparing to host a Pre-Diwali treat for some of our special guests… Jaypore was…
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Men and Sarees
Men and their feminine muse are not unheard of. From poetry, to art, to high fashion, the muse has inspired many a creation too. While it’s easier to understand it as a fascination for women, the concept didn’t quite sit right with us when it came to these five men and their affair with women in…
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Silken Threads: Romancing the Lustrous Kanjeevaram Saree
Distinguished by its wide contrast borders and rich motifs, a traditional Kanchipuram (or Kanjeevaram) saree is a sight to behold. Deriving its name from the town of its birth, a Kanchipuram weave has long been a treasure of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located about 72km from Chennai, Kanchipuram gained eminence during the…
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Home Diaries: An Enchanting Adventure
When September came knocking, we were invited by blogger Aradhana Anand to tour her gorgeous Delhi home. Before returning to India after nearly twelve years, Aradhana had begun re-decorating her room to create a space she could move back to and truly call her own. Our morning enthrallment began in the cosy corner where her sofa sits…
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Clouds of Color: Imaginative and Vibrant Central Asian Ikat
References to Central Asia conjure up images of flat, rolling sandy deserts and a vast arid landscape. However, upon closer look it throws up colors so vivid that the eyes are mesmerized by their distinctive beauty. The vibrancy of an Uzbeki ikat robe or wall hangings adorning a carved door does justice to their name.…
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Home Diaries: Pristine Pleasures
There are places that charm you with their exquisite exterior, a welcoming stairwell or the promise of a hidden wonder. As you peek closer and step inside, you’re thrilled at having walked into something built with magic, where all that you see holds a story untold and makes you forget the crowd, the chatter, the world outside. No…
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Passing on a Precious Legacy: The Handloom School in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Among the many treasures of India, the heritage derived through a Handloom is one of the most exquisite. This tradition has been celebrated in the past by kings and commoners alike, but the future looks sadly uncertain. According to the 2011 Census data, nearly seven million families are involved in earning their bread through weaving…
Storytellers of Wonder 