Arts and Crafts of India-Madhubani

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So much has been heard and told about Madhubani,that it doesn't need an introduction

Madhubani or Mithila painting is a style of Indian painting, practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar state, India and the adjoining parts of Terai in Nepal. Painting is done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments, and is characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns. There are paintings for each occasion and festival. 

Madhubani painting has been done traditionally by the women of villages around the present town of Madhubani (the literal meaning of which is forests of honey) and other areas of Mithila. The painting was traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Madhubani paintings are made from the paste of powdered rice.  and the colors used are derived from plants. Ochre and lampblack are also used for reddish brown and black respectively. and the colors used are derived from plants. Ochre and lampblack are also used for reddish brown and black respectively.(Read more here..)

Last Surajkund mela,I found some craft persons from Bihar with some simple and basic and rustic drawings on some piece of cushion cover sized cloths.The sheer simplicity of the people and the designs just captured me and i thought one or two would make a big difference to these craft persons and also to my living room..Look into it here below..

oranges paired beautifully

browns that matched perfect

wood,yellows and browns

designs hand  drawn

indian designs ,truly

on the palette,the living room...

The traditional designs of Madhubani has been given a new life by the Color Caravan founded by Swati Seth.The traditional designs have been modified keeping in mind the modern spaces and today's lifestyle.These designs easily blend into the modern and traditional homes. Their beautiful  Madhubani Kettles and their mind blowing colours are a rage these days.Color caravan turning two today ..I wish them many more happy days to come..Support the crafts,buy their products and love them and make their life better.

a gorgeous Madhubani painted kettle in Anuradha Varma's Dream home..check her here,from Color Caravan

image copyright to Color Caravan

image copyright to Color Caravan

Images exclusively copyrighted to Color Caravan,Anuradha Varma and Lakshmi Arvind

Beautiful Things

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Home decoration is an ageless favourite.The Comforting elegance of grandeur times,helped me explore more of the traditional decor style.Illustrating the various elements of traditional design became a part of life.I prefer traditional style more at times when compared to the modern,abstract style of design.

The warmth of the traditional decor extends the warmth of the beautiful hues created by our forefathers...

Today let me share with you all some pieces of beautiful things at home,some unique pieces of art which has always remained my personal favourites.Almost all of them have been bought by my grandparents in their golden times..

Simply a photoshoot at home to keep them in memorable cuisine ,lets me think to share with you all....

I hope the photography and the artefacts may interests you..

Silverwares and a small side /coffee table which my mom got as a wedding gift..decades back....

a tanjore krishna painting which a japanese friend (Nakano)of my grandma gifted her years back.Nakano came from japan to study the art and lived near our house and used to visit the nearby temple and they became great friends.My grandma was sad during the time of japan earthquake,no news of Nakano so far..

to Nakano with love
absolute in love with this goddess saraswathi ,which my grandparents bought years back.This adorns our puja room.Yes,this is from the Ravi Varma Collection..

A small silver uruli ,an antique one accompanies the goddess..
this is the biggest uruli we have,an antique one
a brass Nandi near the window sillabsolute beauty/radianceAnother art ,Lord Krishna and Rukmini.,my grandparents bought from Tiruchirapalli when my grandmother went to sing for a concert 30 years back...An Interesting find
a closer look at the art

All images by Lakshmi Arvind

Please do not save nor use them without the prior permission of the author

Dhonk Craft

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Dhonk is a private company which is making handicrafts in and around Ranthambhore.

It aims to provide a sustainable livelihood to people living near about Ranthambhore.

Dhonk’s aim is to promote raw local talent and bring out the colors of Rajasthan for the consumer.

Dhonk is a blend of ethnic and modernistic fashion, giving the best of both the worlds to the buyer.

It is focused on achieving perfection steadily to bring maximum joy for its patrons.

The efficiency of craftsmen at Dhonk Craft can be seen from the crafts they manufacture. Very beautiful and attractive to catch every one's eyes.‎"How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?"

The reform program of Dhonk Craft includes giving alternate livelihood to the ex-poachers families, under this several Mogya women are trained on handicraft work.

handkerchiefspenstandsfruit basketsjewellery boxesbandhej dupattasclutchattractive bagsmoney pouchessmall basketsbagswomen working with hand on dupattas,patch work sheets,no machine used

hand woven rug

All pictures exclusive to Dhonk Craft

Visit dhonk here

"Arts and Crafts of India"-Terracotta Art

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Staying in Delhi and my upteen number of visits to the Potters Village,Saket,Delhi pushed me to write this post.All must be wondering about how the" terracotta work" is called an "art".Yes and to be very factual it is a form of Art.

The word "Terracotta" is etymologically Italian, and means ‘baked earth’ or ‘fired earth’. A clay-based unglazed ceramic art, terracotta art is an antique practice and bears testimony of man’s civilization through various ages.

*It would be wrong to say that it is entirely an Indian art phenomenon. 

*In fact, the art revolutionized the concept of European creativity and was elevated to an indomitable status by Italian craftsman, during the 15th century. 

*Some other countries that made use of terracotta were China, England, France, America and West Africa.

 *The Terracotta Army of China (the terra cotta soldiers), The Abduction of Hippodameia (Scene from a Greek mythology, where Hippodameia is abducted by a centaur), and The Town Buildings of Victoria, Birmingham are notable examples of the use of the art around the world.

From times immemorial; this art has been a pulsating life-force for the people of India. The excavations of the Harrappa and Mohenjodaro civilizations validate the fact.Can be traced back to the Indus valley civilization 3500BC From daily bric-a-bracs to revered idols; Indians mastered this art to cater to their every necessity. In fact, terracotta art was considered as mystical in India, as it incorporates the five vital elements - Air, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. 

Refined clay is first dried partially (not completely). Following this, it is cast, molded, or hand worked in such a way that it gets the desired shape. Thereafter, it is allowed to dry some more and then fired, by placing in a kiln or on top of a combustible material in a pit. Finally, it is allowed to cool, either by covering it with sand (in case of pit firing) or cooling down the kiln (in case of kiln firing). 

The art of terracotta varies from region to region in India and different states in India is specialised in its own unique style of terracotta sculptures and even clay colour of different region varies from region to region.

*West Bengal is famed for the terracotta objects produced in the Bankura District. The Bankura horse is very famous. For centuries the craftsmen of this district have been making figurines having ritualistic connotations.

 *Tamil Nadu is famous for the huge terracotta figures of the Aiyanar Deity. They are found standing guard at the entrances of villages protecting the insiders from evil spirits.

*Orissa and Madhya Pradesh have a charming tradition of decorative roof top tiles, made partly by hand moulding and partly on the wheel. These tiles, shaped like half tubes, have perched on top of them figures of elephants, monkeys, bears, reptiles, gods and goddesses and are considered a status symbol among the rural people.

*Terracotta panels and storage jars painted white and decorated with tiny mirrors are common in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

*Horses of Darbhanga in Bihar which are painted in bright rainbow colors once they are made.

*The terracotta pottery of Madhya Pradesh is simply remarkable, especially that practiced by the tribals of Bastar.

The terracotta art works definitely multiplies the look of the contemporary and traditional home decor. 

My  visits to potters village defnitely helped me in capturing the essence of the potters village,saket.All these images shown were taken during the days of GAnesh chaturthi and so most of these are the figurines of different types of elephant god,the obstacle remover the great God Ganesha .Will definitely feature the other items available in potters village in a different post.

Text courtesy:lifestyle.iloveindia.com,indiasite.com,indianetzone.com,india9.com