Arty-Facts about Indian Handicrafts
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A few of my favourite things!
Read more →Came across the song “Raindrops on Roses & whiskers on kittens’ from The Sound Of Music a few days back while attempting to play some songs for my kids on Saavn. And then they asked, "Mama – what are your favourite things?" I paused for a very long time, enough for them to feel that I hadn't heard them. I had to beg for time and get back to them post consciously thinking about it. It's funny how as adults we lose touch with ourselves in the daily rigmarole of life. The Kids had their answers ready. My daughter said she...
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My favorite corner - what's yours?
Read more →My comfort zone in the literal sense of the word, is my little corner beside my bed. It has all the things I love right there - my favorite books (or rather the current one being read), a table clock, a lamp to keep the room cozy and warm and a family pic. Not to forget my little stool to sit on. And why is it my favorite? Well, like I said it has my favorite things, it's where I escape to when I want some solitude and its where I chat with my little girl early morning as I...
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Dashavataar - Patachitra depictions & bedtime stories
Read more →Every night, one of us, either me, my husband or mother in law has to tell the children a story at bedtime. The stories have to be different & new and though repeats are allowed, it's not easy coming up with new ones regularly. One night I was starting at this painting (as I usually do :)) and hubby was trying to rack his brains on dreaming up a new story, when this idea of narrating the sequence of the Dashavataars and stories around it as bedtime stories struck me. I was overjoyed as I wouldn't have to tax my brains...
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Reviewing - A BIG deal
Read more →I've been buying a lot online these days - guess you could attribute it to the 70% plus sales that the apps keep flashing on my mobile and the fact that shopping has never been easier. Checking out the latest trends by browsing on my mobile from the comfort of my bedroom is becoming addictive - or so my husband wails! However, there's a BIG problem here which m sure is common to a lot of us online buyers. How does one know that what one sees is what one gets? The pics appear great - all edited. The...
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Krishna Connection anyone?
Read more →A lots new with us! We love Krishna & hope you do too. Most of you who've been following, buying and supporting us, would already know how a lot of our paintings & products (such as hand painted dress materials) are featured on Lord Krishna. So, we introduce to you new designs of Palm leaf prints based on the many moods of Krishna. Have a look, you're sure to fall in love with HIM! Look closely at the pictures and you'll see that these are prints on palm leaves stuck/stitched together. The frames are made from golden grass (called 'kaincha' colloquially)...
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A side take on Advaita Products - As ice breakers that make great conversation topics!
Read more →Hi, I'm Vikas Dimri and I'm excited about being a guest blogger here today for Advaita Handicrafts. Advaita Handicrafts is owned by Leena, who's a good friend of mine but allow me to clarify that it was I who suggested a small blog post for Advaita on my own. I did so, because I'm genuinely in love with the products of Advaita, it's business philosophy and I myself own quite a few of their products. Of course, Leena was delighted. Well, I have a couple of Advaita Handicraft products at home and I must say, they almost always serve as ice...
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Why are we so passionate about Patachitra Paintings
Read more →Well finally! I now understand what a colleague of mine meant when she told me that she woke up at 5 am every morning and spent the first hour just staring at paintings that she loved! Back then I thought she was crazy to be giving up an extra hour of sleep. I feel her passion now and have Patachitras to thank for it. Never heard of this form of art? Fret not, a little bit of history and a couple of pictures are at hand. I myself knew little of Patachitras a year ago and still know little, but...
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Orissa Diaries - 1
Read more →My Odisha visit, this year was special for another reason (other than the fact that I had a great time sourcing new products) - I visited my village - Aul (Patamundai) after exactly 20 years. For the past 2 years I have been visiting Odisha to source for Advaita Handicrafts. At Advaita Handicrafts, we work with artisans based in Odisha and source our products from them. The idea is to help generate work for the artisans & popularize local Odiya handicrafts outside in India as well as overseas. For more information on our products, you can visit http://advaitahandicrafts.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/Advaitahandicrafts I started in...
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How the value chain can really add value
Read more →In continuation to my previous blog on 'Sustenance - what impacts it?', I've put down my views on how various challenges to sustenance such as high prices, low inputs on design & production processes etc can be tackled by various players in the value chain. The government has to act quickly and save these endangered art forms by creating & developing markets (state handloom & handicraft corporations/ exhibitions/ fairs/ Trade shows) for these. It in turn has to buy from these artisans ensuring fair remuneration & livelihood generation. It has to actively employ qualified designers to train of artisans in product...
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Sustenance - What impacts it?
Read more →Maya Angelou - the famous american poetess who passed away on 28th May 2014, wrote - "When members of a society wish to secure that society's rich heritage,they cherish their arts and respect their artists.The esteem with which we regard the multiple cultures of our country, enhances our possibilities for healthy survival & continued social development." She wrote this about the USA, but it's so true for every country including ours (India) . I've highlighted some key words in blue & these words lead to mean 'sustainability' So, will just cherishing and feeling an affiliation for arts & crafts originating...