Charming copper-coated iron bells, from Kutch in Gujarat, evoke a world of sound and tonal memories entrenched deeply in the subcontinent’s cultural landscape. As Mohammad Adham, a bell-maker, runs his fingers through a row of bells he has strung up for display, a series of enchanting notes gently filter into the surrounding area. Seeing my […]
Wooden lacquer from Gujarat is famous for its exquisite beauty and vibrant colors. The nomadic tribal community of Vadhas in the Nirona region of Kutch is highly talented in making wooden objects with lac colouring. Teak wood or hard mango wood are commonly used for the purpose. In Girona village around 40 families are engaged […]
Mashru is a mixed fabric, comprising a combination of cotton and silk. It was used mainly by Muslim men, who were prohibited from wearing pure silk. It was woven all over India but the craft is now practised mainly in Gujarat. Mashru combines ikat patterns in stripes along with woven patterns, through the introduction of […]