Want some killer pizzas?

Head straight to Hampi...
No kidding.
This place caters to the gastronomic needs of people from all over the world.

I am sure a little spelling mistake won't deter you from trying out some fantastic food or the hair cutting salon for that matter...;-)

Art & Crafts of India #5: Madhubani Paintings

'Madhubani' is one of my favourite arts from IndiaWould have covered this art sometime in the future, but on the suggestion of 'Rang Decor' reader Nivedita I decided to feature it today :-)

Madhubani Painting also known as Mithila Painting. Legend has it that King Janak of Mithila in Bihar commissioned artists to make paintings at the time of the wedding of his daughter Sita to Lord Rama.( Lord Krishna dancing on the head of Kaliya the snake)

Madhubani Paintings are usually done on freshly plastered mud walls of homes in Mithila. Vegetable dyes are used in the paintings and the skills are passed on from one generation to the next.
Goddess from indian-art.net'Midst the Ocean' by Bharti Dayal
Interesting simple black & white Madhubani painting on handmade paper.

Some decor ideas using Madhubani painting... A whole wall painted by artist Shivan Paswan at art connoisseur Rajshree Pathy's home. ( Lovely!)
Colourful bulls and red flower compliment the mutli-coloured Madhubani Painting in Mallika's room.
Group together small Madhubani Paintings

You can bring in this colourful art into your home not only in the form of paintings but also home accessories like magazine holders, napkin holders, lamps etc.
Paper-mache' Madhubani magazine holderMy favourite Madhubani Napkin Holder.

Today I am featuring one of my very talented Flickr friends arty_zen from Singapore. She does Madhubani paintings on mundane things and converts them into pieces of art.

A hand fan converted into a lovely piece of art
A plain lampshade gets transformed into a luminous glowing Madhubani art.
Colourful coasters that would enliven any space:-)
Wonderful colour combinations.

Another beautiful art of India that can bring colours into your lives...

(some images from indian-art.net, dayalbharti & arty_zen on flickr and the rest by Arch)

Hampi: Part 1

My head is filled with images of Hampi & my heart hasn't returned from there yet...

Till I assimilate all that we experienced in Hampi during our fantastic holiday with family, here are some colours, patterns, graphics, shapes & textures from the trip.

Pink & Red Kumkum hills...
Lemon & Goli Soda...
Multi-coloured tourist-y T-shirts...
Interesting slippers...Colourful mirror & embroidery embellishments by LambanisRent a gear-less scooter...

Enjoy! Will be back soon...

Food, Photography & Chai...

* No, no..I am not suffering from the after effects of 'Under the Tuscan Sun....
* Sunday cleaning of my book shelf yielded an amazing result.
* Result being a beautiful cook book gifted by my Mother-in-law few years back.
* What was it doing on a bookshelf for few year? Beats me!
* Italy- The Vegetarian Table by Julia Della Croce.
* Photography by Deborah Jones *Swoon*
* Many 'Colours of my life' in one place- Food, Photography, Exotic Destination (This can't be a coincidence?)
* I mean look at this...her rustic styling, attenion to detail, lighting...transports me to an imaginary world which I guess would be Italy, food cooked by Julia Della Croce, photographed by Deborah Jones and me enjoying all this & sipping my hot cup of chai... Will be away for a couple of days...will see you in a while...
Take care and enjoy your cup of chai...

Sangolda, Goa

Sangolda in Goa is a 200 year old portuguese mansion owned by Claudia, a German Fashion Stylist and her Mumbai-bred husband Hari Ajwani.This mansion houses hand-picked exquisite pieces sourced from Gujarat, Rajastha & Kerala in India as well as abroad.

Antique wooden furniture in colonial & ethnic styles, table linen, bed & bath linen, tableware, brass artifacts, wooden almirahs, everything finds a space in this beautiful mansion.Beautiful courtyard with huge iron urlis, layered lamp & bright yellow paint...
Amazing space with exquisite artifacts & antiques...I am completely in love with this antique 5 headed Hanuman ( very unusual)
Wooden furniture, cushions, home linen fill this airy space.Functional display of lifestlye items. Love the terracotta floor tiles...

So next time you visit Goa, do put 'Sangolda' in your to-visit list:-)

( images from Indian Design- Daab)

Art & Crafts of India #4: Stone Sculptures of Mahabalipuram

When I think of 'Stone Sculptures' the first image that comes to mind is the amazing granite stone sculptures of Mahabalipuram, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.There are various styles of stone sculptures in India but today I would like to share the absolutely stunning 'Pallava Style' sculptures from Mahabalipuram.(A small stone Ganesha in my balcony)

Apart from being a Unesco World Heritage Site, Mahabalipuram is also a hub for stone carvings & idols.
The sculptors or sthapathis as they are known in India, have been carrying on this rich tradition of carving from their forefathers where they use Vaastu Shastra as well as mathematical precison for the execution of such exquisite sculptures.
Here you'll find idols in various sizes and shapes, some specially made for temples, some custom-made for hotels and smaller ones for homes & gardens.
Idols of Hindu Gods & Goddesses such as Ganesha, Gaja-Lakshmi, Shiva, Nandi are common.

Here are some interesting ideas for using stone sculpture in home decor.
(A stone Ganesha in our balcony, I love decorating with fresh flowers:-) This pic is to show ideas for decorating with stone sculptures- This sculpture is Hoysala style*)

These exquisite pieces can be used indoors or in your gardens and balconies along with green plants...
* Will definitely post about Hoysala Style later in this feature:-)

(some images from Inside Outside, October 2005 issue)

Under the Tuscan Sun...

This movie might not have done well at the box office, but this is one of the movies I completely enjoyed...(well.I have a reputation of liking movies which are usually not very popular;-)* The backdrop of vineyards in Tuscany.
* Sunflowers & purple grapes.
* A dilapidated villa called 'Bramasole' with peeling paint.
* Single ornate tap in the middle of the house with no water.
* Of new beginnings in a land unknown.
* Blossoming of friendships.
* Giant wrought Iron bed with Mother Mary's image.
* Italian men on Piaggio scooters.
* Huge kitchen with a black-board for the menu(I love!)
* Olive picking in the olive grove.
* Drinking loads of red wine.
* Lines like ..."It's market day in Cortona, the piazza is an on-going party and everyone is invited".

Could it get any better than this...:-)
I watch then*sigh* then watch then *sigh* then watch.....

This weekend I picked another movie called 'A good year'...why?
You guessed it right!
It is set in the vineyards of Provence;-)

The signboards of a hillstation...

We had such a fantastic time during our holiday in the hills in June this year, I am still recovering from the beauty that enveloped us...I have to share with you these very interesting signboards & nameplates that pointed towards the most beautiful British-style estates & houses.
Very interesting names:-)