Hues from Dastakar Nature Bazaar 2010

Craft Bazaars and Melas have a special place in my heart, the colourful ambience with India's rich art & crafts displayed by artisans are a treat to the eyes...

Here are some frames from the colourful Dastakar Nature Bazaar.

Loved the vibrant kites, how magical a room would look with loads of them hanging from the ceiling!

Never tire of these colourful baskets made of wild grass.

Dastakar's Ranthambore Project. The Tiger motifs on bedspreads, cushion covers were so charming:-)

Mirror mirror on the wall, can you spot me at all;-)

Beautifully crafted paper-mache' birds from Orissa

Handmade Dolls

Gorgeous terracotta pots, jars and pans from Kumbham Pottery, Kerala

Intricate Kantha work on silk from West Bengal

Want to hang some pink elephants and blue fish?

Some beautifully crafted baskets and home accessories

The Dastakar Nature Bazaar is on till the 15th August, 2010.

(Images by Arch)

Art & Crafts of India #7: Gond Tribal Painting

Gond Tribal Painting is done by Gondi people who live in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh & Orissa.

Gondi people pray to various Gods & spirits. These paintings like various other tribal art is done on the walls of the houses. The depiction of their environment in the form of forests, trees, animals, birds is prominent in the paintings. Lord Krishna dancing on the serpent head, part of the Hindu mythology.

Beautiful depiction of animals.Black & White Gond paintings from www.indiahandicraftstore.com
Serpent's Head Tree by renowned Gond painter Bhajju Shyam.

Bhajju Shyam's work won a State award in 2001 and today he has illustrated 'The London Jungle Book' by Tara Books.

Lovely art form from the tribal forests of Gond. Amazing colours & intricate workmanship makes it a winner.
Already on my list of 'To-Buy':-)

(images from indiahandicraftstore.com, resurgence.org, tarabooks.com, shot at Chitrakala Parishad )

Arts & Crafts of India # 6: Pipli Applique Work

Pipli Applique & Patchwork from Orissa is a traditional handicraft in which colourful patches of fabric cut in the form of decorative motifs and animals are super imposed on other contrasting fabrics and sewn in.Absolutely love these vibrant giant umbrellas which are usually made during the festive occasion of the 'Rath Jatra' or Festival of Chariot in Puri.
These can be used as beach umbrellas or parasols in your balconies & gardens.

Love the interesting patchwork with mirrors.Bring in some Pipli Work into your homes in the form of wall hangings, cushion covers and these amazing lampshades.

Can almost visualised these lampshades brightening up an outdoor party with their colourful hues...

( images from kraftmenz.com, dristeehaat.com)

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)

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)