Emperor Ashoka is widely credited with the journey of Buddhism from a regional, Sangha and monk based religion to a widespread way of life, spanning countries and populations. And this journey rests within the personal transformation of Ashoka’s life; from a cruel Read More …
The Journey – in search of Odisha Ikat Khandua and Maniabandha handloom It was a hot summer morning in the month of May. We set out in a rented car from Cuttack towards a village called ‘Maniabandha’ in the Athagarh Read More …
Weaving away dreams with silver wire I was visiting my home town of Cuttack, Odisha during Diwali after 24 long years. Diwali is more popularly celebrated as Kali Puja in Odisha and other eastern states of India. During my childhood Read More …
Planning the trip – over hot tea and pakoda It was a wintry evening in Kolkata and some of us friends were gathered together. We were all members of the World Art Organisation. A splendid chat was developing over cups Read More …
The lost heritage I walked into a 200-year-old mansion the other day. I had been to the one next door to it many times with friends visiting Kolkata. That was Marble Palace, a grand mansion dating back to 1835 sitting like Read More …
My connection with Rabindranath I haven’t seen Rabindranath Tagore. Indeed I was born long after he had passed away. But he is intricately associated with every facet of my life. I am a dancer and as such don’t work with Read More …
Terracotta – the baked earth Risen from the earth, a manifestation of man’s proximity to and dependence on nature – the Terracotta (literally ‘baked earth’) workmanship is inherent to the red soil region of Bishnupur in the Bankura District of Read More …
Sunset in the Sunderbans Bengal – the melting point of art and culture Bengal has always had a reputation as the heart of art and literature in our country. It has been a place of great interest to curators, architects Read More …
A Canvas from the Past In a country as ancient as ours, a culture enriched with traditional arts and crafts, unchanged over the centuries, coexisting with twenty-first century technology is hardly surprising. Amidst this cultural confluence, there are Read More …
Baluchari sarees feature beautifully hand-woven mythological figures and stories on silk, which make them unique and distinctive. Since the weaving community mainly resides in Bishnupur area of West Bengal, they are also known as Bishnupuri sarees. The history of this Read More …