Blogs by Tanishqa Patil

A traditional art form originated from the land of Gujrat, Mata ni pachedi is the pride of the nomadic Vaghari community. Mata ni pachedi translates to “ behind the mother goddess” a kind of regional cloth painting made for the worship of Matas. Living along the banks of the Sabarmati river in Gujrat, the inferior caste of the village was not allowed to visit the temples. Hence, they began creating the paintings about 3000 years ago. The Mata ni pachedi paintings were generally used as a backdrop or canopies in their temporary wooden temple as a symbol of devotion.

The festival of Onam is celebrated as a Hindu festival in association with the mythological story of lord Vishnu and Asura king Mahabali. According to the regional texts the king of ancient India, Mahabali defeated the gods to rule three worlds. Kerala flourished under the rule of Mahabali which made the gods quite insecure because of the popularity of Mahabali. Gods reached out to Lord Vishnu for help, and Vishnu turned into a short Brahman asking the ruler for three steps. Mahabali accepted the request even when his guru warned him about the god's plan, and soon the Vaman avatar of Vishnu turned almost as big as the three worlds. He covered the earth in one step, heaven in another and as there was no space left for his third step Mahabali offered his head to Vishnu portraying his true devotion. Vishnu granted Mahabali a boon in that he could visit his land once a year. That is why Onam is celebrated yearly to celebrate the homecoming of their generous and hearty king Mahabali.

Ghanta is a Sanskrit term for what we know as a ritual bell used in the religious practices of Hinduism. These ritual bells are made out of five to seven auspicious metals related to the planets namely lead (Saturn), tin (Jupiter), Iron (Mars), Copper (Venus), Mercury (Mercury), Silver (the Moon), and Gold (the Sun). Ghanta is carved with intricate designs and patterns of Hindu idols, a clapper is attached to the Ghanta that creates a high-pitched sound when they are rung. Ghanta plays a major role in Hindu rituals and practices for several years, the ringing of the Ghanta is said to invite positive aura and energies to overcome negative influences. Its sound is thought to purify the environment making it cleanse for the sacred rituals. Some Hindu texts justify that the ritual bell is used to honor the Deities to show respect and gesture to their divine presence.

The Mughal emperors conquered most of India spanning from the early 16th century to the middle of the 19th century having a profound impact on Indian jewelry beyond north India. The typical Mughal jewelry style is majorly seen in regions of Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Andra Pradesh, and Odisha. During the iconic rule of Mughal emperors (Akhbar, Shah Jahan, Jahangir) the art of luxurious jewelry-making highly evolved with intricate designs which involved the use of precious stones and metals. Mughal influence introduced a sophisticated approach to Indian jewelry with elaborate patterns and inspiring use of precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. The detailed craftsmanship and legacy of Mughal influence kept on reflecting the rich artistic symbolism of the time.

Oil painting is a process in which pigmented paints are incorporated with drying oils. It is considered to be one of the most respected types of art. World-famous paintings such as The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh and The Kiss by Gustav Klimt were brought to being with oil paints. The most prevalent types of oils used in oil paintings are linseed, walnut, poppy seed, and safflower. Your pick of a certain kind of oil determines the impact on the paint’s properties and the canvas's outcome. The earliest oil paintings were done by a Buddhist artist In Afghanistan dating back to the 7th century AD. The Europeans used earlier oil paint for statues and wood. From the 12th century, its common use for painting began in Northern Europe, and during the Renaissance period usage of oil painting was heightened which led to the removal of the egg tempera paints for the panel paintings. As far as the orthodox icons and wall paintings are considered egg tempera and fresco were relevantly preferred.

Silk sarees have a captivating history in India, playing a vital role in reckoning the cultural heritage of this diverse nation. As we take a look at the rich antiquity of this luxurious garment the history of Indian textiles will surely unfold. The reason for the admiration of the silk sarees is its adaptability. Silk is a naturally derived protein fabric that maintains its texture and has great absorbency. It is non slippery unlike synthetic fabrics and highly compatible with any yarn which makes it perfect for blending. There are cotton silk blend sarees along with zari, which is a silk saree mixed with metallic yarn. Such stunning effects on silk sarees make it the most liked saree of all. Silk sarees are very much loved in India and adopted by various cultural groups. Multiple weaving styles and techniques can be seen in several regions. The Mughals and Persians influenced the silk culture in India. A combination of cultural weaving and foreign techniques led to this unique art form. Every region has its native silk saree mostly hand-woven saree paired with cotton or zari.

Mirrors have a transforming power when it comes to changing the perspective of a space. Using mirrors in your home in the right way can broaden the field of vision and provide any space with a feeling of spaciousness by enhancing the architectural elements. Mirrors are usually meant to serve the basic requirement of grooming and appearance check, but in addition to being a useful component, they also have some aesthetic value, and power to allure the vibe of the interior space they are placed in.

India is a land full of heritage and rich textile traditions consisting of various regional classifications of people. Every state has its own culture and unique skills, providing a vast and diversified spread of cultural knowledge and upliftment. There were a variety of factors that influenced the significance of textile and cultural heritage back in the time, Mughal era, British Raj, post-independence era, as well as the emerging contemporary trends are some of the leading justifications for that. Through all of it, Indian heritage is rooted deep in the beliefs and values of our ethnic legacy. The textile of India consists of a variety of materials that are derived from natural and synthetic fabrics like cotton, silk, and wool jute, which are then weaved and sewed into graceful pieces of clothing. Apart from that, a variety of crafts and skills like hand embroidery, dyeing, chikankari, etc, are still practiced and appreciated in several parts of the country.

Friendship Day is a day to celebrate your friendships with your chums, to relive the moments that you shared, and most importantly a day to cherish a never-ending bond that you have created along the way. Friendships are never planned, they are undoubtedly the most unexpected thing to ever take place, it is a pure and innocent bond between the two individuals. What starts as a simple bond ends up being a ride-or-die. From being out on crazy day-outs, bunking and sneaking out of a class, to the lowest of times friends have seen it all. They are someone who knows you inside out, far more than your blood relations but still never end up judging you for who you are and that is what we call a true friendship. Let’s showcase our appreciation towards our friends by delivering thoughtful friendship day gifts to them right from our hearts in the form of little tokens of love. Here we have a list of unique gifting options for friends to cater to the liking of your fussiest of companions which you can choose from that will surely make friendship day a memorable one for you and your buddies.

A home should be a collective representation of the things you find meaningful and love which helps spread an ambiance throughout the space that will end up being a good combination between the old and new which will surely provide a fresh and different look rather than a shabby one. Rustic pieces have been appreciated lately as a collector's item for some and decor for many, whatever your reason might be, antiques are a great way of portraying detailed craftsmanship into a modern design. There is a huge variety of finds that one can look for to add more uniqueness and jazz to your space without thinking much about it. Let’s look for ways to incorporate textured artifacts into your already existing modern decor.

Monsoon is a special time of year, a season that delivers a wave of relief and happiness. After an extended summer, the monsoon arrives. Most likely, the rainy season might be the time to unwind and take advantage of the cooler weather for some. However, the rains always bring back nostalgia and a sense of comfort. Standing on our balconies looking at the prolonged shower of rain pouring down from the sky and drenching everything that comes in contact with it, the earthy essence of the soil that smells like nothing but calmness and nostalgia, tiny little birdies hiding under a roof shaking water off their quill, are some of the little things that bring joy to many. Even though it feels awesome to do so, keeping our doors and windows open to enjoy the weather for a longer time often leads to several drawbacks like foul smell, dirt, and even musty clothes. Rain can take a toll on us very easily leaving behind an unpleasant environment across your home, so here are several tips regarding home decor ideas and living room inspiration that you can follow to keep your space fresh and well-maintained while you are busy soaking in the monsoon feels.