Editor's Picks

Coloured Glass-Gems Necklace With Star-Shaped Drops Pendant And Matching Bunched Danglers

The right bit of accessories could uplift any and every outfit, which is what we bear in mind whenever we go shopping for our jewellery section. The set you see on this page has been handpicked for the plethora of colours and drops and quirks that it has been made with. A lace of interconnected sterling silver loops punctuated with coloured glass gems, gathers in a complex pendant. It is a star-shaped cut-glass pendant, of a dark alluring colour. Its considerable size is enhanced by the studded silver outline that gives it the statement contour.

From this pendant emerges a series of drops comprising of sterling silver loops (similar to the necklace), each of which ends in a berry-shaped bunch of miniscule gemstones in red, gold, and silver colours. A set of laces join two lateral points of the star-pendant with the necklace, from the the ends of which emerge two more drops. The matching danglers comprise of a bunch of similar drops on each ear. What make this set a must-buy is the fact that it would go with many different colours and styles of outfits, and the soft feminine sound it will make as you motion would be a sweet, almost mysterious announcement of your presence.

Devi Parvati, The Himalayan Maha-Tapasvini

From the point of view of iconography, Mata Parvati (mother) is the most interesting Devi. Her roopa-svaroopa are many compared to other feminine divinities of the Hindu pantheon. She is Gauri, the daughter of Himalaya; She is Parvati, the most beautiful bride in all of triloka, who belongs to Lord Shiva; She is Uma, His wife, Her prakriti a complement to His purusha, and mother of Kartik and even baal-Shiva (child-form) Himself. It is not only eclectic, but also paints a life-sketch of the entity that you see on this page. It is Parvati as Gauri, the maha-tapasvini (great practitioner of spiritual austerities). She stands lithe and long-limbed on a multi-tiered, inverted lotus pedestal in all the sthirsnigdhata (divine composure) of a being from the sacred mountains.

The workmanship overflows with not only skill but also great personal devotion. A hallmark of each work of art that goes into our collection, She is composed in the best proportions of the feminine form. The templetop crown that towers above Her head highlights Her stature, the lotus engraved on it a symbol of Her maternal compassion. Her lines sculpted on to Her countenance convey a composure of invincible calm and piety. Streams of gold and jewels grace Her shoulders, arms, and torso, and a richly embroidered silk dhoti is draped onto Her from the navel downwards. Her right arm seemingly holds a lotus. This murti will single-handedly add a world of stability to your space.

Bhaishajyaguru (Medicine Buddha), Our Complete Spiritual Apothecary - Brocadeless Thangka

The Bhaishajyaguru roopa of the Buddha is distinctive. From the unmistakable azure of His skin to the healing elements in His hands - the sprig of arura (myrobalan), palm facing outward in blessing, the bowl of ambrosia in the other. His complexion comes from His skylike, all-encompassing wisdom. Myrobalan is the primary ingredient of the major part of Tibetan medicinal compounds as expounded in The Four Tantras Of Secret Instructions On The Eight Branches Of The Essence of Immortality (texts of the age-old Tibetan medical tradition). In His bowl are contained three nectars of resurrection from disease and death, of age-reversal, and of knowledge that illuminates the mind.

Seated in the highly characteristic poorna-padmasana, Bhaishajyaguru is surrounded by the lush Tibetan landscape dotted with medicinal plants and petals. A richly coloured lotus pedestal is His throne, and in His mandala are to be found a clutch of peaceful Buddhist deities. At the core of Tibetan medical philosophy lies the tenet that external medicine has limited application to healing and that the root of all illness is one's inattention to the true nature of self. The reason why Bhaishajyaguru, as you see Him on this page, is our complete spiritual apothecary is because His mandala can be penetrated only after one's discovery of the healing forces within oneself.

Diskette-Drop Paisley Anklets (Price Per Pair)

These anklets are an example of superb Indian workmanship. For a country that has no mines of its own and exports all it has by way of silver, the finesse of the silversmithing makes it worth the price. A strip of dual-layered paisleys are arranged to sit on your ankles, from which drop a plethora of shining silver diskettes. These will catch light and reflect it as your feet motion, and produce the characteristic susurrous sound of the precious metal. These anklets are very different from the ones worn by classical dancers in India, and are more suited as an element of a traditional ensemble.

While anklets like these are traditionally worn by married women around the house - indeed, these would make an amazing wedding or anniversary gift for a married woman - nowadays it is a fashion statement to don these even when one is unmarried. While simpler, trendier ones abound that are designed to be worn on just one ankle, the ones you see on this page have more of a traditional spin that is best preserved by being worn in a pair. Not only will this announce your presence moments before you walk in anywhere, but also end up being a one-of-a-kind conversation-starter.

Multi-Colored Long Ghagra Skirt From Jaipur with Patch Work and Wide Golden Border

A Rajasthani ghagra makes for a distinctively youthful pick when it comes to ethnic fashion. Fashionable in the Northernwestern desert, the kind of ghagra that you see on this page is usually worn by unmarried girls with matching cholies and a dupatta draped over the head. The colour palette is diverse and vibrant - black, purple, and red, punctuated by inky purple and pink. Gold-coloured lines and motifs are superimposed on each streak of colour covering the length of the ghagra, which makes this a good one to team with a wide range of coloured cholies and dupattas.

The statement border sets this apart from your run-of-the-mill Rajasthani ghagras. It is thick and woven from gold-coloured fabric into multiple panels. A thick strip of gold lattice is framed by solid gold panels, which are further hemmed in by a strip of pink lace. A matching solid gold band trimmed with more pink lace defines the waistline of the ghagra. This makes it a glamorous number designed to be worn on special occasions as opposed to usual ghagras made from homegrown cotton that are worn around the house.

Vaishnava Universe With Rama-Krishna-Jagannath Panels

Pattachitra is an age-old aspect of life in Orissa. It is the name given to drawings made using endemic pigments and techniques on a fabric canvas prepared locally by hand. The one you see on this page has a tussar pata-astra, a homegrown variety of silk whose unmistakable ivory colour has acquired a sunset tint post tamarind-gum and chalk (khadi lagi) treatment. The theme of the painting is spiritual in keeping with patachitra tradition. It features Lord Rama with Lord Hanuman situated in His heart, Lord Krishna with His beloved Radha in the foreground, and the tilak-graced countenance of Lord Jagannath in three central panels (from the bottom upwards). Episodes from the life of Purushottam Rama has been illustrated in a series of smaller circular panels that run laterally along the chitra as well as along the bottom. Zooming in on the panels would enable you to appreciate the level of detail incorporated with the help of such rudimentary technique.

Speaking of technique, the finished pata-astra is first demarcated into panels, which is followed by sketching with conch-water (tipana). This is crucial to the finish that emerges later on. What ensues is a dynamic technique that almost amounts to ritual - luga pindha (painting on the divine raiment), then alankara lagi (painting on the divine ornaments). Finally, the work is finished with thick black colouring wherever required (mota kala), then delicate outlining to complete the details (saru kala). In other words, the chitra before you is a high-precision work that has taken an eye-watering proportion of time and skill and labour to be made. The most wondrous aspect of this painting is the composition of the Jagannath mukhmandal, with each feature made of tinier, more detailed panels depicting the Lord Vishnu.

37" The Ethereal Sarasvati Cradles her Veena In Brass | Handmade | Made In India

This is an unusual Devi Sarasvati composition. Brass sculptures of the Devi abound, even inlaid ones; but the workmanship of this one is one-of-a-kind. She is chaturbhujadhari, as is the norm with Her iconography, and She is seated in lalitasana on an inverted lotus pedestal. She is wearing a gorgeous saree, and shringar and a haloed crown to match, each aspect of which has been highlighted with ample proportions of inlay. Even the pothi and the bird She holds in Her posterior arms are inlaid in keeping with the composite finish. In Her anterior hands She cradles a veena. Her stance is so lifelike - from the angle at which Her head is lowered to the expression on Her brow as She gazes lovingly at Her veena.

It is the details that sets this composition apart from your run-of-the-mill Devi Sarasvati murtis. From Her long, beauteously sculpted fingers and feet to the dynamic composure of countenance. Strategically positioned inlay, hair flowing about Her shoulders, and a gracious crown that befits Her divine glamour add to the perfection of this work. Indeed She looks Her part - wife of none other than Lord Brahma, She is the Hindu Devi of learning and the fine arts. In fact, He presides over the creative process, to which knowledge - over which She presides - is indispensable. Placing this murti somewhere in your space would fill it with a divine calm and stability that are conducive to the learning and to the practice of art.

Studded Rainbow Moonstone Bracelet

The moonstone is a semi-precious gem of unputdownable beauty. Clasped around your hand, this bracelet studded with rainbow moonstones would add quirk to even your everyday outfits. In India, this milky white variety with VIBGYOR undertones, rightly called the rainbow moonstone, is the harbinger of good fortune. Hence, the charming bracelet that you see on this page is more than a thing of beauty - it is a piece of sacred jewellery. If exchanged as a gift between lovers, the moonstone is believed to arouse a kind of passion that is tender and bring knowledge of the future of one's togetherness.

This elegant bracelet comes with a string of seven rainbow moonstones studded into sterling silver foundation. The clasp is adjustable in order to accommodate varying wrist girth, so if your friends wanted to try it on - something they might not be able to resist - it would look perfectly good. You could even pair this with when you are experimenting with an Indian suit, lehenga, or saree in order to add a layer of sophistication to your ensemble. No matter what you team this with, such a versatile accessory is sure to be the conversation-starter everywhere.

Mineral-Yellow Paithani Sari with Hand Woven Peacocks on Aanchal

No wonder Paithani sarees have royal associations. The sheer degree of skill and labour that goes into fashioning these nine yards of Southern Maharashtrian silks justifies the beauty and luxury appeal of these sarees. The one you see on this page bears the hallmarks of the endemic Indian silk. A rich earthy colour, yellow in this case; coloured silk patterns (handwoven peacocks) functioning as supplementary-weft inlay against the pale gold zari of the pallu; and a painstakingly achieved oblique-square weave on the hem.

The silk of this saree is super-fine and will sit luxuriously against your skin as you drape it. While this would be a statement pick for an evening do, the colour is such as would fit into a puja ambience as well. A mix of your hand-me-down jewels and fresh flowers would bring out the gorgeousness of this saree. If you zoom in on the pure silk field, you could make out miniscule paisley-shaped booties made in pale gold thread that add to the glamour of this number.

A Moment Of Inward Reminiscence Of A Mughal Princess

There is much an elegant no-nonsense watercolour could do for your interiors, and this painting is just the one to pick if you have only begun experimenting with Indian art. The theme is simple and beauteous, such that you cannot go wrong with it. Midway through enjoying a leisurely walk on the palace grounds, a Mughal princess stops because a particularly beautiful flower of the fall has caught her eye. With her long, painted fingers she plucks it from underneath the tree swaying gently to the late afternoon winds of the season, an element of dynamicism that has been conveyed with a superb skill of the brush. As she stands there having taken in its scent and pulled back, she cuts a lovely picture in her flowing robes of pink and green and gold booties.

From the background of it, it looks like she has emerged quite a distance from her palace. The fields around her are plain and a pale green; and not a single tree or bush tended to by the famously skilled Mughal gardeners are within view any longer. A soufflé of the highly characteristic cirrocumulus clouds dominate the skies visible at a distance into the background. Just like those clouds, the princess seems to have wandered in her thoughts to a time, probably to an individual, that the scent of the flower reminds her. Her composure of countenance - and what a fair, soft-featured countenance that is - is one of plunging solemnity, almost sombre. Perhaps no sleep is slated to visit her aching mind the ensuing night.