Handmade posters get a new lease of life

Fashion designer Nida Mahmood’s creations exhibited at the recent Fashion Week in New Delhi include jackets printed with memorable lines from classic Hindi films such as “Sholay” and “Don”, while the faces of superstars such as Amitabh Bachchan adorn bright wraps. Nida says her clothes are a throwback to the now outdated art of painting [...]

Urdu calligraphy fading out in a digital age

A couple of years back, on a visit to India, we visited a couple of palaces in and around Jaipur, Rajasthan. Exhibits in the palaces date back to the Moghul era. Personally, I was awed by the  skill and style of the calligraphers. (Prior to that I had taken a few classes in English Calligraphy [...]

Mechanization of arts

A photographer’s look the disappearing arts in India gives us a moment to pause and reflect the changing times we live in. A series of exhibitions in various cities brings these arts and the artisans into our realm to think about what we are losing as we progress towards mechanization and speed.
“This isn’t about looking [...]

Angora shawls make a comeback

Angora shawls are made from the wool obtained from the German breed rabbit named  ‘Angora.’  Art of making Angora shawls is traditional in Sikkim.
In order to revive the lost interest of customers, the State Handloom Department in Sikkim is focusing on incorporating new motifs and designs.  Traditionally the designs were limited to variations in [...]

Program of identifying skilled artisans in villages

The International Border Area People’s Welfare Organization will be surveying border villages of Nagaland to identify skilled artisans. Aim of the survey is to provide financial and marketing assistance to these people to help improve their livelihood and maintain the traditional craft forms of the region.  Read more here.
Traditional art in India is under [...]

Arts Academy left high and dry

Aim of  an ‘Art Academy’ is to promote, and nuture the various arts, especially those indigenous to that area.  Well, to have an ‘Art Academy’ logistically speaking, it should have a building. According to reports, the State Government of Manipur has been asking the ‘Manipur State Kala Academy’ to shift its office to make room [...]

Sikkim youth learn traditional art of carving and painting

Thangka paintings are traditional  paintings depicting the life of Buddha, Hindu Gods, and Goddesses. It is believed to have originated in present day Bihar. Art of Thangka paintings are very old and believed to be practiced as early as 3rd century  BC.  Painted on canvas and mounted in silk brocade, creating a Thangka painting is [...]

Shumang Leela dying in Manipur

‘Shumang Leela’  does not seem to have any audience.  This traditional form of performing art native to Manipur has lost its audience to the digital age. Co-operation from the government and masses is necessary to revive the numerous arts that have been part of our culture for many years. These arts carry with them an [...]

Northeast wins Thai hearts with handicrafts

Trirong Suwankiri, former deputy Prime Minister and adviser to present Prime Minister of Thailand, drew the loudest cheers as he posed in a colourful Naga jacket. The day could not have been more apt for the cultural bonding — India’s Republic Day. The occasion was the inauguration of the first exhibition on indigenous handicrafts of [...]

Handicraft training workshop begins in Nagaland

The handicraft items produced in Nagaland are attracting a large numbers of buyers from abroad. To keep the tradition alive and humming among the youth of Nagaland, a 90 day vocational training workshop on bamboo and wood craft products has been organised at the Pusa Craft centre.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the Parliamentary Secretary for [...]