Friday, November 27, 2009

Pottery from Bhuj (Gujarat), Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), Basketry from Bhutan, Bags from Avni (Uttaranchal), Handloom curtains in all hues and colors



Pottery has traditionally been a locally and environmentally sustainable craft in Bhuj. The sources of all the natural resources needed to turn earth into pottery are local. Local clay, local white clay, water, thorns and tender stems from the Prosophis Julifera plant, jaru leaves, and black stone which are used in the making are found in the potters’ villages.





Bamboo and cane crafts in Bhutan is known as (Tsharzo), bamboo and tall perennial grass found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The dyeing of bamboo and cane in order to make colorful products was adopted in the 1970s. Traditional natural colors include Yellow, green, natural, blue-purple, or maroon.





Urmul manages the Bajju embroidery which is famous for its quality and range of designs that it produces on garments, soft furnishings and bags. The primary colours of red, black, white, golden yellow and green viridian are used


Friday, November 20, 2009

Fresh stock from Timbaktu Organic



Fresh stock of organic food has arrived from Timbaktu. The following products are now available in the store:

Foxtail Millet - Korra

1

Korra rice

Organic

2

Korra rava

Organic

Little Millet - Saama

3

Sama rice

Organic

4

Sama rava

Organic

Great Millet - Jowar

5

Jowar flour

Organic

6

Jowar rava

Organic

Finger Millet - Ragi

7

Ragi flour

Organic

8

Ragi malt

Organic

Peanuts

9

Peanuts Oil

Organic



For interesting recipes of these foods, visit http://timbaktu-organic.org/custprmilletrecipe.html





Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

Prints from Sanganeer



The block printed textiles of Sanganer became famous in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, when the East India Company began to export them in bulk. Today, there are over 154 block printing units in Sanganer, and these employ around 20,000 people. There are around 3000 families engaged in this Rajasthani craft.


Colors have special significance in Sanganer and Bagru prints. For instance, red is the color of love, yellow of spring, indigo of Lord Krishna, and saffron of the yogi (seer). The wooden blocks that are used are made of teak wood. And traditionally, vegetable dyes made of madder, pomegranate rind, indigo, and turmeric are used.


Some photographs of hand-block printing for dāram garments at Sanganer :