Understanding Pichwai & its Origins Pichwai ( Pichhvai ) is a form of art that originated over 400 years ago in the temple town of Nathdwara near Udaipur in Rajasthan. The term “Pichwai” has come about because these artworks are hung literally “piche” or behind the temple deity and “wai” literally means a textile hanging. […]
Handmade
The Charming Art of Hoop Embroidery
What is Embroidery? To put it in simple words, it’s the art of creating decorative designs and motifs on fabric using just a needle and thread. The magic is in the different types of stitches and their use in creating a finished piece of Embroidery – which can be as rough or fine as one […]
Your Artisanal Gifting Guide For This Wedding Season
Amidst the endless planning and the numerous outfit and jewelry fixes for your favourite cousin or best friend’s wedding – the single most important thought that keeps crossing one’s mind is getting the perfect wedding gift for the happy couple. How does one ensure it is special and unique? Should it be a personalised gift […]
The Timeless Trend of Temple Jewelry
The timeless and classic allure of Temple Jewellery – has over time been an intrinsic part of a woman’s jewelry box – especially in the Southern part of India. Inspired by historic architecture, paintings and statues of temples, gods and goddesses, South Indian Temple Jewellery is traditionally made of gold and embedded with precious gems […]
The Story of A Mask. And Hope.
In these turbulent times – of fear and uncertainty in the times of COVID-19, the SVATANYA women refuse to be bogged down. Doing what we do best and joining hands with World Art Community, we are leaving no stone unturned to handcraft beautiful, reusable cotton fabric masks. We are proud to share that you can […]
Chanderi’s Gossamer Weaves
It’s fan following includes craft aficionados, movie stars, and folk like you and me. The timeless Chanderi – be it in the form of a sari, or fabric or a wrap now has a special place in our hearts and our ethnic Indian wardrobe. The weave is from a small town of the same name […]
The Heritage of ‘Ikat’
It’s hard to miss the popularity of the “ikat” weave. Found in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America , this hand-woven fabric is used for apparel, furnishing and more. The “ikat” weave is much appreciated for its beauty alone, but also because it’s complicated pattern is difficult to craft, especially when several colours are part […]
Five Ways to Feng-Shui Your Home Office During Lockdown ( You don’t need to buy anything )
None of us would have thought this would happen. Even a month ago. With WFH or work-from-home becoming the new normal – there are some of us who have taken to it like fish to water and another lot of us who are still struggling to deal with it. This new and unfamiliar reality with […]
Easy & Enjoyable DIY Crafts For Our Times
We are all in the middle of truly challenging situations. And the world as we know it – will never ever be the same again. As employees work from home, children are off from school, families deal with new scenarios, health workers and governments battle it out on the frontlines – the situation is changing […]
Following the Chamba Rumal Craft Trail
Ensconced in a deep valley next to the Ravi river, the town of Chamba still remains charmingly untouched by modern life – with its ancient temples, heritage homes, palaces and an amazing museum that documents the history and culture of the area. Founded in 920 AD when Raja Sahil Varman moved his capital here from […]