Thursday, December 27, 2012

VECHAAR-AN UTENSILS MUSEUM



When we speak of visiting history, we plan a visit to a museum but there are certain noteworthy museums across India that are known not only for their historical significance but offer its visitors timeless memories and a peep into our rich art & craft too. So let’s embark on a journey to some of the amazing museums in our country.




Vechaar- Vishalla Environmental Centre for Heritage of Art Architechture and Research is a beautiful place for all lovers of Indian Heritage. It is an utensils museum, started in 1981 by Mr. Surendra Patel in  Ahmedabad.

Vechaar was set up with the sole intention of knowing more about our traditional utensils and preserving the craft of an era gone by. It has a village like set up. Vishalla houses more than 3000 of such unique & rare utensils, some of which are about 1000 years old.
Mr Surendra Patel has himself painstakingly collected some of these utensils from various place across India. He has a keen sense of observation and has done well in curating these ancient traditional utensils from far off places. He is an Interior designer and the restaurateur at Vishalla

The architecture of the hut-like museum building is quadrangular in shape. It is mud plastered all over, like a hut. There are four small water bodies in the center of the museum, which gives a cooling effect to the whole atmosphere. At the center of these water bodies is a small temple of Lord Shiva . There are no doors inside the campus which makes you feel one with nature

Some of the interesting utensils on display are the ones in copper, brass, terracotta, clay and bronze, which include pots that store water, utensils for cooking and serving, vessel for churning buttermilk, spoons, rolling pins, storage jars, cookers, steamers, casseroles, woks and frying pans, jugs, kettles, bottles and boxes, plates, glasses and bowls, spice-boxes, tiffin-boxes, nutcrackers, infants’ feeding cups, knives and tantric havan kunds. Each item is a priceless piece of history revisited. Some of them have intricate carving and ornamentation.

The utensils in the museum are not guarded and directly for the public to enjoy the touch and feel of an era gone by.



Apart from the museum, Vishalla the restaurant is also a unique concept in itself. It has a village like charm and Mr.Patel has taken utmost care in preserving the traditional values and hospitality generally associated with an Indian village. There are no modern amenities offered in the restaurant. The restaurant aims at giving one a relaxed and peaceful experience and in this process, you have to select the menu and pay the bill at the entrance itself so that you are not worried about the bill that you will incur at the end of your meal.

The restaurant staff is dressed in Indian attire clad in a dhoti kurta and a turban or topi over the head!

The museum as well as the restaurant is open all days except Monday from 3pm to 10 pm. At night too lanterns are used instead of artificial mode of lighting.  Seating is on the ground with wooden plank that serves as a table of sorts. One has to sit cross legged in an Indian fashion which aids digestion and helps you from over eating as the food is unlimited. Special care is taken to have the meal prepared in the most nutritious manner including a lot of greens .Folk songs by folk singers engage you well while having your meal. It is a true village experience with food being served on tree leaves. Head over to VISHAALA on your next trip to Ahmedabad and get enriched in a true Indian experience.
They have a beautiful website: www.vechaar.com







Yearning for more?? I knew it. Do make a trip to this wonderful place and let me know how you liked it!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Story Books illustrated with Indian Folk Art.

 Indian Art and craft  is gaining huge popularity.

To promote awareness, various organisations  are putting in their best efforts.One such attempt that I found intresting is the use of art styles like the GOND ART from Madhya pradesh,PATACHITRA from Orrisa  etc in story books.I think its an effective tool to promote these dying art among  the current and the generation next.
Dastkari Haat Samiti is one such organisation which is working hands on with various publication houses like Pratham Books to develop story books depicting such art forms.


I came to know more about them ,when accidentally I brought a  story book called BULLI AND THE TIGER.The illustrations are superb.and what more its the story of a liitle girl Bulli growing up in Assam illustrated by Nankusiya Shyam in the Gond style.




Then I did some research and found that there are more such books depicting one style of art or the other.Have a look.


A simple yet effective story of Biju, a young weaver boy and his life in a little village in Orissa,

The thorough understanding that the author possesses of the various aspects of 'Ikat weaving' and beautifully illustrated in the patachitra style of Orissa gives the story a new dimension.



 This is the story of Manu, a potter's son. Here  one learns about his life, his hopes, his aspirations, his family and his community. As, Manu learns to collect the clay from the river bed, mix it, make toys, mould pots and bake them in the kiln, one realises that to be a skilled potter is a long and tedious journey.


The illustrations done in the Madhubani style of painting by Shanti Devi, a tribal artist, add to the earthy charm of the story. Children will not only enjoy the simple lines of the illustrations but may want to try their hands at it, as well!




This book takes one on an informative journey on the art of 'chikankari'embroidery of Lucknow.It is illustrated for the first time ever, in the Sanjhi art of paper cutting, by Ram Soni, an award winning artist.


A must see and read for all art and book lovers!!!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Karthikai Deepam

Last week  we celebrated a festival of lights at home.No not Deepavali..

It was Karthikai...

Rows of Agal vilakkus (oil lit lamps) are lit in every house. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(similar to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.

All this while since we are just the two of us,  myself and my younger sis,this festival did not mean much to me but now that I have a son and a daughter,it took on a whole new meaning.
I celebrated it for them!!!


sending across some pics of the same....Also  pics  from here& there accompanies this post.





(Brilliantly done by members of my society!!)


On a lighter note,while I was busy doing the rangoli and my 7 yr old daughter helping me in lighting the lamps and so on,my son just kept looking at us( sucking his thumb!!) and suddenly he was stuck with an idea.. He bought his blocks ,arranged them as best as he could and he says..mamma my rangoli....
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