All that Folk-Sholk

I have had in mind to post about folk art for  some time now. That kitschy, street, utilitarian brand of artifacts that are naive and endearing at the same time.  Before pop art, and kitsch crafts became such trends in the design world were these little hand made objects, appropriating the street and everyday so wonderfully.

Each little  object brings to mind a particular street side, a  mela  or a weekly market one picked them up from. Their rough crude finishes lending texture and fun to nooks. Of course it helps that most of these objects are readily available in a corner bazaar near the home, at dirt cheap prices..
Great ideas for shoe string decor and beyond.
Here are a few snippets from around the house:

Something for the kids this Holi!

A little post about  a fab app developed by a dear friend. 
Hong Kong based Shameeli Sinha in conjunction with  her partner Aarti Khanna have unveiled fabulous apps targeting kids aged 2-10 years compatible with, the iphone, ipad and android devices . The idea is to provide them with fun and engaging ways to learn about Indian culture and languages.

``As children become increasingly technology savvy, we feel the best way to do this is through engaging applications and games, accessible on the web, or on mobile devices, such as smart-phones and tablet PCs'', they say.

The duo launched their first app called  Diwali with Tamarind Tots - related to Diwali late last year.
In time for Holi this year, they offer a burst of  colours with  their new app, Holi with Tamarind Tots. Available in its Lite version for iphone ( sample it here ) The app offers a flavor of the festival of colours allowing kids to celebrate this fun festival on a mobile device. 
Kids get to choose their avatar, celebrate Holika dahan with their friends and engage in a colourful frolic with pichkaaris, gubbare and gulal finally finishing off with yummy Indian food too!
The full app for the iphone is available here, and  for the ipad here .

Do check out their website here, and their facebook page here.


All the best Shameeli and Aarti!!

Metamorphosis

A change of season. Winter fading to spring.  Change of light, change of shadow.  Leaves sprout, buds bloom, winged birds leave and others start to sing tremulous sweet songs of longing and the coming of summer. But before all that there was a driveway flush with colour. Sweet almond trees aflame and the wait for holi and its myriad colours. Had taken a break for  a bit.. emerging now. Like slow shedding of skin and gradual unfolding of a bud, a little new, freshly moulted a little wet, a little wary but hopeful.
Spring is about fresh beginnings and changing light and colour.
Amen to that.

Poonchh by Aarohi

Whoever thought the lowly stray dog could become a fashion statement? I mean the regular mongrel yowling and yelping at every street corner,  something to feel sorry for, or to feel annoyed with, if not too be dealt with complete apathy. He is a regular fact of the busy Indian street life?!
 But then comes an initiative by a young and immensely talented artist Aarohi Singh from Bangalore with a difference,  that aims to change all of that..!

With a range of high fashion goodies, bags, totes, lap top sleeves, i pad covers, wallets, you name it -  Aarohi's  Poonchh collection is all set to launch the humble pariah dog into a fashion icon that will sit on every fashion buffs person with aplomb!.

If you find it as far fetched as it did to me at first, take a look at some of my favorites from the Poonchh Collection

For all of the fabulous range, look here. 

" Fifty per cent of the profits from the sales  of every item in the Poonchh Collection will go towards the welfare of strays in perpetuity," says Aarohi, particularly towards spaying and neutering them. “I believe that, over time, animal birth control and better garbage disposal in our cities will help in solving the problem of strays on our streets.” she adds. 

I have watched Aarohi take up the cause of the stray dogs with mounting awe and admiration these past few days. Can only wish her luck as she prepares to unveil the collection at the 100 ft Boutique in Bangalore,  between the 10th and the 12th of February. (Click here for the event details)

To educate yourself about the cause, go thru the links here and here.

Go grab your poonchh before stuff runs out guys!!

Urban Mosaic at Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2012

The Dye Series

Currently on show at the Kala Ghoda Art Festival Mumbai, a collection of photographs titled ` Urban Mosaic'.  Inviting all readers of the blog to visit the Art Entrance at Army Navy Building, Kala Ghoda between Feb 4th and Feb 12th.

Will be back to this space with more stories soon, until then keep surfin!

The Hindu : Arts / Magazine : An orderly chaos

Pre event review of my upcoming photo exhibition at NCPA Piramal Art Gallery.

Sublime Chaos of Cities, featuring established photographers, Mala Mukerjee and Smita Barooah Sanyal, opens on the 6th of January thru 15th.

Be there guys!

The Hindu : Arts / Magazine : An orderly chaos

Thank You!!!!

This  one is for Vineeta Nair, of the immensely popular, Artnlight - blogger, multi-tasker, foodie, conversationalist, passionate and witty personality and artist extraordinaire.. (There is plenty more facets to her I might be omitting here for sure !)


Have known and admired her work for quite some time now.  I am honoured, privileged and absolutely delighted to find a place on her fabulous blog..!


A humble house, and even the ordinary details have come alive at her hand and keen eye for detail. The few hours we spent together chatting over mugs of tea, and watching her work were delightful and priceless learning. I cannot thank V enough for considering the feature and filling my home with her sunny personality and intelligent wit, for one whole afternoon...
Watch her work magic for yourself ...

here

&

here

Both the Photograhs are by Vineeta Nair .