Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 3.11.2007

Rustic. Simple. Divine.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWst3nj-QasrckIJOb64cJxuL6PJ29RBZOkaEwyiQMIdoUTtX3a21ikSJnmE02tr9bRunz2EY2_aGtedMRZ8cvgcGRbmjGbSrbLQTw9ViC_afb9lHxzWiiq0xcrMXce23k_va5X4uTUNq/s1600-h/diwal8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128425640936359682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWst3nj-QasrckIJOb64cJxuL6PJ29RBZOkaEwyiQMIdoUTtX3a21ikSJnmE02tr9bRunz2EY2_aGtedMRZ8cvgcGRbmjGbSrbLQTw9ViC_afb9lHxzWiiq0xcrMXce23k_va5X4uTUNq/s400/diwal8.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I love the simplicity in this style of decorating. Beauty carved in stone. Pluck flowers from your garden, scatter it all around. Float them in stone diyas ( let your creativity flow:-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-94i8EOhLytY5n0mgNeyBsp4UGjqcnTfui1b_mb_iUgqMD0KzJ7KA8qGIbjVNIUzErau_wkS95MQ-ebFWD4vKGwnWTbfLgQyjkWAoorAmqLU8395qUxuo0v08flR9eOf4bkIEzVCWL_EF/s1600-h/diwali9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128425649526294290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-94i8EOhLytY5n0mgNeyBsp4UGjqcnTfui1b_mb_iUgqMD0KzJ7KA8qGIbjVNIUzErau_wkS95MQ-ebFWD4vKGwnWTbfLgQyjkWAoorAmqLU8395qUxuo0v08flR9eOf4bkIEzVCWL_EF/s400/diwali9.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Put some pebbles in the diya before lighting them. Add a dash of colour with 'Kum-Kum' or Vermillion and you have a simple yet beautiful decoration ready.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FQu_RcQTGPHdMTh5NYbNB-1WXkpX6JxUvTG7c_f0oXOlCbdm8Ciu_jgCkxzCryyCxqp3sCh4XC6i7Wi14Z42I-s2BKMmreyJiwRrpFbfr3W-aq4VqV_ktYoZRfS6hNLqWCxHbcNdEdt7/s1600-h/diwal8.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128425911519299378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLxXOk9jkskkYCyg_nt7dqKv9yk0-RPfP2v0iPAVfP_ZB8l5dA9-b4XcYCkEfTT90_-uwg-qm0ilMLZi7Y9rlziXGLF7vktoI7tPJXWB2odyLXqHPDqPLuADDMqH_atpb1-tGp136qUvB/s400/diwali11.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I float flowers in just about any thing;-) So this was a natural choice, flowers in diyas for beauty & festivity!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)</span></em></div>

Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 3.11.2007

Rustic. Simple. Divine. I love the simplicity in this style of decorating. Beauty carved in stone. Pluck flowers from your garden, scatter i...

Read more »

Art & Crafts of India #4: Stone Sculptures of Mahabalipuram

When I think of 'Stone Sculptures' the first image that comes to mind is the amazing granite stone sculptures of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabalipuram"> Mahabalipuram</a>, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099149691083485890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDDeMgaglq_1cc9wZBG_GQxWy3alD8VpQoz1RfguXsPwWAesqlkt4S9kDyXpWtVQ1rAvI_tKLSn7StP1olTZrzHxO99Oc4XsrJQU4JK2rpM386MFzwTg39_oMHM-EvPvMlsyi889090ce/s400/ssculptures.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />There are various styles of stone sculptures in India but today I would like to share the absolutely stunning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallava">'Pallava Style'</a> sculptures from Mahabalipuram.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099149699673420498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ge4PipzCHDZt6DwXSXYJX1PYomMrc84oNWMo9vI_R9i7O4h2Qqsv_BBi0zx9WERbGTLEcNiCokBldhg8jhDz6XFDiq5Hfl0WB-Vl243W410sgMt5XgZj3oi5E7CpaPhogghR3HTtO6nn/s400/ganesham.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>(A small stone Ganesha in my balcony)<br /></em><br />Apart from being a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site">Unesco World Heritage Site</a>, Mahabalipuram is also a hub for stone carvings & idols.<br />The sculptors or sthapathis as they are known in India, have been carrying on this rich tradition of carving from their forefathers where they use <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaastu_Shastra">Vaastu Shastra</a> as well as mathematical precison for the execution of such exquisite sculptures.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099215305298867010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsaZUvJUQBmPso1QbfxLFpvfAVaDHnm4aj5JB1M8popHH0okuoUjSq32Oda_adDlewb_LA7n70WDDkxHyqDyOohDexhCjZ_005Ix7ZOrtJVX8_52QX49NrjKeBi2k2G6JYIFApCKnbF4S/s400/sulp2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Here you'll find idols in various sizes and shapes, some specially made for temples, some custom-made for hotels and smaller ones for homes & gardens.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099158349737554690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPSQ29woRS3PpJsjzF4vA1223z2qGntsqIfL_xYrte_SI3celafQs-8m8_XL27zfyQ-LhYnqrSh2dHLcfqKvWez5-fdUhaVi0UtQhSAWz006E55MCkhDaZ-Hm3hF_4mMqS2dIteZodVdJ/s400/ganesha.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Idols of Hindu Gods & Goddesses such as Ganesha, Gaja-Lakshmi, Shiva, Nandi are common.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>Here are some interesting ideas for using stone sculpture in home decor.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099157808571675362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpDjsn44DU6eR9Vj0eRiAw1MsTnPCiiELZKTt7BhuC_rfuR5J0aftdmIc8-0nJY93vZCRPTDidJrTXf8NkiaazT50jGr-QqoRT6o9vdZwv7TAXHiPc0FS2tcBXB8GXoMI9FrH_quqJUC_/s400/stone1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099216847192126290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfp78NKciADefty8zEg5drCfONU0m8W-P0NHopACl5d2Pp0z01TeGrjCRHfVG7g0YjFzoyFQkokBjYhSmYY4ldC1z2kH18d7K-xtBW1c2MK7X4ko2yIB5-QmjFIpsfP-h4SfKbsdJIaFS/s400/ganesha2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>(A stone Ganesha in our balcony, I love decorating with fresh flowers:-) This pic is to show ideas for decorating with stone sculptures- This sculpture is Hoysala style*)<br /></em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099157812866642674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL3BtZ0RVL7IKYsxNawqm5t5NREVOSNZILcY8loMrMZ-RWB_VdvSkQ42wjvwxJAI5V7D7bS3rYfy22Vf5ap_PEI2Cl1b8UK2WQtf901_bkmE8o0jr_U4xHBl-WxnQgKZrwiwNYs7BuX53/s400/stone2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div>These exquisite pieces can be used indoors or in your gardens and balconies along with green plants...<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099242440902243186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i0nBSmzSMuNG0m3CVD9pTWb56jfZtasIlwbWxnGegmvH-4vSB4CTBtgs2btsm_I5GaKnuEvXq2_o5rmLO3fN8dVx8RWTwAO3sBn6_RhSue9xLwicEh3KUamtPaBC5wuGyKYPU1QCJJje/s400/stone3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>* Will definitely post about Hoysala Style later in this feature:-)</em><br /><em><br />(some images from Inside Outside, October 2005 issue)<br /></em></div>

Art & Crafts of India #4: Stone Sculptures of Mahabalipuram

When I think of 'Stone Sculptures' the first image that comes to mind is the amazing granite stone sculptures of Mahabalipuram , ne...

Read more »