Kutch is a mystical land.
Intriguing. Exuberant. Enthralling.
...and all I believe is to do with the people who have migrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Himalayas, Northern India and Central India.
Each community bearing different names like Jats, Meghwals, Rabaris, Mutwas, Sodhas, Ahirs but bound together by the land.
The land that is dry, arid and harsh. The land that has seen years of drought and earthquakes.
Great admiration surges in my heart when I see the people of Kutch who have overcome these hardships by painting a vibrant colour-scheme on a dull, unyielding landscape. Their palette saturated with colours adorn they homes, their attires, their work and their lives!
Sharing with you few frames from their humble but grand dwellings. The dwellings which are fabulous examples of aesthetics & functionality. They are practical yet beautiful. They are small yet roomy. They are organized yet exuberant.
Inside and outside a Bhunga in Gandhi Nu Gaam near Ludiya, Kutch.
Inside a Mutwa community dwelling in Dhordo, Kutch
Interiors of another Mutwa Bhunga at Dhordo, Kutch.
Sculpted clay 'Lipaan' work on the exterior of the Bhungas.
A Meghwal family in Hodka Village, Kutch.
Inside a Bhunga of Meghwal community. Everything one needs is neatly organized.
Painted doors.
Vibrant patchwork quilts.
Look at all those quilts they have been sewing neatly stacked.
Smiling in spite of all the hardships.
Art in every wall, every corner, everywhere.
...and it warms my heart to see art, embellishments, beauty winning over this harsh land of Kutch.
(Images by Arch)
30 comments:
This is awesome..I've always wanted to visit kutch. What a work of art !!!
mesmerizing, how very beautiful, their decor, their homes, their clothes, their jewelry..simply gorgeous :)
Gorgeous!! Reminds me of my trip - which seems like such a long time ago :( I *LOVED* the side profile picture of the woman. So happy, so powerful.
Beautiful! Art meets life!
wao wish to go there sumtime..Kutch is awesome
http://chandradey.blogspot.com
Wow, we are such a beautiful country! Each and every picture is inspiring!
What lovely colours...you've truly captured the essence of not only the place, but also the people. Beautiful. :)
Beautiful captures, Arch.
Thank you Ladies:-) Glad all of you liked the post:-)
Vineeta~ Isn't 'the' lady also in your photographs? Nirona right?;-)
Wow!! how vibrant!! Hope you managed to bring back some quilts...
Yes, that is some art to heart! Have to plan a trip.
I like the last but one pic the most, she is so gorgeous and beautiful!
Ooh Lala!! what an eye candy this is. I lived in Rajasthan for 2 years before we moved to Norway and I always felt I have never gotten enough of it. You are definitely traveling places Arch!
It's so very attractive...their works, art, home, the people...so beautiful! How well organized! Beautigul colour scheme:)
Such simplistic beauty, loved these homes, and the way you have captured them
hi Archana, beautiful post, love all the pics, specially the simplicity of the lippan kaam!
after seeing this, the feeling of visiting kutch has become even stronger; any recommendations on where to stay and the best weather to visit would also be appreciated.
btw did you manage to get some stuff from there..its all soo colorful n beautiful! Also wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that i am an avid follower of your blog..always waiting for the next post and the pics!!
Such beautiful homes! Love the splash of colors!
Your Kutch series has me hooked Archana- Completely hooked!
It's always been wonderful to know the different and wonderful arts/people/places through your posts. This is one more... beautiful!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful post. Awesome pictures.
Loved the swing and the portrait of the smiling lady.
Awsome! India is full of such beautiful gems :)
archana, lovely pictures. would it be possible to get this lippan work done on walls of my house in bangalore? would you know any artist who would come down to bangalore? how can i get this work done at bangalore. i have seen this work in Gurjari showroom in koralangala. i asked them but they had no clue how it was done !!. please do let me know
'Lippan Kaam' is an art form very common in the Kutch Region in Gujarat.
I have seen versions of these in certain craft fairs in Bangalore not sure where you can find artisans who do this work in Bangalore.
Having said that do check with Kalamadhyam.
They work with artisans from all over India.
Wonderful pictures and writeup. I have always had this theory that the more barren the land, the more colorful and ornate the architecture and garments, e.g. Rajasthan and now Kutch. If the land is lush and fertile, garments and architecture become simple and plain, e.g., Kerala
awesome......lovely colours
The people of Kutch have such an amazing sense of colour and design! We could learn so much from them. The colours matched on the doors, the quilts and fabric stacked inside homes, the neatly arranged kitchenware and the art on their walls. Feels each pic is a lesson in design for us. Arch, beautifully captured.
This place is on my wish list now
hi, i am kutchi lived 31 years in bhuj.now married and came to chicago u.s. All this beautiful people in yours lovely pictures are my people and brings tears in my eyes.i worked with them for 5 years in kutchi crafts.I see your blog almost every day it motivates to do something crafty here in my home.
love revisiting this page - what a great feature!
It is so inspiring to see your work.
Post a Comment