In the middle of all the love, peace and happiness work we’re involved in, I managed to get an unexpected break and visit a crafts fair near our place en route to running an errand. It was a delightful interlude to an extremely warm and busy day. Just window-shopping, taking in the colors of life was a visual treat. This crafts fair is something one can expect to see happening all over the city at various times – and I usually wait for one that is close enough to where we stay. As I approached the gate, I saw people spilling out from an otherwise peaceful place. Then I saw the banner announcing the event and I had to walk in.
There were displays from all over India – and I took a few pictures. Some of the stall owners requested me not to take photographs and I had to respect them. Still, I am grateful I got to even look at all their gorgeous crafts. There were craftsmen demonstrating how they made the specific items being sold and that was a wonderful experience.
That India has a rich heritage is something everyone knows – but the diversity of art is simply breathtaking, with every stall being equally stunning. It was a great time-out for me and I spent a glorious hour and a half there. So let’s begin our photo-journey already through…..
the colors of life!
This stark black display is stoneware from Manipur in NorthEastern India. I was eager to buy and secretly thanked my lucky stars that I left my credit card at home! So no, I did not.
Look at this, in absolute contrast! I have quite a few of these and love them. Useful and great to look at!
This stall had some fabulous wood and metal art from North India, probably Rajasthan, since the rest of their display was from there. Beautiful to look at and very very expensive.
Creative art – glazed decorative pottery with figures etched on the side. Very interesting to look at. Huge. I wonder what she’s worried about. She looks so pensive!
But these, pottery from Rajasthan – I would definitely have liked one for my house, especially the narrow ones. Under the awning, in the warm afternoon sun, they just glowed.
A closer look. Quite lovely.
More pottery. I thought of the post title colors of life when I saw this. I am really proud of myself for not buying any. Especially that miniature set on the left.
Another of those glazed pottery works of art. This was a pretty tall …um….vase? It kind of freaked me out.
I bought some bookmarks – Pattachitra art on palm leaves or palm leaf painting, which is native of Odisha
I got a colorful Sanganeri bed cover with Kantha work from the Rajasthan stall. I just love it! The entire bedspread is first hand block printed and then the “kantha work” or running hand-stitches are done. Labor of love.
Then, I quickly decided to step out.
Then the heavens opened up, and the rain came down in torrents. Secure in the knowledge that my purchases and other contents were safely wrapped in plastic, I happily started the long trek to the bus stop so I could get some kind of transport home.
An hour later, I shared an autorickshaw with another lady who was heading in the same direction and got home – drenched to the…um….skin.
It felt good though, to have been impulsive and take out some time to smell the flowers. It helped me relax. It refreshed me. It made me happy and allowed me to empty my mind.
For fast-acting relief, try slowing down. ~Lily Tomlin
Let’s now head to UnknownMami’s place – she is the lovely host of the Sundays In My City meme.
I liked the pictures and enjoying the culture of India. You are right very colorful. Hopefully some day I can visit India : D.
Everything is so beautiful but the stoneware is so unique it kinda stole my heart.
Oh, Vidya, what treasures. In my five months of living in Jaipur, I didn’t see those gorgeous elephants with the long curving trunk or I would have succumbed.
I enjoyed every word and picture of this blog.
Off to India June 1 for six months.
My Sunday post is at:
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2013/05/ues-weekend-challenge-seascape-sundays.html
Hi Carmen! Great to know you’re visiting again! Where will you be staying this time? Welcome back! 🙂
Viday,
These crafts are so unique and beautiful. What a joyful feast for the eyes. Thank you.
There used to be a time when I would come back home loaded, Sandra. I’ve learned the joy of just capturing on camera – takes up a lot less space! Hugs!
Love the pics. Beautiful items. My favorite are the Stoneware from Manipur at the Crafts Fair and the decorative art from Rajasthan. Thanks for sharing your day, VIdya!
So glad you’re here Cathy! Hugs!
mam i would be thankful i you can tell me where can i buy blue pottery with good price. please e mail me
thank you mam
Hi Ajay. Chitrakala Parishath has some exhibition or other almost all the time. They announce it in the newspapers. And they always have blue pottery featured there. 🙂
Lovely pics…. colours of life suits it to the T
Thank you!
where was this ! Such delightful exhibits
I took similar pics at Dill haat- Delhi 🙂 I would love to buy that glazed pottery and other pottery works too
They r fabulous
It was a treat to eyes!
This fair was near Shivananda Circle at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (next to the Khadi Bhavan), Afshan. Oh yes, Dilli haat is beautiful too! 😀 Thanks for commenting.
So colourful. The pottery and bedspread are lovely and beautiful Radha Krishna. Thanks for sharing. What an interesting day you had.
I am crazy for color, Suzy and love pottery! I coveted the Pattachitra paintings, which were very expensive and made do with the little bookmarks 😀
Those are some of the most unique elephants I’ve ever seen! Amazing!
It was the first time I saw those too, Dorothy! Fascinating.
I found the pottery and the stoneware both very fascinating. The elephants were just too good. Thank you for taking us through the fair.
🙂 Glad you enjoyed the “trip” Cynthia!
Vidya – The colors, let alone the items and textures, are enough to keep my heart pumping at full speed. What a feast for the eyes. As usual, your Sunday outings always help me start my week with a big smile on my face! xxoo-Fran
Fran, you said it! It was definitely an adrenalin rush to see so many beautiful things all at once. Hugs!
sis if i came to visit, i’d have to pay a lot to take home all the things i’d buy. love all the colorful pottery.
Hugs, Vani. I admit it is very very tempting! Come, anyway! 😀
This is my kind of crafts fair. Simply loved the black stoneware from Manipur. Havent seen such kitchen wares before. The ceramic and pottery from Rajasthan is pretty famous and fabulous.
That stoneware was stunning, Shilpa – and the bamboo wrapped around the handles set it off beautifully. Thanks for visiting!
–Vidya,
I want EVERYTHING. I would have bought the vases and the elephants FOR SURE!
Love you more than elephants in Kisumu. Xxx
🙂 So sweet, Kim! It was a fascinating place! They even had a fabulous nude stone sculpture in the garden three times my size. Love you more than the panthers in Kisumu!
Beautiful Vidya. You sure do have a way with the camera. That one vase was kind of scary. have to agree.
We have craft fairs here in the USA and this is the timne of the year when they will start popping up at parks or malls.
You can spend hours there. Hope you did get dried out!
Thank so much for sharing your world. it is wonderful being able to see what you see.
debbie
I really could have spent hours there, Debbie, except I didn’t have the time. I am glad I got an hour there! I got back home pretty safe, though and all was well.
Thanks! Hugs!
So so beautiful and vibrant!! You were wise to leave your credit card home!! 🙂
You bet, Roshni. Exhibitions are usually expensive, except on the last two days when they want to sell off everything. Treat to the eyes though!
Vidya I love your pics and your tour of India is always amazing. Those elephants with the long tusks have my name on them!
Love Elle
xoxo
😀 Elle! Yes, India is amazing – and when I think how much I have left to see, I am overwhelmed! You know, those elephants had my name too, along with another set of figurines in the same type of art. I had to regretfully rub it off. 😀 When you visit India…… 🙂 you know what I am going to say!
Oh, you know I love these posts! It’s wonderful to love where you live, to find delight in its treasures. Thank you again for sharing your home with us.
🙂 The little pleasures of life, Galen. It was glorious to spend that hour there! Thank you for commenting!
Vidya that’s superb collection and very tempting too….lovely to see all the colourful pottery on display. where was this ?
Diana – it is at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath – near Shivananda Circle. 🙂 Lovely time there, too short for my liking, but hey. Every little matters. 🙂
Hi Vidya,
You seem to have an eye for beauty… lovely amazing pics. Though i hate crowded places, i would have braved it to catch a glimpse of this display…Thanks for showcasing Bangalore to the rest of the world..
What fun it would be to hang around a place like that together, Anita. 🙂 I’ll email you, rey. Lots happening in my life right now. In fact, I have been thinking of you and wishing I had a “haazri” call 😀 Hugs!
Gorgeous colors, I love your photos, always!
Thank you, Jodi! Pleasure to see you here, always!
OMG I love all the pictures! The colors are eye-popping. Love the vases! Reminds me of being at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul many many years ago! Thanks for sharing, Vidya!
Hugs, Terri! It was such a feast for the eyes and the colors totally warmed my heart!
OOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhh I love this place. The last time, in fact the only time I visited it….picked so many things. The art and craft is amazing. I loved the stoneware from Manipur. Sigh, I must visit soon.
And oh forgot to mention, love the rustic campus too 🙂
I got a lot of pictures of the campus – plan to post them soon! 🙂
Please do, Vinita! Next time I am not forgetting my credit card – I coveted the stoneware like crazy! Still do. 🙂
Ah, shall wait for them. Hope you got the monkeys too 🙂
The weird thing is, I didn’t see any. None were around. Probably because it was close to evening. Then suddenly in the space of that hour, the skies clouded over and it rained heavily.
A delightful splash of color, Vidya! These fairs are something which are unique and it is so difficult to restrain oneself to buy:)
Hi Vidya,
It’s really nice wonderful article about life ! We all can see realy life colors in post. This post is realy wonderful pot which inspire about life.
Your description of the experience made me enjoy it almost as much as you did.
I have a lovely feeling of mission accomplished! Hugs!