Rock n Roll in a Saree

These pictures were taken on a pre-spring fun afternoon out and feature my current favourite way of wearing a saree. This way let's me move/ dance freely,look good with heavy duty boots and/ or leather jacket and above all allows me sit on a bike. I can't wait to get more sarees and wear them more often. It sometimes astounds me when the rest of the world is so unaware of the rich, luxurious textile traditions of Indian and the a many other parts of Asia. The joy that comes from wearing handloom silk, khadi, cotton or wool is second to none. And I'd rather wear a vintage saree than a dress made in a sweatshop somewhere!

Another day another Kolam

On my last trip home my sister's help used to come early in the morning, wash the entrance of the home and make a beautiful 'Kolam'; a geometrical drawing composed of loops drawn around a grid on the floor. I would wake up early to watch her work and one day asked her in my broken Tamil/ sign language if I could take photos of her working.

She would come, clean the previous day's kolam, put dots to make a grid with chalk powder and make a stunning design all in a span of five to ten minutes. While drawing she wouldn't stand up or take her hand off the task of creating the intricate design.

Everyday millions of Hindu women in the South of India make Kolams in front of their homes to bestow prosperity and ward off evil.

I just love the various designs these ladies came up with, its not like they've been to art school or anything. Its amazing when for festivals they make designs on the floor with flower petals and light candles around it.

I also love this lady's bright saree and the bright plastic bucket is so cheerful. Everyday she would come bright and early smelling of the fresh flowers in her hair, these pictures don't do justice to the women you see on the streets in India.

I hope you enjoy these photos and have had a wonderful week.

India: Mini Photo Diary

I've been under the weather lately and the cold doesn't help so been trawling website for holiday photos and was getting to a stage that I wanted to just fly out to somewhere warm. And then I remembered I never posted any photos from my trip to India last year, so here are a few. The first three photos were taking around Manali in the Himalayas, the road-side flower seller is in Chennai, in the South and the last few photos are of the Qutab Minar in Delhi. Hope you like. Photos make me want to pack my bags and take off...

Warning: Picture heavy post about to commence.