Vigan Handicrafts: bamboo magic

Vigan is one of UNESCO world heritage sites - still preserving the spanish culture amidst local phillipino culture. One of the interesting handicrafts are these bamboo-shoot-woven artefacts for household decor. They give a whole colourful appeal to all the souvenir shops at this place.

Chandigarh Crafts Mela - Hut Arts

Each exhibition stand was crafted as a traditional mud hut covered with a thatched roof. The colourful murals on the walls just added to the cultural atmosphere.

Chandigarh Crafts Mela - Pottery

It can be said that I was at the right place at the right time :). Being at Chandigarh when the second national crafts festival is going on - great time to walk around a large area and be exposed to some of the finest workmanship India is famous for! Pottery was one of the most prominent attractions.

Wear your creation!!

@Kala Ghoda Festival, Mumbai. It's an annual cultural festival, where the street 'Kala Ghoda' and the nearby areas transform into a place of fun, colour, imagination and razzmatazz. Apart from plays, films and dance performances, there are many stalls displaying art and handicrafts.
This stall displays T-shirts with hand-painted designs. As someone said "Anyone can paint!!"

Jerusalem - a colourful razmataz

I have visited Jerusalem four times, and everytime, it leaves me with more desire to come back. Though there is a whole part of New and Modern Jerusalem, I am very fascinated with the ancient part - the area which witnessed many crusades, destruction and rebirths. It has been able to enshrine the human spirit, through rough times and through sane times - the spirit to live, to fight back and to forge ahead.

When you move around the fortified city, henceforth referenced as Jerusalem only, you cant miss out the clear indication of how many times this city was rebuilt. Christians, Muslims and Jews have very important places of their faith in this city -- all in very close proximity to each other. This city is divided into quarters like roman, greek, arabic, jewish, christian... each with a distinct aura and appeal.The byzantine lanes which intersperse the city are very much like the canals of Venice -- you see rivers and rivulets of people flowing up and down the cobbled steps. And to top it all, the shops have literally spilled onto these streets. There are many shops which may be selling the same goods - but, you will find them different. Colours, display and the best part - Bargaining -- all very different when u move from shop to shop...

















Arabic quarters -- they sometimes smell more closer to home (India). Spices, bread (naan and roti), sweets(from milk) - you will find them all here.. the bargaining is fierce here, but I assure you - you will love every moment of it.











The Roman and Greek areas will offer you a splendid visual treat - all the items are very very colourful and stuffed into every nook and corner of the store --- Claustrophobic are we?? No No... These add on to the very mystic and chutzpah that lies in store for you at Jerusalem.