Gujarat Inspiration – for bead makers and fabric artists

Gujarat sightseeing

In July, on my way to Delhi, I had taken a detour and visited Vadodara (Baroda) and Ahmedabad in Gujarat with my mother. It was very very hot, incredibly humid and extremely tiring, but we saw so much in those three days that was very inspiring and fascinating. I would like to share a few of the pictures taken on the trip, especially the ones taken at the Baroda Palace and Adlaj Vav (Stepwell) in Ahmedabad as inspiration today.
I don’t make beads or components, but I am a great admirer of art beads and I think that these pictures would be great inspiration to artists who work with ceramic and stoneware.

Adlaj Vav – Ahmedabad
Adlaj is famous for a stepped well (Vav) or stepped pond, built in 499 by Muslim king Mohammed Begda  (Construction started by Rana Veer Singh ) for Queen Rani Roopba, widow of Veer Singh, the Vaghela chieftain. As it was built by both Hindu as well as muslim rulers, the Vav posses a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture with a hint of Persian Influence. It is said that Begda killed the 6 masons who created the stepwell as he didnt want it to be replicated anywhere which was a common practise those days.

Adlaj Vav, Stepwell, ami khumbo
Ami Khumbor (symbolic pot of the water of life) at the Adlaj Vav, Stepwell
Adlaj Vav, Stepwell
Adlaj Vav, Stepwell
 
Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda – Official residence of the Maharaja Of Baroda.The royal family still resides in this palace built in 1889 and it is said to be one of the most expensive palaces in India. The Palace is very European with a lot of Italian influence. The marble work here is intricate and the stained glass work is stunning. gold gilding on marble surfaces and paintings on the ceiling of the durbar room are fantastic. There is an array of sculptures in the foyer of the Palace, unfortunately, photography is prohibited on the inside.
baroda palace architecture
gold gilding on marble
Gujarat is not all beiges and tans, It has a lot of bright colors too – Especially in the form of clothing – Chaniya Cholis and Ghaghra cholis (Skirt, top and scarf) which are multicolored gorgeously embroidered pieces that will make your heart skip a beat. They are worn as a set during Navaratri festive – particularly while playing Dandiya (a dance with sticks) replete with silver tone jewelry which I will talk about in my next post on Awesome Gujarati Jewellery.  I think that  these unique embroidered  pieces will provide great inspiration to a mixed media artist, a quilter or to a fabric artist.
Embroidered multicolor skirts
Here are a few Pictures taken at the Law Garden Market, Ahmedabad

multicolor skirts  – The techniques include – appliqué and reverse appliqué, patchwork and piecework, embroidery or mirrorwork

multicolor skirts with Embroidery and patch work
multicolor skirts with Embroidery and patch work

Embroidered Gujarati quilts – Like Godra, Gudri, Sirakh, Chakla (wall hanging)

Embroidered Gujarati quilts

These photographs only narrate a fraction of our travel in Gujarat, let alone the treasures that abound that state. But I do hope that you find them interesting and are inspired by them to create something new.
I will share more pictures, particularly pictures of jewelry soon
Cheers

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  1. Cinnamon Jewellery avatar
    Cinnamon Jewellery

    So many beautiful designs and the carving at the Adlaj Vav is stunning. It must be even better in real life Thanks for sharing Divya.

    Reply
  2. Divya N avatar
    Divya N

    Yes, it indeed was stunning in real life. I kept thinking about art beads the entire time I was there

    Reply
  3. bairozan avatar
    bairozan

    I have always been fascinated by the architecture of historical buildings in India, even more so by the colorful and ornamented fabrics!

    Reply
  4. Little Treasures avatar
    Little Treasures

    Oh my! Such magical places! I can only imagine what it may feel like to be there and see this beauty in person!
    I can't wait to see the photos of the jewelry!

    Reply
  5. Radhika avatar
    Radhika

    Beautiful carvings on walls and fab embroidery mirror work on cloths Divya..

    Reply
  6. Divya N avatar
    Divya N

    I am glad, that you enjoyed them. Actually the Vav is a combination of Hindu and Islamic architecture with a hint of persian influence while the Palace is very Italian in look and feel, somewhat of a contrast from otehr Indian Palaces.

    Reply
  7. Divya N avatar
    Divya N

    Oh I love Gujarati embroidery and I thought it would be fun to showcase them

    Reply

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