Pure Ghee Designs

Custom made: Mata ni pachedi bag

2012-02-08T23:05:00.001-08:00

Radhika Poddar of Cinnamon sent me a piece of Mata ne pachedi to make it into a bag.

I had a soft spot for this art form since my student days in NID. So this is what we came up with. Would love to know what you think.

2012-02-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Look what i got in the mail the other day!

A sparkling card holder with PURE GHEE monogrammed on it!
I just realised it can also double as a pocket mirror.

Sent by my friend Dan Nation. Many thanks and keep it coming....

PGD @ Jan Madhyam' s Spring Fair

2012-02-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

Its an early spring!
Come get our new range of Chamki Totes
at Jan Madhyam's Spring Fair
The Australian Embassy
1/50G, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi.
4 Feb 2012
10.30am onwards

JY in Post cards

2012-01-19T06:09:00.000-08:00

My JY in Postcards.
I decided to send a postcard a day from the Yatra to S.
So at the end of the day whatever was the compelling idea i made it on the postcard.
Some days i did not feel like making any.
Some days i made more than one. And good that i did cause i lost my camera and this is all i have now!
So here they are. How could i not share it with you :)
https://picasaweb.google.com/prakash.aditi/JYInPostCards#

No more grey winters : Tutti Frutti range in stock!

2012-01-19T02:21:00.000-08:00

We love this range as it is the most colourful way of recycling our waste bits.

Tutti Frutti Tote

Tutti Frutti Clutch

Pure Ghee Designs @ Pool Magazine

2012-01-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

Its been a great start for us at Pure Ghee Designs this new year.
Our work has been featured in POOL MAGAZINE, India's first international Design Magazine.
We like to thank the team especially Maitreyi at Pool for including us in this issue.

Read the complete interview on page 24-25 after clicking on the link
http://issuu.com/poolmagazine/docs/pool19?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdarkicons%2Flayout.xml

Pure Ghee Designs @ Jagriti Yatra in Indian Express!

2012-01-09T23:25:00.000-08:00

A link to the article
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/living-by-ghee/897713/

Thats me in the corner! Jagriti Yatra 2011

2012-01-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

I was away for two weeks on the most incredible journey across India- Jagriti Yatra.
450 young people, 13 destinations, 9000 Km.

That is a picture of me taking notes in the train taken by Ayaz.

There is so much to share i decided to start with a page from my notebook.

Not a journey for the weak at heart, its bound to impact you in ways you can never imagine!

More updates soon!

This is not a bag

2011-12-21T21:17:00.000-08:00

Design Exhibition: 20 under 35

2011-12-19T03:26:00.001-08:00

Pure Ghee designs is participating in the exhibition by DesignxDesign 20 under 35.
A sneak peak into what you will see only for all of you who follow our blog!
Do drop by if you are in Delhi.
Thanks for your interest.

At Alliance Française De Delhi, 72, Lodi Estate, New Delhi
From 22 Dec 2011 to 4 Jan 2012, 11am to 8pm

Pure Ghee bags featured in Time Out!

2011-12-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

Outrageously bright! Potli sling!

2011-11-29T01:28:00.000-08:00

Dont tell us we didin't warn you.
This one is bound to stop traffic in its tracks!
Now in stock the POTLI SLING!! In the most outrageous colours!!!

Happiness

2011-11-28T05:31:00.001-08:00

Happiness is a perfect winter afternoon with family, friends, good food, wine and lots of chattering and laughter. Dont you think?

Pure ghee bags in Bangalore

2011-11-21T23:02:00.001-08:00

Allahabad 102

2011-11-19T05:39:00.001-08:00

In part 2 on Allahabad i am sharing, one of my favourite activities of walking around in the winding galis/bylanes of old market places and finding the most unusual things. Here is what i found in Allahabad's "chowk". If you go there dont miss the famous Netram's Kachori, its more like stuffed puris with four different kinds of curries. To die for!

Brushes/Art Installation?

Fried savouries/clay sculpture?

Gamchas galore!

baskets

The freshest singhsdas in the world

Turbans for groom and u?

Rickshaw art! Have to go for back this!

beautiful backsides!

wanna be my chamak chalo!

Also Check Allahabad 101 for a different take on the city.

Allahabad 101

2011-11-19T05:02:00.001-08:00

S and I were in Allahabad for two days. For me there is nothing like some small town fun. Some glimpses from our trip! A boat ride on the Yamuna, how could we not go to see the sangam. And a trip to the Nehru residence Anand Bhavan had some inspiring vintage ideas. Look out for colourful kitsch coming up in part 2!

A new bridge on the old river

Laundry on the banks of river Yamuna

Anand Bhavan we landed there on children's day!

The pantry at anand bhavan

A crisp khadi kurta with the most amazing thread buttons which you cant seem to see in this picture!

The baithak in Anand Bhavan. love the blue borders on khadi furnishings

I love Delhi winters

2011-11-19T04:26:00.001-08:00

There are many things to enjoy about Delhi winters.

The one thing topping my list at the moment is the variety of colourful veggies available right now. Every time i go to the market i come back totally inspired!

Thank you Mumbai and Delhi

2011-11-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

We have just completed two successful exhibitions this season! Its was a lot of work but all worth it!
We would like to thank all our customers for supporting our work. We hope you enjoy using the products and come back for more! Your support keeps us going.

The exhibition at Mumbai, was a great experience. It gave us exposure to a new audience. It taught us how customers in different cities react differently to products. It gave us the experience of preparing for exhibitions outside our home city.

In Delhi we consolidated our presence at Nature Bazaar. The opening day saw a large number of customers from last year who came in early to be able to pick the best. Although the change of venue from IGNCA to Crafts Museum did not seem ideal for sales, there is no denying the fact that Nature Bazaar is a great platform to reach out to like minded people annually.

The greatest learning for me however is how these physical objects, the bags i design and produce, become a medium of communication with total strangers! I realise its not just about making and selling bags, its about people.

PGD at Nature Bazaar

2011-10-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

PGD goes to Mumbai!

2011-10-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

Here comes the TUTTI FRUTTI collection

2011-09-30T01:29:00.000-07:00

The idea for this collection came when i was staring at the bits of waste fabric lying on the ground ready to be swept into the dust bin. I could not bear to throw away even tiny bits of the bright colourful fabric and so i sat sewing these bits together into a crazy patchwork piece.
And so the pieces evolved one by one.
These are limited edition pieces made only when we have enough waste fabric and every piece is bound to be one of a kind.

Pure Ghee Now in Hyderabad and Kolkatta

2011-09-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Pure Ghee Designs is spreading its wings!!!

Happy and proud to be in our home town Hyderabad.

PGD now available @ Anonym

# 550-F, 3rd Floor, Apollo Road, Road No. 92,
Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad - 500033. Ph: 040-23552386

For people in Kolkata We are now retailing @ Bombaim

218 AJC Bose Road, Calcutta, India 700017

PGD featured in HBD101

2011-09-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

A few days ago i was searching for some good reference books on handbags and i came upon 101 Handbag Designer. I went on find out that it is the brainchild of Emily Blumenthal. Its not just a book but a website with regular updates of trends in Handbags and also hosts a independent design award for handbag designers!

I signed up for getting featured on their website and didn't really expect to hear from them! But i was surprised, Pure Ghee Designs did get featured! So happy to share it with you! Heres the link to the short interview on HBD 101

New Totes in natural dyed series

2011-09-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

Our natural dyed totes are special. They are made from heavy cotton hand woven fabric. We believe that the inside of the bag is as important as the outside. And so the bags are lined with co-ordinated cotton block prints. Leather trims enhance the look as well as add durability to the bags. The signature kalamkari flower charm completes the look.
That's why we love making them even though the effort involved is far more than our regular line.
Truly limited edition.


Indigo tree print with indigo print lining

Indigo stripes with red zig zag lining

Madder red with Indigo print lining

Madder red tree print with black polka dot print lining

New colours in Chatak Totes

2011-09-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

Our very popular Chatak totes in all new colours for the new season!!

Hope you enjoy them as much as i did putting them together.

And don't miss the charms inspired from the poppies in my garden!

Pure Ghee now in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai

2011-09-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to inform all of you that Pure Bags are now available in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai! You can find them in

Mumbai @ Bliss
Plot no.180, Aram Nagar 1, Fisheries University Road, 7 Bungalows, Andheri West,
Mumbai - 400061
Phone : 022 32095929/ 26332111

Bangalore @ Cinnamon
Lavelle Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Phone: 080-2221 2426 / 2222 9794

Chennai @ Manjal
M.Rm.Rm Cultural Foundation, No 70, MRC Nagar Main Road,
Raja Anna Malia Puram, Chennai - 28.
Phone: 044 - 24622505

Black Beauties - New Totes

2011-08-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

Someone once asked me "dont you have any bags in black colour?" and remember being slightly irritated, dont we have enough of them in leather already why would one want a black cloth bag!!!!

But i gave it a shot and here are PGD's newest offerings Totes in black but not without colour!!!

Let me know what you think

The new Potli sling !

2011-08-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

These days i am working on developing some evening bags. I started with designing some clutches but they felt a bit pretentious .... I am not the kind a girl to be spending the whole evening holding on to my clutch. I prefer being hands free.

How about looking at some of the traditional evening bags i thought and soon i found myself obsessing about potlis of all shapes and sizes..... potlis have been done to death.....i needed to put a new twist to it.....voila! I put together this crazy one in my favourite lungi fabric with some neony trims...

And then i added my hands free detail. A sling. That makes it a potli sling!
You can find me carrying it around everywhere.
I saw my friend beaming at me the other day and asked him why he was smiling and he said all those colours made him smile!

Coming up with grown up "party" potlis in my next update!
Meanwhile would love to know how many of you are the bohemian-potli-sling-carrying kinds like me!

Exclusively in features Pure Ghee Designs

2011-08-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hey!!! I am very excited to announce that Pure Ghee Designs is available to customers in the US on exclusively.in until 8 August 2011.

" Exclusively.In is a members-only, private-sale site that allows its customers to purchase luxury items from featured collections of Indian fashion, furnishings and travel, available for a limited time."

Check out the sale here

Organise in style - Pouch sets

2011-08-04T23:10:00.001-07:00

Introducing outrageously colourful pouch sets.
Organise your bits and baubbles.
Use them together or separately.
Great for gifting in the festive season.

Teej Design Mela 2011

2011-08-03T05:32:00.000-07:00

Baskets full of fresh flowers at the festival

Monsoon festival 6 was kick started with the Teej Design Mela. Conceived and organised by Himanshu Verma of Red Earth, this festival is an example of how passion and commitment can make things happen and stir people.

Himanshu doing 10 things at a time!

It was inspiring to see how Himanshu who is a virtual one man army, put together people from diverse fields like art, craft, design, performing art. Setting the mood for the celebrations in the evening, he dressed to the hilt in his green banarsi sari and swayed away to the beats of sasural genda phool!

For pure ghee designs it was exciting day of meeting new upcoming designers and artists and sharing the joys and difficulties of running a start up. A day spent away from our quite studio in the midst of new creative energies.

Pure Ghee stall at the mela

Our charms proved to be quite a hit!

Chocolate Chocolate Nidhi Khurana's charming stall next to ours

Nidhi wearing pure ghee's charm in her hair

Aneeth arora's telia rumal scarves

Mayank Mansingh Kaul's minimal chic Malkha garments

New charms for Teej Design Mela

2011-07-31T05:09:00.000-07:00

New charms to celebrate the monsoons!!! Specially created and only available at the Hariyali Teej Design Mela

On a sourcing trip to sadar bazar recently I ended up buying a whole bunch of rakhis.....I had no clue what i would do with them but knowing my love for all things bright and beautiful i just could not resit them!!!!!

When Red Earth invited us to the Hariyali Teej Design mela we set about making charms out of them.

Get one to hang on your bag, keychain and a touch of madness!!!

Come and celebrate the season at the Monsoon Festival 6 with as Himanshu puts it "cutting edge,emerging and sustainable creative practices"

Pure Ghee Designs now available at Ogaan

2011-07-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

Tutti Frutti Bag

We are super thrilled to announce that the limited edition series of Pure Ghee Bags will be available at Ogaan, Santushti Market, New Delhi from 1 August!

Pure Ghee Designs has specially introduced the Tutti Frutti bag for this occasion. More about it in my next post.

PGD @An Indian Summer

2011-07-22T23:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks Bhavna for featuring Pure Ghee Designs on An Indian Summer! I am flattered!!!

I LOVE COLOUR - chatak pouch set

2011-07-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Well what can i say!! I can't resist colour!

New from Pure Ghee Design, Chatak pouch set.

Comes as a set of 3 pouches in 3 colours and sizes. Promises to keep all your knick knacks organised.

Nike of rural Rajasthan

2011-07-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

As a continuation to my last post, a bit about the life and work of the leather workers. I was there only for half a day, but the visit formed the basis the design concepts i developed with them.

This group of leather workers live in a small hamlet in Chandranagar, Lohavat, 3 hours from Bikaner. They make the most robust and hard wearing shoes without the use of any adhesives. These cost between 500 - 600 Rs a pair and last for 2-3 years. Now thats what i would call the Nike of rural Rajasthan!

Walking through the sand towards Baggaramji's home cum workshop in the April heat, i tried to imagine what life was like in the middle of the desert. Here are some glimpses.

Baggaramji's home and workshop

Nike of rural Rajasthan

Stocked in all sizes, best part, no fancy packing ....

Leather being softened in water

Shoes being made

I loved Goverdhan's personalised tool bag made from recycled plastic gunny bags

Boys watching me watching them

Biscuit and bhujjia offered as snacks

Water to drink from lotas

Torch for emergencies in the workshop

Important documents, wedding invitations hung from the ceiling!!
(so they dont fall prey to rats i guess)

Leather products from Lohavat, Rajasthan

2011-07-06T03:35:00.001-07:00

Here are some new products i developed for Rangsutra in a workshop with leather artisans from Lohavat in Rajasthan. I tried to keep the form of the products fairly simple highlighting their craftsmanship. Crafty chic is how i would describe them. How about you?

More about the craftspeople and their context in my next post.

Leather clutch

Leather Chappals

Cloth and leather bag

Leather Sling

Leather wallet

Leather Chappals

Chota Chatak

2011-06-29T03:22:00.001-07:00

I am the kind-a-gal who likes to carry large bags so i can shove lots of things in it.
But for women who like to keep things more compact here comes the "Chota Chatak" !

Long or short handles, which one would you prefer? Would love to know.

Loads of Laptop sleeves

2011-06-27T00:48:00.000-07:00

Just completed an order of Laptop sleeves. Replicating in number requires a discipline that i am only learning now. Oh Production! a different ball game!

Feels good once its done though!

Shoppers Stop copies Pure Ghee Designs

2011-06-13T05:56:00.001-07:00

On Sunday i happened to be at Shoppers Stop at the Metropolitan mall in Saket. While i was browsing through the bag section i saw something very familiar. My bag design! On having a closer look i was a shocked and upset to see that my sling bag had been copied to the T and was being sold under the shoppers stop label Haute Curry.

I can understand people getting inspired but copying the bag so unimaginatively including the charm is taking it a bit too far. The redeeming fact was that it was such bad quality both in terms of production and the material used that it made me realise my place in the market. Anybody who appreciates quality would never buy this bag. I bought the bag as evidence and a reminder.

Some of my friends tried to console by saying that imitation is the best form of flattery and others were cynical and said that this is the sad reality and there is no getting away from it in India. I should just ignore it and carry on.

It makes me think. How do start ups like ours protect ourselves from such infringements?

The Copy

Original Pure Ghee Bag

Pure Ghee in Vogue's little black book

2011-06-02T01:26:00.000-07:00

Women embroiderers of Rajasthan

2011-05-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

Women embroiderers from various villages around Bikaner came to work with me on the waste recycle project. Working with women craftspeople is always a riot, lots of loud chatter, children to be looked after and work to be done. I spent time observing them, their faces had so much character, almost telling stories about the lives they lead....if you look hard enough!

Humbling yet inspiring at the same time.

Best out of waste - recycling fabric waste

2011-05-31T07:26:00.000-07:00

So what was i doing in Bikaner? Well one part of my project was to figure out ways of using fabric waste. When Sumita of Rangsutra told me about it i was excited. I keep hanging on to the smallest bits of cloth in my workshop too so i thought it would be a good opportunity to explore some ideas. Some examples of making the best out of waste!

Cloth florets with embroidered centres.

Cloth tiklis with embroidered edges

Embroidered wrist bands

Embroidered camels, Bikaner is famous for its camels

.....and my favourite the mice!!! Bikaner has the famous rat temple

Bikaner - A city explored

2011-05-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

These last few months i have been traveling to Bikaner on a project for Rangsutra. On these trips i felt more strongly than ever that this is what i love doing most, travelling and observing people. What they wear, how they talk, what they eat... Here are some pictures that captured the things i enjoyed in the city.

Woman clad in a diaphanous veil

Gossiping women in the middle of a street!

Sartorial style in Bikaner

I keep my mustache in place!

Biscuit and bhujia that we were served at a crafts person's home

More bhujia in the streets

Inside a three wheeler

The back of a three wheeler!

Chatak Laptop sleeve

2011-05-29T04:14:00.000-07:00

Now available for 14" & 15" Laptops.

Printing with Kiddies

2011-05-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

Spent the first half of the day workshoping with kids!!! So refreshing!
We used veggies, blocks and stencils.
Messing around is always fun, especially when you dont have to clean up after!!!

Handmade joy - Statement Neckpiece

2011-05-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

After a very long time i decided to spend half a day making something with my hands. I am hoarder of beads and i had been wanting to put them together. So i took my needle and thread and got down to it. Of course I had to add a touch of my irresistible fuchsia pink silks!

The joy of making things with your hands is indescribable almost like how you feel after a good work out. I plan to do it more often. Keep watching this space!

Exhibition this weekend

2011-05-11T04:12:00.000-07:00

The first exhibition this year!
So there are lots of bright, new, exciting stuff by me and other up and coming designers
So do drop by for loads of colour and inspiration

At Zaza Home

25/26 Community Centre
Zamrudpur, New Delhi - 110048
phone: 011 29235076/29245076

On 14 - 15 May 2011
From 11am to 8pm

Now Buy Pure Ghee bags

2011-04-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

Finally the new collection has hit the shelves.
For everyone who wanted to know where to get them.
Pure Ghee Products are now available at

Earth Store,
Select City Walk, Saket New Delhi.
1469,
No.2,No.12, Janpath, Connaught Place, New Delhi
011 23329461
No.8, Defence Colony, Main Market, New Delhi
011 41556393
Tarini
SG 54-55, Galleria, DLF City Phase - IV, Gurgaon, Haryana.
0124-4058457, 4058458

Pure Ghee on The India Tube

2011-04-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Pure Ghee has been featured on The India tube. Its a really cool website that features all things eclectic and unusual!

Thanks Annalisa for featuring us. Thanks Pradeep for bringing her over to our studio.

Lungi totes

2011-04-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

So excited about the new bags that have just arrived!!
These are made from men's lungis (yes men wear these colours) from Kerala!
I had been fascinated by them and everytime my in-laws are travelling to Delhi they carry a few for me.
So this time i had some totes made from them and i am tempted to keep all of them!!

So here are my one of a kind lungi totes!!! grab them before they are gone.

Pure Ghee Designs Testimonial

2011-04-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

I got this message in my inbox this morning and it made my day!
Thank you people for supporting my work and for all the good things u say. It keeps me going.

Hi!

I bought two of your beautiful bags at the Nature Bazaar last year - everytime I use them people I don't even know comment on them. Friends have asked for them and I love them. They're practical to use all the time and no one else I know carries one!

Where else in Delhi could I find your bags? Can I order online?

Thanks

Mandira Kalra Kalaan

100% Natural

2011-03-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

Its summer time and in Delhi that means heat and dust of course but also a lot of mosquitoes and flies. I am not a fan of good nite and mosquito coils and was looking for alternatives.
On a recent trip to Pune i found some interesting traditional alternatives in Kolsa Gali in the old part of town.

Loban is a resin which when burnt on hot coal emits vapours that drive away flies and mosquitoes. Remember old guest house rooms in small towns being smoked out in the night?

Dhoop a thicker form of agarbati (incense) is seen at all fruit sellers stalls and i am guessing it is used to drive away flies.

This unusual agarbatti holder caught my eye at a steel utensil shop.

Didn't think driving away flies and mosquitoes could be fun!

Gamcha bags

2011-03-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

Artist Mario D'Souza carrying a limited edition Gamcha Bag from Pure Ghee Designs!

On my plate

2011-03-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

This is what i have on my plate these days. Planning my new collection of bags.
Chomping on colours, textiles and hardware!
Its promising to be a rather bright affair. Definitely not for the faint at heart!

Pure Ghee for India India

2011-03-07T03:12:00.000-08:00

Amita is a regular customer of Pure Ghee bags. Owner of the brand India India, she suggested i design a range of evening bags for her using her beautiful textiles.
I thought it would be an interesting exercise as i have been getting many requests for evening bags myself. Here are the four designs i created for her.

Fuschia potli

Black, red and white thali

Peacock Thaili

Yummy red bandhni with fuschia trim

I felt really sad letting them go!

Surajkund Mela - quirky and colourful

2011-03-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

Every year i am in two minds whether its worth the haul to go to Suraj Kund Mela in Faridabad. But i end up going every year! Here are some of the things i enjoyed seeing.

Painted terracotta

Enbroideries from Afghanistan

Patchwork umbrellas

Performance artist from Andhra Pradesh

Waste fabric rugs

Funky Hairstyle!

Mens' Kolhapuri Chappals

Tara from Nepal (love the peaceful face)

Sola pith garlands from West Bengal

Rajasthani Gota duppatta - i bought!

Waste fabric boa i could not resist!

Samode Safari Lodge unvieled

2011-02-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

Now that i have talked about some of the elements that went into the making of the interiors, a peek into the sum of the parts. Here are some images of the way the spaces shaped up finally.
Images courtesy Samode Hotels Pvt Ltd.
For further details log on to http://www.samode.com/

Main Lounge

Bedroom

Individual sitting room

Bathroom

Dining Room

Details at Samode Safari Lodge

2011-02-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

Its the little details that give the Lodge a personal touch. A place that feels like a home rather than a hotel.

Burnt wood birdies

Tribal candle stand

Tribal brass figures (that remind me of mavi people!) on natural grass boxes

Tribal brass mask from Chattisgarh

Leather puppets from Andhra

Leather puppets from Andhra on the fire place

Large baskets in sabai grass from Orrisa

Sabai grass waste paper baskets

Mud relief of walls

Gond motifs tolled on granite in the shower area

Tranfers with gond motifs on glass panels in the bathrooms

Stone monkeys at the poolside

Textiles for Samode Safari Lodge

2011-02-27T07:47:00.001-08:00

Textiles from Kutch, Kashmir and Rajasthan added a variety of textures to the interiors of Samode Safari Lodge. They were sourced keeping in mind the look and theme of the Lodge. I would say it was all about creating "rugged luxury"

Crewel work from Kashmir

Dinning chairs upholstered with crewel work fabric and leather

Gajji silk and Mashru fabrics from Kutch

Cushions for the lounge in Gajji silk and Mashru fabrics

Ajrak printed Gajji silk cushions

Running stitch quilts from Rajasthan

Patch work with running stitch quilts with matching cushion in bedrooms

Shawls with tassels from Kutch

Kalamkari paintings for Samode Safari Lodge

2011-02-13T21:58:00.000-08:00

Apart from the gond paintings i was thinking of what other art form i could use to bring out the mood of the jungle. For the bedrooms i wanted something sophisticated and in keeping with the "being one with nature" feel.

Kalamkari paintings by J. Niranjan were my natural choice. Niranjan is one of the most talented Kalamkari artists in the country. The quality and finesse of his paintings make his work stand apart.

I took some of his existing tree of life paintings and added a twist to it. The antlers of the deer transformed into the branches of the tree, an elephant began playing with them , a monkey sitting on the branch announces the tiger's arrival.

Oh! the jungle can be such fun!

Iron figures from Chattisgarh

2011-02-07T22:37:00.000-08:00

The interesting part of the assignment for Samode Safari Lodge was to identify crafts suitable for the Safari theme. I wanted to work with sheet metal workers from Chattisgarh and this proved to be a good opportunity.

The animal figures would work well i thought, by enlarging the scale for exteriors. I worked on sketches based on their existing forms like a hunting party, peacocks, deer and some interesting hybrids combining animal and man.

Shankarlal Vishwakarma, a black metal craftsperson from Chattisgarh worked me on the project and produced these pieces.

Gond painting for spa walls

2011-02-02T22:05:00.000-08:00

Samode Safari Lodge has a separate spa building inspired by the vernacular architecture. I decided to take this approach forward and create a fresh and restful mood in the interiors. For the walls i wanted to use the texture created by traditional lepai, a practice commonly used to hand paint mud walls in the villages, and add an element of surprise by juxtaposing it with blue birds painted in gond style.

My sketches were very well translated by Gond artist, Venkat Singh Shyam. We decided to tone down the colours as we wanted a very subtle feel.

Gond murals at Samode Safari Lodge

2011-02-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

My role at the Samode Safari lodge was to design and source local crafts for the interiors. The brief was to create a contemporary interpretation of traditional craft techniques.

The resort has 12 individual suites and I began by designing murals to come on one large wall of the luxurious bathrooms in the suites. The walls measured approximately 24feet by 8feet. Each bathroom had a different mural.

The process started by looking for suitable animal froms within the gond tradition. Tigers, monkeys, sambar deer, wild boar and birds of different types emerged. I sketched compositions keeping in mind the layout of the bathroom and suggested colour schemes.

The murals were created on site by reknowned gond artists Venkat Singh Shyam and Dileep.

We had to change some compositions and colours on site as what looked perfect on paper did not work on the wall. In the end we had 12 murals each unique, touching a theme close to the gond tradition. And as you sink into the decadent tub you can stare into the detailed texture that mesmerises you from within the form.

Bandhavgarh - Call of the wild

2011-01-29T00:31:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to Bandhavgarh to document the work i did at Samode Safari Lodge, I had the opportunity to go for a safari ride in the jungle. Although i was not lucky enough to see a tiger, the experience of being in the jungle opened up my senses.

The sounds of the birds and animals were crystal clear, better than any surround sound system money can buy. The wait for the tiger and the entire drama played out by the animals and birds in the jungle to mark its arrival builds up the anticipation and is more entertaining than a hollywood thriller!

So if you are feeling a little jaded by the malls and the fast but often monotonous life in the big city, heading straight to a jungle would be great idea!

Will be posting pictures of some of my work at the lodge shortly.

10 Windmill Place - our studio and home

2011-01-22T23:27:00.000-08:00

Was waiting for the light to get better to take some good pictures of our new home and studio.
Here are some views of the house from the street.

Designed by our friend architect Madhu Shankar the criteria was to create space for work and living.

For us it has been 14 months of step by step learning of how a house is built.

The most beautiful gift

2011-01-18T21:15:00.001-08:00

This sunday we received the most beautiful gift from our friend Pradeep Sachdeva. A bag full of fresh veggies grown at his farm.

My brother who is visiting us, made the most amazing meal using them in our new kitchen, the space we are enjoying the most in the new house.

Our neighbours came over for dinner.

Life is beautiful!

Cool conference bags

2011-01-16T03:31:00.000-08:00

Pure Ghee Designs was asked by the World Crafts Council to design and produce conference bags for "Abhushan" the international summit on jewelry design to be held in New Delhi from 4 - 6 Feb 2011.

Silver combined with jewel tones is the chosen colour scheme. These simple silk bags are bejeweled with the trade mark Pure Ghee charms!

Key charms for the new home!

2011-01-14T03:03:00.000-08:00

Set about organising the keys to the new house and studio today.
It was much easier when we were in a flat, we had just the keys to the main door and no lockable cupboards in the house.
Now there are keys to the studio, home, cupboards....

So although i am not a keybunch-carrying-sort of a person, i decided to make some interesting bunches, one for S in blue (no pinks he shrieked!), one in pink (what else!) for me and one in purple and green for general use to go with the colour scheme of the house.

While i was at it i decided to dig into my trinket box and add some bits and baubles, some old silver earrings that i dont use anymore.

The usual pure ghee detail of leather trim and a brass dog hook makes it strong enough to carry a heavy set of keys and gives you the flexibitlity to attach it to your existing key ring as well.

Inspired to do a few more.... let me know if you would want to get one custom made! Also accepting any bits and baubles you guys are not using anymore!

New Studio

2011-01-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I have some exciting news.
Pure Ghee Designs has moved to a new studio!
It is one of the reasons why i have not been too active on the blog lately.
But i am happy to be back.
Will be posting more photos of the new home and studio shortly.

So if you are in Delhi or passing through do visit us at

10 Windmill place,
Ayanagar Village, Phase V,
New Delhi, 1100047.
Ph: 9810500280

Chatak Bags

2010-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Time to unveil the new collection of outrageously colourful bags.

Do come and visit my stall at the designer's corner.

at
Nature Bazaar
21-31 Oct 2010,

IGNCA,

Rajendra Prasad Road, (near Hotel Meridian),

New Delhi.

Fashion and colours from Umaria, MP

2010-09-26T10:37:00.001-07:00

On a recent trip to Bandhavgarh i had a chance to visit the sunday market in Umaria, a nearby town. Came back with loads of colour and inspiration!

"Accessorize"

Fashion forward

Tweet from Umaria

Alessi eat your heart out!

Rumal rang

PGD on Of Indian Origin

2010-09-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

A Modern Take on Traditional Craft :)

Pure Ghee Designs has been featured on this cool blog Of Indian Origin
Feels great to be featured with creative souls across India !

Thanks Nisha for posting my work on your blog

"When a door closes, a window opens"

2010-09-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

I was not the chosen one.
I was sulking, thought i had a good chance.

And as i got fidgety i looked around and one seat away from me sat a woman with a Pure Ghee Designs bag!!
She had got it from me a year ago, at the Nature Bazaar and she still seemed to be enjoying it.

Hmmm..... Its not that bad after all.
I have my nose down working hard for the upcoming Nature Bazaar.

Shortlisted for British Council's YCE Award!

2010-08-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to share with you that I have been shortlisted for the YCE Awards by British Council. Did not expect this! Especially because Pure Ghee Designs (the company) is less than a year old.

The process of putting together my presentation has helped me articulate how i would like to take my business forward. Will share excerpts from it soon.

Shelf Life

2010-08-09T00:52:00.000-07:00

I am a hoarder of all things bright! Although i like to lead a clutter free life i just cant seem to get over my addiction of objects that have a story to tell. Living in Delhi does make it easy for a collector of objects. Dust plays havoc. So i decided to limit my display to a glass shelf in the living room.

I was staring at it while having my morning chai and telling S how i need to design a header for my blog and he said why don't you make the glass shelf your header. That was a brilliant idea i thought. At the moment the objects on the shelf are a mix of things i picked up on my travels gifts from friends and family and a box i painted myself. Eclectic, bright and fun. That is my header!

Pink elephant from Jim Thompson, Bankok

Painted wooden parrot, Banares, small globe (a reminder to travel the world)

Box i painted

Creature in clay from Mexico

Sexy fisherwoman in clay from Banares

Chowmahalla Palace

2010-07-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

My friends Tanveen and Mishri were visiting Hyderabad for the first time and their trip would not have been complete without visiting the Charminar. I never tire of going to Charminar and Lad bazaar the bangle market in one of the by lanes. But this time i also got to go to the Chowmahalla Palace the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad.

I have to admit that i came back very impressed. Not so much by the architecture but by the way it has been restored, the displays and the maintainance not just of the built envoirnment but the gardens as well. Having recently visited the very badly kept palace of the Maharaja of Varanasi, this was a pleasant surprise.

Here are some of the things i loved at the palace shot with the camera on my phone. I could not shoot the beautiful textiles on display because of the low lighting conditions. I highly recommend taking out time to visit this slice from history on your next trip to Hyderabad.

Detail of the arabesque like(?) plaster work on the exterior

Darbar hall

Tutti fruti Belgian chandelier

Nizams' official stationery

Colourful tiled flooring

View from one of the corridors

Hyderabad responds

2010-07-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Pure Ghee Designs had its first exhibition outside Delhi in Hyderabad. It was great to be in my home city with my bags and Tanveen's boxes. We had a very encouraging response.

We did well in terms of sales. Our percentage of sales per day was higher as compared to Delhi. But with all the overhead costs of traveling and transporting etc the net profit remains the same if not lesser. Plus the 14.5% VAT on bags in Hyderabad was something i was not prepared for! So this was a learning experience in terms things to keep in mind while planning a traveling exhibition.

Akruti Vastra was predominantly a sari exhibition. It is an annual fund raiser of the crafts council of Andhra Pradesh. It was inspiring to watch the ladies of the council moving around from dawn to dusk to make sure things went on smoothly. They had even organised yummy andhra lunch for all the participants at a nominal cost.

I was always looking out for dull moments at the stall to look at other goodies available. When your work involves being surrounded by these beautiful textiles you can never complain!

Product profile: Banares Bag

2010-07-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorites, its practical and fun! I wanted to create something i could carry everyday and yet it had to have a sense of history, a cherished piece of textile. The bag is made from thick poly silk quilted with a canvas lining and the pocket is a piece of brocade i had been saving up forever or a kantha or a piece of crazy pink fabric that i cant find anymore.
The bag has a zip closure an inner zipped pocket and a outer pocket for your car keys etc.

Hyderabad here we come!

2010-07-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Product profile: Ajrak bags

2010-07-01T00:49:00.000-07:00

This large day bag is made from hand block printed cotton. This is a limited edition piece as the print keeps changing with every production cycle.

It is lined with canvas, has a magnetic closure, zipped inner pocket, leather handles and brass hardware.

It also has a funky side pocket for your mobile.

Product profile: Gajji bags

2010-06-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

Made from the finest "gajji" silk, these bags are great for work and party. They are lined with canvas to give them body and have inner pockets and zip closures. The handles are in leather and hardware is brass.

Product profile 2 : Quirky Katwa pouches

2010-06-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

These pouches are embroidered by tribal women of Sirali Mahila Jivan in Jharkhand. Originally this was a means of recycling old cloth and creating beautiful narratives on cloth in the process. Available in Car, leaf, flower, heart and fish motifs.

Made from raw silk they come in assorted sizes. The zipper converts into a handle so you can carry it around on your arm as well.

The insides are lined with old silk saris.

Product profile: Mobile pouches

2010-06-14T04:58:00.001-07:00

These limited edition mobile pouches are in stock now!

Large enough to fit a blackberry, these are ideal for times when you dont want to carry your large bag around or if you are the forgetful sorts like me :)

There is a pocket at the back where you can put your card or some cash which you might need to buy yourself coffee when you are roaming around without your wallet!

Made from mushru a very beautiful fabric which you can read more about here.

5 things

2010-06-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

Little things can bring so much joy! These are the five things i am enjoying right now.

Finally bought this milton thermos bottle for cool water on the unbearably warm, long rides around the city.

Dhokra(sand cast bronze) animals, i picked up from Mrignayani

Soft cotton Kurta pyjama with chikan work from Lal Bihari Tandon.

Japanese green tea Vidya brought back from Kyoto

Fresh salads on warm summer nights

Amaltas 2010

2010-05-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yes it is unbearably hot in Delhi now. Many people are going away from the city to cooler climes. But even in this dreadful weather the Amaltas tree blooms and inspires joy. Striking, unabashed, over the top, brightest yellow ever. I wish i could post its heady smell on the blog.

S asks me why i am so late from my morning walk, here is the reason why. I just cant help but stop and stare.

Working with Grass

2010-05-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

Last week i was conducting a natural fibre workshop with traditional craftspeople from Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The workshop was organised by Dastkar as an attempt to provide new product development to these groups in order to enhance sales.

Basketry is a time consuming craft, so we could only introduce some new ideas which the craftspeople will take forward in their own time before they return for a follow up workshop.

Sikki grass basketry is done by women from Bihar. This form of basketry is whimsical with figurative forms like animals, birds and lots of gods. I took flowers as my theme worked with forms adding beads and cowries. These could be adapted into making a brooch or a ring. The cat is a box is a cat!

Sabai grass and date palm leaves are abundant in Orissa and are used to make rope and plaits which are further converted into baskets or covering furniture. Enthusiastic and perky Nirupama was a great to work with. She had come with her brother and three year old daughter Titli. Titli was a very talkative and playful child but not once did I feel that she came in the way of her mother’s work. They came from Baliapal in Orissa. Their organisation RAHWA provides livelihood opportunities to rural women in the area.

I wanted to introduce a free flowing, random pattern in their work which resulted in the crazy curves basket and the flower bag.

Workshoping with leather artisans

2010-04-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

I was working on new designs with leather in a workshop with leather artisans from different parts of the country organised by Dastkar.

This blue beauty is result of trying to find new ways of colouring leather with artisans from Shantiniketan.

Stories on a Napkin – Chamba Rumal

2010-04-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited an exhibition that left me thinking - sublime.

The Delhi Crafts Council has spent over a decade reviving the art of double sided embroidery on rumals in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The exhibition titled Raas was the culmination of their efforts. These rumals are square cloths, used to cover platters as gifts for the deity or during marraiges for exchanging gifts.

This art form is the coming together of Pahari miniature painting tradition and do- rukha (double sided) embroidery done with silk floss. The speciality of this technique is that the embroidery appears to be the same on both sides of the cloth. The drawing for the embroidery is done by Pahari Miniature artists, usually men and the embroidery is done by women. No wonder then that the themes usually revolve around Lord Krishna.

What struck me most was the sophisticated use of colour, the diaphanous muslin on which the embroidery is done giving the whole piece a sacred glow and the manner in which the exhibition was mounted. Though very simple it was the details that made it special. Bamboo display structures, marigolds strings arranged at the entrance of the exhibition, grass mats on the floor, lovely muslin bags in which the pieces on sale were packaged.

It was no ordinary exhibition this, it uplifted my spirit in every sense of the word. I do not know about the commercial viability of this art form but in the spiritual realm its is truly priceless

Effects of Spring/Summer

2010-04-04T23:32:00.000-07:00

I am very distracted these days. And its because its 'that' time of the year again. Everything is sprouting and growing. I end up looking at trees and missing the turn i was suppose to take.

The trees in Delhi are playing out their yearly drama. First they drop their leaves, revealing the beautiful branches. I thought that was suppose to happen in Autumn? But Pradip Kishen explains in his book Trees of Delhi that monsoon trees drop their leaves in response to drought not cold. The neem trees on Race course road shower yellow confetti like leaves when you drive past, which swirl around the wheels when they drop on the road. Some how I never seem to mind the long distances in Delhi during this season!

Before you know brand new leaves sprout back in colors ranging from a raw green,burnt umber and red creating the most beautiful sights.

The not so pleasing side effects are that our car is covered in sticky juices every morning secreted by the trees in the parking lot and we have many visiting bees and wasps in the house!

BASANT BAZAAR 2010

2010-03-03T02:05:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone who came to our stall. We had a brilliant response!
All the initial apprehension of having a stall in a not so exciting location at the bazaar vanished as we realized that if you have a good product at a good price with the right audience, it will sell.

There is nothing more satisfying than getting direct feedback about your product from a customer and to see your designs find a market. What is even more encouraging was to have repeat customers and have people make a connect with your brand. All this and a lot more like catching up with old friends, making new friends, meeting relatives, craft lovers, store owners and interesting people from all over the world happened during the ten day Basant Bazaar organised by Dastkar.

IGNCA grounds proved to be the perfect setting for the event, the trees looked liked they had come out to give their blessings to the event, the wind and the rain gods did not want to be left behind either.

No shopping experience is complete without good food. A new attraction at the food section was Prima Kurien's Kerala cuisine, she roped in Mishri, Tanveen’s younger sister to make desserts for her. So apart from all the excitement of selling bags and boxes we now having samplings of carrot cake, caramel custard and lamingtons! It could not have gotten better!

Never knew having your own business can be so empowering!

A do - nothing weekend at Keseroli

2010-03-01T04:34:00.000-08:00

Eat, sleep, take long baths and admire flora and fauna is all we did this weekend at Neemrana’s The Hill Fort at Keseroli, built in the 14th century. An early birthday treat, it was indulgence all the way!

S took me there to unwind, something both of us needed quite badly. We started late on saturday morning hoping we would not encounter weekday traffic, but we could not have been more wrong. Everyone seemed headed somewhere away from Delhi for the Holi weekend. After what seemed a never ending drive on a hot summer day, we were greeted by the fuchsia pink bougainvillea blooms at the entrance. My joy was doubled when I saw the hotel staff dressed in kurtas of the same colour.

It is a small and intimate property, just right for a weekend getaway. The décor is understated and yet each room has a theme and a different look. We stayed at the tota mahal. A bright green tota cushion cover, old prints of the Indian parakeet, block printed furnishings in shades of green and yellow and lots of live parakeets on the bushes outside completed the interior of our room. Other rooms that inspired were the hindola mahal, that had a swing in the room and the sitara mahal done up in blue.

The terrace, verandahs and the central courtyard offered a great interplay of interiors and exteriors. From the terrace, looking down the mustard fields extended endlessly. The courtyard had came alive with trees like neem, kikar, kachnar,babool and shisham bringing the outdoors inside.

The food was a mix of Indian and Continental fare. Normally i avoid buffets because i end up eating far more than i need to. But since the theme for this weekend was indulgence i let go! Did i forget to mention the desserts at the end of each meal were to die for!

De stressed and ready for action!

Production woes!

2010-02-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Inspite of planning meticulously one of the things that most start up designers face is production problems. I was excited to work on a new range of laptop sleeves this time. Apart from market research, I had found out that the most common size of laptop used among people I know is the 14.5 inch Windows based systems.

The first sleeve I sampled though, was to fit my Mac notebook 15". For production I gave dimensions for 20 pieces of 14.5" Windows based systems to my vendor. Turns out he produces 20 pieces in the Mac 15" size!

All I can do now is hope that enough Mac 15" or 13" windows users visit my stall and like the sleeve.

You know what they say - Life is what happens when you are making other plans.

Pure Ghee Designs at Basant Bazaar

2010-02-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Gajji silk bags

2010-02-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

Gajji silk is a heavy satin silk fabric common in Gujrat, used to make wedding saris with Bandhani work on them. It has a rich sheen and is softer than other silk weaves. More recently this fabric has been used by the ajrakh block printers resulting in lush, rich, bright, printed silk. I was itching to use this fabric to make bags. The result is a small hand bag that can looks formal but not blingy. I have also combined it with mushroo, the other satin weave from Gujarat.

Lo phir Basant aayi....

2010-02-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

famous song sung by Mallika Pukhraj I remember listening to as a child on DD and my dad's cassette player. I loved the voice and the melody. The lyrics didn't mean much to me then, it is only now that i connect it to this beautiful change of season, the mustard fields turning into a vast yellow expanse and of course the upcoming crafts bazaar by Dastkar called BASANT(Spring time) which i am participating in with my friend Tanveen of Organic connect.

Busy with last miniute preparations, I am loving making the bag charms/key chains from the leftover fabrics.Putting together the fabric, beads and baubles is such fun, that this time i decided to do it by myself. 200 of them.

At our stall you will find jungle charms made from scraps of ajrak fabrics and Banares beads

Flower motifs of kalamkari are lined with kinari and jazzed up with gold thread beads

My favorite the bright pink ones made from scarps of banares brocade, organza and silk

I had made them for the first time for the Nature bazaar in November and they proved to be quite a crowd puller. I guess everybody loves a little bit of whimsy!

The simple life- Mardari Village

2010-02-03T17:54:00.000-08:00

Observing people in the village had a calming effect. They lead a simple life. No, it was not perfect by any means and yet the thing to learn is to lead a life that nurtures contentment.

They start their day at crack of dawn and stop work at sunset.

They eat food that they grow or make themselves. Home grown vegetables, hand pounded rice and wheat, milk comes from cows they rare and eggs from chicken part of almost all households.

Physical labour is an integral part of life. I could not spot a single obese person there.

They have few possesions. Most objects were functional and alive with a glow that comes from everyday use and care.

Art in every household - Bandhavgarh

2010-02-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

I was taken by my architect friend to an upcoming resort he is building in Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh. My job was to see how I could infuse local folk art in the interiors. As soon as I arrived there we were taken to the Mardari village near by.

The walls of village homes were plastered with mud and became a canvas for the women of the house. Symbols of fertility, growth and prosperity in mud relief were abundant on both exterior and interior walls.

The entrances of some houses were decorated with borders. A very interesting discovery was the use of glass bangles as part of the decoration. The courtyards were plastered with cow dung and patterns were drawn in lime. Creativity was part of every household here.

After soaking in the inspiration from the village I set out to try my hand on the walls of the resort. letting loose the inner artist brought out the wild side, elephants, tigers, monkeys and deer.

1001 cups

2009-12-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

It is rare to come across a group show that is well curated and gives a feeling of coherence when you leave it. 1001 cups is one such exhibition, crated by swiss ceramist and teacher Claude Presset. It is on at the crafts museum until 31 Dec and has cups made by both contemporary and traditional potters from all over the world.
Although the exhibition had a more technical categorisation, for me the cups fell into 3 categories. Here are some of my favourtes in each category.

FORM

TEXTURE

NARRATIVE

The other thing i loved about the exhibition was the display, it is designed to travel. Elements like signage, lighting were built into the display unit that doubles as the packaging for transport. Very functional and clean.

pouches etc

2009-12-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Some of the smaller pouches and bag charms turned out to be a super hit at the exhibition.

Chamki pouches

appliqued car pouch

mushru clutch

bag charm made from left overs of fabrics