A Soul Clenched

Initially I had titled my research paper as: Challenges and learning opportunities for Himroo of Aurangabad. As I was refining the paper further, the title felt more like an essay and less like a title. So I changed it to Himroo: A Soul Clenched

Why such a title? It is inspired from one of Pablo Neruda’s poem called Clenched Soul. Because I believe when circumstances give you a clenched feeling, or when you clench your teeth, it is time to fight back for yourself and make a significant change against the unpleasant circumstances you have been facing. Currently this is what Himroo of Aurangabad is facing – some unpleasant circumstances.

Himroo became a part of my life since 2007 when I was studying post graduate program in NID. For past 11 years it was an on and off relationship with Himroo which began as a craft documentation project, then a photo shoot project, a craft publication project and so on. In November 2018, with a clenched soul I decided to end this relationship by presenting a design research paper at INSIGHT 2018 – A Design Research Symposium at NID, Ahmedabad.

Indeed a clenched soul of Himroo and a clenched soul of myself form two different metaphors here. But life is that way – sometimes quite hopeful and not always determined. I go with what Rumi says, “Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.”

The research paper will be part of a publication by NID soon.

Sharing few images and slides of my presentation here.

I began and concluded the presentation with images of women Himroo weavers as they are the only hope for the craft to survive and sustain further. 

Napkin Rings

Sustainable design!
Ahmedabad block print fabrics are fused and stitched into classic finished napkin rings. Very ethnic and sophisticated. I Love them! Do you? :)

CONVOCATION

Find me !!

NID's 30th Convocation was held on 8th December 2009. We all were so excited for this day. We worked so very hard for this day, but the day got over too soon! The above is a group photograph of 223 students convocating this year along with the faculty members at NID.

The Chief guest and speaker on this event was Padma Bhushan Sir Mark Tully, an eminent broadcaster and writer. His speech was very energetic and indeed very inspiring. We were given our graduating certificates by Mr. Salman Haider, Chairperson, NID Governing Council.

A Walk on Shadows

Rainbow

It is a Fabric Rainbow!!

Photograph: Ankur Mill, Ahmedabad

Thousands of meters of fabric is wound on a roller to undergo finishing process.

Geometries in Architecture

Image: Pre-Mughal architecture at Chapaner, Gujarat

Basic shapes mould into composite forms

Knit together to make fascinating patterns

Tessellate to build a surface

And all together make a structure…simply a piece of architecture.

(not that simple though!)

Tessellated Imagery

The rains have begun. In Mumbai, not in Ahmedabad yet. Everyone in NID is craving for rains, I know, many posts on FB read such lines! so here are some snails...

... for a pre-rain experience

... some swans sailing on a silent lake

...with paperboats on roadsides of the oldcity

and the birds... post monsoon on the Thodd Lake.

Missing aapnu Amdavad!