I have been eyeing these shops in Bandra for over 1 and 1/2 yrs. ... the beautiful ornate frames were too tempting to resist ... and I knew the craftsmenship had to be from Saharanpur ... where is Saharanpur ... :) ... well ! you'll be forgiven to have missed that ... its a small town in UttarPradesh (one of the north Indian States) ... but its a town steeped in history and history that dates it back to Indus Valley Civilisation ...
This small ,dusty, polluted town ... is home, to one of the most beautiful woodworking styles of India ... the Anguri (Angur in Hindi means grapes and so Anguri ref.'s to grapevine) ... where the wood is carved into intricate grapevine ... in a melange of Mughal and Indian Styles ... (like in the frame I found above) ...
... my imagination was going crazy with the kind of possibilities with these raw pieces ... there aren't too many shops ... (if it was on your mind to ask) ... just about 9-10 of them ... but lovely workmanship ... I found myself gurgling with excitement ... ;) ... quite like my lil' Sarah goes in a toy store ... :)
... for many I meet, the possibilities of such pieces ... gelling in with different styles of interiors is a tad bit difficult to imagine. It's not so, you know ... innovative finishes, experimenting around a bit and wala ... :) ... check out some of the pictures I found for you ...
A similar carved frame with a white finish ... Hmmm ...
... Here's a picture of Designer Kishani Perera's work ... I am completely in love with her style ... absolutely ecelectic ... and in here I loved how she finished the mirror frame above the cabinet ...
Oh! these corinthian bases ... I think they were left overs from a table leg ... sigh!!! ... a failed attempt at bargaining ... O.K ,I own up... I think I was just being cheeky :) ... trying to strike a dirt cheap deal ... knowing I'm off to Delhi anyways so I'm in for loads more ... never mind loosing the deal here ... :)
... Ah! this chair here ... Sam was all ready to buy it ... :) ... wow can you believe it ... my Husband needs no prodding ... he's as addicted as I am ... infact he is quick to help, knowing bargaining is a loosing game for me ...
... the details of the chair back were really beautiful ... it can sure make such an interesting dining chair or even an accent chair ... a definite conversation piece though ...
... I walk into this next shop and there staring at me was this bed footboard ( behind it ,you can see what was the headboard... of that particular set) ... and instantly it reminded me of a similar piece Brooke Giannneti (from over at Velvet and Linen) has used in her bedroom ...
... I think it has distressed finish (I'll go back and check on her blog) ... I so loved what Brooke has done here in her room ... and the carved piece fits in so subtly ... and there's definitly great character added to the room with the piece ... do check out her blog ... I really enjoy her brand of designing ...
... a gilded piece ... I could fit that right in ... in an interior, done along modern lines ...
... I'd found this picture for the Adobe style, post I'd done ... and I remember how intrigued I was with the bed curtains hung from the carved piece ...
... looking around its amazing to discover what you'll discover ... from a console table to a cabinet ... or a door ... the frames are ofcourse .... GALORE ... :) ... just as are the options of what to do with them ...
... paint them a different ... color .... polish them an unusual shade ...
.... thought I'd add in some more inspirational picture ... just to poke you with some ideas from here and there ...
... Hmm ...mmm .. now what could I think of with that ...
... hanging them like that is the worst thing you can do to a person like me ... what with my obssessive compulsive disorder ... I can't just buy one ... and I hate to leave any behind ... Gosh ! I wonder if that's why God made me a designer ... 'Honey, go have fun ... you'll be a designer' ... wow ... I do love it ... thankyou dear God! ... :)
... and if I bought them all ... I'd probably do exactly what Kishani Perera did in this powder room ...
... I second this style ... sometimes ... I sooo ... love the frame as a piece of art by itself that ... I don't want it to frame anything ... just beautiful as it is as an empty frame ...
... for all those who aren't so sure how a carved piece would fit into a modern room ... well , I'd say fabulously ... :)
... or how about converting it into a conversational piece tray ... taa ... daa ...
... either which way ... you decide ... and in case your heart decides to make a trip and check out these shops ... well ! Here's where to go ... S.V road Bandra (W) ... its right off the exit you take on the Western Expressway to come on to S.V road (Bandra) ... to head onto Linking Road ... infact look carefully for some cane furniture shops and carved frames hanging around ... near a Mosque ... Hope you have a lovely time and remember ... there's nothing like a fixed price and there's no parking around either ... ;)
I'd sure look forward to hearing from you, if you enjoyed my lil' trip and hope you liked the Saharanpur Style ...
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43 comments:
Rajee, thanks for the wonderful trip loved it,Indian craftmanship is so under showcased hope these talents dont do extinct
A great post, Rajee!
Love this
beautiful...great post and super detail and of course awesome pics!
I saw this stall in a mela in pune and had vowed to get atleast a tray for myself.
i loved the post.gorgeous work by the craftsmen.I have been long searching for a perfect tray.
Burning midnight oil..lol.loved the comment.
Hi Rajee,
Your post got me thinking. A few months ago i picked up a pair of garden chairs and i saw similar frames. I only admired them but dint go beyond that to know the style and origin of the art. Thank you so much.
You can see my garder chairs here http://www.flickr.com/photos/preethiprabhu/3974029375/
This is absolutely super!!
Wow..that was really beautiful!..great one to read!
Great post...love the tray idea
Sometimes, your blog proves such an awesome escape from all the stoopid things in life and work. Loved the post...
Wow! Those pieces are so~ beautiful....it shows pieces like that shows timeless beauty that is borderless...
I wish we see more craftmanships like those instead of mass manufactured pieces more in our life :)
Hi Sree,
I share your sentiments ... that would be a sad day.I'm glad you enjoyed reading about it ... :) thankyou to you too ... :)
Hey Aditi,
Lovely to hear from you ... Oh! I am so happy you too enjoyed it ... :)
Hi Elisa,
I'm glad to have you over and read your comments ... :)
Hi Sudha,
How wonderful ... hope to have inspired you to go for it next time ... ;)
Hi Lakshmi,
:) ... great, you liked it too ... I just fell in love with this work ... and hope to see some grand pictures if your tray idea comes through ;)
By the way ... all myy work happens at night ... was so glad to see you slog it out too ... ;)
Hi Preethi,
Love your chairs ... have see similar ones at my co- sisters place ... you should check out more about them from the shops ... it makes me more fond of the piece I pick ,knowing the history and the work that goes behind it ... but I am glad you enjoyed reading about it here ... :)
Hi Double Inverted commas,
Thankyou so much ... glad you enjoyed the post ... and took the time to leave me your comments ... :)
Hi Srivalli,
THankyou for taking the time to leave me a comment ... :)
Hi Prachi,
Glad you enjoyed the post ... I too am quite in love with the tray idea ... lets see if we can comeup with some interesting trays ... what you say ... :)
Hi Praji,
Wow! am I glad I can help you out with that dept. sometimes ... will try to make it more often ... keep the inputs coming ... :)
Hi Nozomi,
I couldn't agree anyless with you ... I so enjoy waiting and then hitting upon such pieces ... true such work has a universal appeal ... glad you are on board too ... :)
Oh, these are sooo lovely! There is this set of craftsmen from Saharanpur who sell their products at Delhi Haat, and each time I pick up something or the other. Not only do they have intricate wood carvings, but also very french cottage style artefacts...patina finished in diff colors, off-white/aged lamp bases, frames, trays and loads of other things. Just waiting for you to come to Ggn now so that we can go treasure hunting together ;)
Hi Bhavna,
I think I know the ones you are talking about ... yep! I'm all game for some great hunting expeditions ... Watchout Gurgaon ... here I come ... ;)
Hi dear Rajee! I can't describe the excitement I had on reading this post. I am presently living in Saharanpur and yet the way you have shown the exquisite craftsmanship of this place, I couldn't have.
There is a whole big 'Lakdi' market here and the craft is extraordinary. Most of the product is exported and the ones on display make you marvel at the skill of these people.
And if I may add - you are cordially invited to experience the place and the craft first hand, I will be more than glad to show you around.
Hi Doctor (with the green thumb),
Early morning,I couldn't believe reading your comment.It's one of the most heartfelt ones I have ever received.If you are serious about your offer ... I am dead serious about taking you up on it.I am anyways moving to Gurgaon in Feb. end... meaning I'll be much closer :) ... and if you are still open to it ... I am super excited ... would love to see, the Lakdhi Bazaar with you ... :)
Do find me on FAce book if you are it too ... would absolutely love to hook up.Thankyou sooo ... muchfor such a lovely comment... :)
Hi Rajee,
I started following your blog until recently. And i think i commented on one of the posts earlier also on the excellent pieces you write, straight from the heart.
But this particular one not only took my breath away but also transported me 14-15 years back in time when i was a little girl in Dehradun and my mom would go to saharanpur at every given opportunity to scour thru the lakdi bazaar, u see being an army brat mysel we were never stationed in a place too long and no one understood that better than my mom. Make hay while the sun shines philosophy.
thanks again for posting such a lovely piece.
Best,
Neha
Hi Neha,
Oh! I completely know what you are talking about ... I am a completely spoilt army brat myself ... ;),I'm sure you know what that means ... :)I am soooo ... happy to hear from you.
Do keep writing in to me ... it feels awesome to hear from my readers ... yep! I do write things impromtu ... I think it makes life easier for me ... but I never really paid much attention to that really speaking ... but I'm glad atleast I am not getting negative feedback ... phew!!! ... :)
And I'd rather involve the heart than the head(sometimes I got to do that) ... but mostly that's how as a Sardarni I operate ... :).
Honestly, lovely hearing from you. YOu can even find me on facebook ... would be even better to hear from you there as well... :)
I absolutely LOVE those frames!!! I wish I could hop in my jet right this minute and go there.....Buy, BUY, BUY!!!! I want one!!!
Beautiful!!!!!
Just visiting from another blog... if you have more finds like that, I will be back often!!
Thank you,
Robin
Hi Rajee
Have been reading some of your blogs...it's amazing. You obviously know a lot :-) Thanks for this wonderful post on sahranpur. I am from Bangalore and making a trip down to Mumbai the coming week. Would you be kind enough to direct me to this place in Bandra for a quick look.
Regards
Karthik
Hi there,( at Yuppies Gone Homesteading)
I am so excited you too share my sentiments about the beautiful pieces ... and sure hope you will enjoy many more posts on my blog... meaning sure I'd love to hear more and moreoften from you ... thanks for stopping by and leaving me your comments... :)
Hi Kartik,
The details of getting to this place are at the bottom of the post ... but in case you are not comfortable with just those ... lets see ... aaah! ... you will need to ask to be taken to the junction where western expressway exits to join Bandra (W) on the S.V road ... the landmark in this area is the Mosque in white and green ... at the moment do remember take a cab or an auto because there is no parking since major work is on ... on the pedestrian over bridge ... there are just a few shops ... but you will also see some cane furniture shops as ref.point and a few more shops quite near the underside of the expressway bridge.
Hope this helps ... and you enjoy what you get to see... :)
These are gorgeous!! I am so smitten with intricately carved frames in all colors of late.
So happy to find your lovely blog!
Hi Rajee,
Love your blog!! Love the interior design ideas...and especially loved the post on the Sarhanpur carvings. Glad to know that its available in Bandra....Will have to check it out next time I am there....I am also a sucker for Indian craftsmanship, whether it is in Textiles, carvings or other decorative arts. And love the juxtaposition of the contemporary with the old. I will be sure to keep checking back. Thank you.
Hi Creative Coquette,
Am I glad you dropped by ... guess we share a common passion for frames ... :)
Hi Harini,
I would love to hear from you everytime you dropped by ... so glad you enjoy my posts.Yes, I do try to keep an updated look with what we know as our older styles. I do enjoy myself discovering the amazing design concepts indigenous to India.THanks for taking the time to leave me your comments ... :)
I loved this post! What amazing craftsmanship!! It is a dream of mine to travel through India and discover treasures just like these!
Thank you for the inspiration. I am now becoming a follower and can see that I will visit here often.
xCharlotta
That was a good post. Its difficult to pick one, but especially, the wooden chair was awesome. The beautiful intrinsic designs, detailed work certainly reminded me of mogul architecture.
Iam huge enthusiast about these kinda designs.
Oh my! It would be best if I NEVER visit, I know my wallet could not recover because I fear I would buy EVERYTHING. Especially with all the clever ways you posted about using them. I DIE for the headboards.
Hi Charlotta,
Lovely to have you around ... hope your India trip materialises soon ... if I being an Indian walk around like a zombie with all that I discover ... you have a bonanza waiting for you ... :)
Hi Fana,
Me too ... mixing simple pieces with intricate ones ... I love...love... love ... :) Lovely to hear from you ... :)
Hi Leigha,
In that case I would be the worst buddy to take along ... ;)Oh! that one ... wow that headboard in person was an absolute jaw dropper ... eye popper ... now yo u know why I am one of those with Zero savings ... :)Lovely to have you drop by ... :)
Very good post.. super helpful..please let us know the nearby landmark location / address of these shop in Bandra
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