The story starts around 5-6 years back
when I first visited Europe, made local friends in Austria & Germany and
some friends from other parts of world who worked or studied there. And like me
as most of them are foodies, it was inevitable for me -hosting long lunches and
early evening dinners at our humble home back then in Austria. Europeans love
Indian Chicken Curry , the aroma and the spices. And soon for us it became the
tradition for us to gift Chicken Masala powders and recipes to our dear friends.
The ones who did not fall into the foodie category or couldn't take the heat of
Indian Curry, preferred the typical miniature of Taj Mahal as gift. Be it our
Diwali or Christmas celebrations in their land, these two items were in
demand.
However, I always
wondered if and how I can introduce other cultural facades of our India to
these friends. And this year, the splendid artifacts from Heart for
Art https://www.heartforartonline.com/ opened
doors of zillion gifting options for me :) Heart for Art works towards
bringing you products from the best artisans of India, who passionately create
them! The founders and now my friends, Padmaja and Sunil Jalihal help
craftsmen get back their pride and improve their living conditions through this
endeavour. They provide these products in the best traditions of artisanal
masterpieces, yet adapted to contemporary lifestyles and sensibilities. Heart
for Art promotes the traditional Arts & Crafts of India. The
products represent some of the best traditions of Kashmiri, Bidriware, Dhokra,
Kottan, Channapatna, Navalgund, Longpi, Jaipur and many other Indian arts and
crafts and Black Pottery of Manipur, Kottan Basketary, Southern Stone Scluptures, Bidriware, Chola Bronze Sculptures, Navalgund Jamkhanas.
This Christmas, houses of my friends in Germany will be adorned by dozens of such beautiful bells. They are handcrafted using
traditional lacware technique and are coloured with natural dyes. This is Channapatna
Woodcraft originated in Karnataka.
My friends in Corporate will be happy wearing artfully crafted cuff-links. Bidriware is a metal
handicraft that originated in Bidar area of Karnataka, in the 14th century
C.E., and it is manufactured from
an alloy of copper and zinc with fine wire of pure silver carefully hammered
into the grooves. Bidriware products were traditionally recognised as a symbol
of wealth and the craft is practiced in various parts of India to make a range
of artistic showpieces and ornaments.
All the Heart for Art gifts are accompanied with an information card with details about the art-craft form and the artisan's name who crafted it.
In the words of my friend Marcel, these gifts have changed India's Image in his mind. India has much more colours to offer beyond the Taj and Chicken Curry!!
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