A few more textiles

From Khishna's Antique Gallery, Jaisalmer. 

details of old applique pieces

detail - rumal 

Emboidered yolk - Afghan dress

detail of pocket - mirror work

and beading

A rather fine shelving unit 

The Golden City

First view of the Fort at Jaisalmer, rising majestically from the desert.

Made from sandstone, the buildings inside are intricately carved.

Old havelis, former palaces now guesthouses or shops for tourists.

Bedazzling patchwork and embroidery at top end prices, and

low end quality.  As ever the cows and groups of tourists.

The town as seen from the fort, with the desert in

the background.   We were here around ten years

ago and it really hasn't changed that much.  No

high rise buildings on the outskirts like Jodphur.

Our rooms on the north end of the fort wall.

The bathroom to the left, the middle is a little

balcony seat with a very long drop.  Not for

those with vertigo, and the other little window

is the bedroom.   Simla Haveli, full of nooks

and crannies, lots of stairs too high for my

legs!  Good exercise though.   Bucket and jug

to replace the single drip shower and cold

water.  Bathing the Indian way and it is good!

over the garden wall

typical window

Quilts, embroidery, scarves etc. etc.  Always

pestered to come and look for fear of breaking

hearts.  Oh, they do have a good line of patter.

Musicians fading in the sun

Very early in the morning at the foot of

the fort. Waiting for the car to start our next 

adventure.  No one about except a few cows 

looking for breakfast.   This little calf all on

it's own looking for it's mother.  A bit of a 'ahh' 

moment, enjoying being petted by Keith.

Silkscreen printing - with pictures!

Problems with Blogger on the move often meant

no pictures or too many.  So here is the process

of silk screen printing from white cloth to the

finished product

Stacks of screens, with permanently printed patterns

The print table - yes, it was dark with

visible fumes.  No health and safety here.

Printed cloth

At the end of the line

washed cloth ready for drying

Drying on frames, around 10ft tall with

racks to accommodate the print run

All dried and ironed ready for dispatch

Piles of small silk screens for use in 

packaging - bearing the manufactures

details and others with clients address.

After a little research, it appears that silk

screen printing is over taking the traditional

block printing.  It is easier, quicker and

pays well.  Consequently small block

printing units are closing down.

The silk screen process churns out metres

of cloth in minutes.  Unfortunately many

chemicals are involved.  Combined with the

concentration of printing activities this has

triggered a high level of pollution.

  

I think, however, there are still small

communities who carry on making the 

traditional prints.  It is a far more labour 

intensive operation.  Maybe this takes

place in villages on the outskirts of 

the town.  Their textiles, in rich blues,

reds and yellows, are still much in 

demand apparently, though probably

produced to order.  I shall have to

continue my search next visit.

I'm cold!

We arrived back in the UK last night.  Brrrrr.  It's 

cold here! I am way behind with my postings of our 

journey, totally out of contact with the world, which 
was great!   The weather in Rajasthan was perfect; 
not too hot during the day, and the evenings were 
cool enough for a good nights sleep, although the
locals, towards the end of our trip, were wearing
thick jumpers and jackets.  They couldn't 
understandthat we didn't find it cold.

To Patricia and Deanna who commented on my
last post.  The textiles were photographed in 
Jaisalmer. The salesman was very excited when 
he knew I appreciated the pieces laid out 
before me.   How wonderful they were, but he 
was asking high tourist prices.   I almost bought 
one quilt, just because.   On reflection, a couple
 of days later, and on close inspection of the 
workmanship, I haggled the price down by a half 
but that was still way too much.  I declined the offer
 and he went into a major sulk.  However, we did 

spend a very pleasant morning at Krishna's.

A fabulous collection of antique textiles.  Keith 
did a photo shoot for the owner. When I get

the CD I will post pictures of fabulous pieces,
some over 150 years old.  

After visiting Jodphur, trying to find block printing
in Baltora, four days in Jaisalmer, Samshu
pronounced he had a special programme for us.

A road less travelled, to say the least. Eventually 
we ended up back in Udaipur.  Ahhh, a shower with 
hot water, and wifi too.

So, having unpacked, caught up with happenings

around here, I think I am for my bed.  It's around

2.30 am Indian time.   I shall keep myself warm

by posting pictures of our journey over the next

few days.  I might even catch up with some

stitching.  Would you believe I took the beginnings

of a Journal Quilt with me?  Never a stitch sewn.

Don't even mention Christmas.  This morning I had

an appointment with the hairdresser.  Hair cut much

needed, and in a fit of needing colour in this frosty

landscape, my hair is now orange!  The usual
question - are you ready for Christmas?  No!
Keith has suggested perhaps I should buy a hat.  
Why?!!!!  I rather suspect it is not for keeping
my head warm!

Temple flags.  I want them in my garden!

Textiles

wooden printing blocks

Back to civilisation

For the past ten days or so we have travelled to Jaisalmer,

east to Khichan to see the Siberian cranes in their 1000s.

Down to Pali, across to the middle of nowhere, etc. etc.

Now back in Udaipur, and in contact with the world.  

More of our journey later, in the meantime, a little bit

of desert outside Jaisalmer.

There were lots of these

A camel at rest, Sam Dunes.

Saddle and trappings in the foreground.

Along the way we happened upon a

wedding - no photos please. However,

this little groups were happy to have

their photo taken.

Meanwhile this young man needed his

picture taken too.  For some reason he

is carrying a pan of red hot charcoal.

Decided that rather than have him

leaning over the car boot and  petrol tank, 

far better to remove him to a safe distance!

A chatri in the middle of the lake.

I do have a picture of huge catfish

rising to take bread, but it is not a

pretty sight.

So, now it is dark,the temple bells are

ringing - time to change for dinner on

the roof.  I am wearing a vest against 

the chill.   Caught up with the news

that the UK and Europe are freezing.

We return home on Monday - think I

will wish I am still in Indian.

More tomorrow.

balotra

Oh, I am having fun with my pictures!   Here's one of a lorry load of fabric.