Tag Archives: India

a mud wall and coloured bottles

navadarshanam2 betterinteriors 

Can you guess that it is innovative use of empty glass bottles!

navadarshanam1courtesy betterinteriors.in

This pictures are from eco-township Navadarshanam situated along the border of Thally reserve forest at Tamilnadu and Karnataka borders. Here an alternate way of life and working is translated in ecological living. The homes are built with Sun baked mud blocks for walls, terracotta tiles, red oxide and cement for flooring.
Terracotta and cement jaalis (lattice), recycled wood and bottles are used as design accents.

See more photos of this eco-community here and here.

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Coaster

Indian furniture and decor market is at the moment filled with imported(foreign) goods or Chinese stuff. To find a true Indian designer who has merged tradition and need to modern day design is a very difficult task.

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So when I found designer Krishnakumar’s site I was excited. Why? You can see for yourself.

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He describes his products as:
combination of warm and cold material which is very characteristic of Indian craft products.

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Coaster

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Penhoder

Not only he has designed these warm wood winners he has also experimented with palm leaves. Using natural dyes he has got these amazing effects.

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Photoframe

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Jewelery box

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Tray

Krishnakumar’s wearables are also techno delights.

(27/05/09 -Edit: I have lost designer Krishnakumar’s links. It seems he has moved away. I haven’t found his new site so far. If you know or come accross his new site, please let me know. Thanks!)

India rediscovering her grass of origin

 photo courtesy www.samhollenshead.com

Konkan railway has started to plant vetiver grass along its laterite slope to stop landsliding. Roots of vetiver grass grow at least 3 metres inside the soil and its fibrous nature bind and hold soil tightly. The roots have strength of 1/6 of mild steel (eco steel!).

 courtesy samhollenshead.comcourtesy samhollenshead.com

courtesy P Haridas(indiatogether.com)courtesy Bharathiar University, Coimbatore,India

The konkan railway region is one of the most scenically green belt in India. Konkan railway has been called a tech marvel for its difficult terrain, tunnels and sky bus project. It has added one more green feather to its cap. Vetiver grass is not only a green solution but it’s primary centre of origin is India.

It was long long ago when I was in school, I had seen ‘ khus ki tatti’ (vetiver roots screen) at my maternal uncle’s place. The screen was used for cooling (eco-manufacturers listening?) and it gave mild earthy aroma. I do not see vetiver roots screen anywhere now.

Among many uses vetiver grass is used for soil and water conservation. Vetiver grass is called ‘khas’ in Hindi and is used  now mainly by itra (scent) manufacturers.

courtesybangalore-city.blogspot.com

I have also rediscovered this-people’s-grass. Beautiful handicraft’s were used to be made from vetiver. These days I see cane and coir handicrafts  but unfortunately not a vetiver grass handicraft.

courtesy chaipat.or.thphoto courtesy www.chaipat.or.thcourtesy chaipat.or.th

I wish to revive vetiver grass craftmanship. Any artisan listening?