I visit my workshop in rural India as often as I can, usually 3 or 4 times a year and every time I go there, I can’t resist taking photos. Everything seems to bright and colourful. It’s nearly always sunny and sometimes it’s super hot and humid.
I love to visit the street fabric market in Chennai. And since I’m my own boss, if I see something I like, I can negotiate and buy it instantly. I don’t have to go back to the office to have a design meeting to decide if it’s something we want or not. The fabrics available change daily, so it’s important to be able to make a quick decision.
This stall holder had loads of lovely ikat fabric and I chose these 3 cottons in green, black and red to make into my handbag organisers.
After work, I love visiting textile and handicraft shop Kalpa Druma, where I usually end up buying several new pieces to bring home.
I have to resist buying too many saris! This one, another cotton ikat weave was beautiful and so nicely displayed. I don’t expect it was there for long.
Back at the workshop, this is the view (after the floods last November) from the main entrance. The ‘pond’ you see there is actually a terraced area of the garden that flooded but the reflection of the golden temple made it look so pretty, I just had to take a photo. Thank goodness the workshop was safe from the floods as it’s raised slightly above the garden and ground level.
Some temples are super ornate and very colourful like this one in Pondicherry. And taking inspiration from this, I’ve decided I want that shade of blue (sort of cornflower blue) for a bag in my collection next year.
Looking for transport? This neat taxi rank of Tuk Tuks are waiting for you in Pondicherry.
In Chennai the traffic is a bit more hairy. You’re supposed to drive on the left but hey, if there’s a space, we’ll take it! I took a little video of part of my drive to visit our city office last November. It was following the floods and finally the streets very drying out and everyone and his wife were back out, trying to get somewhere as quickly as possible. See if you can recognise the music that was on the radio at the time 🙂
I didn’t recognise the music. I have a soft spot for the music from Bombay Wedding, though. 🙂
Never been to Chennai but the ikat fabrics and the whole scene is enticing.
Haha, it’s ‘Down Under’ from Men At Work (1981). Ooops, showing my age now 🙂
Nah…I love Men At Work!
I think it is awesome that you get personally involved with your workshop in India. That is a tremendous commitment, and it shows in your access to creative inspiration.
Thanks for your comments, Paul. I would only ever work with people I know personally. It’s important to build up a good relationship with them. The ladies (and men) at my workshop are great and doing fabulous work. I’d love to go there more often!
I love this post. I especially enjoyed the photos you shared of this very colorful city. The traffic…well, that is scary. There are no lines, no signals, no crosswalks, no signs…it looks like whoever is the most aggressive and assertive wins! LOL
The traffic… Well, I first travelled to India in 1996 (I think) and I was surprised by the driving and apparent ‘free for all’ on the roads but now I’m totally used to it. I just took a quick video because I realise that it is very quirky!