Goodness of Nature

STYLE, ECOLOGICAL sensibility and sustainability as well undeniable designer chic go into the interesting range of hand crafted products showcased at `Naturally Auroville'. Crafted and designed at Auroville, Pondicherry, every product - from marbled paper lamps to beautiful hand-painted scarves and couture dresses, from dainty flower encrusted candle to granite sculptural pieces - exhibits a fresh creativity and design sense as well as quality control. And of course every handcrafted item is organic, non-chemical, and natural. All the textile items are vegetable dyed.

There are avante grade rolled-up perforated aluminum lamp shades with interesting tubular stands, granite sculptures and lamp stands, and some interesting ceramic sculpted pieces. There is a mirror dressed up with a wooden sculpted piece. Also unique are the newly introduced `Forest Pottery' pieces with mineral pigments and colouring derived from fruit. The ceramic items include a range of attractive tea sets, mostly in shades of soft blue, many pretty tea and coffee mugs and flower vases in lovely shapes. Glass fused with ceramics has been used for interesting artefacts, ashtrays, bowls, etc. Also on view are designer soft stone coasters and bowls.

Auromodi's offering of modish couture garments is a special attraction at this elegant shop. Silk, crepe and cotton tops in very contemporary `avataars', loveliest of rich katfans sporting hand-painted motifs in rich, soft colours, beautiful hand-painted scarves and dupattas and dresses grab attention with their designer chic. There are silk wall hangings too, hand-painted with Egyptain motifs, birds of paradise and even a Lord Krishna done in soft pastel shades.

Marbled paper lamp shades, pretty hand-made stationery, the prettiest of perfumed candles with dried flowers and silver and pearl jewellery are some of the many gift items one can pick up at `Naturally Auroville'. And for the furniture buff there are some special pieces. An antique Rajasthani chest of drawers, a Raj-colonial display stand, lovely reproduction colonial writing tables or a variety of teak wood tables to decorate the interior.

A stamp of individuality, a touch of contemporary European line and curve, subdued designer elegance combined with a feel of Indian textures, fabrics and forms make `Naturally Auroville' (Khader Nawaz Khan Road, off Nungambakkam High Road) a natural shopping destination for the discerning.

PUSHPA CHARI

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