Liven up your home

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM The stress is on traditional Rajasthani craft

The décor of your house is an extension of your personality. Those who are smitten by the traditional heritage of our country can explore Avighna collections. Indira Sankhala has turned her house into a shop of artefacts, marble figurines, chandeliers, furniture and even jewellery. In Bangalore, a unique and an eclectic range of Rajasthani handicrafts is not easy to come by. Avighna offers an array of ethnic items from Rajasthan. The first thing that catches the eye is wooden embossed paintings in rectangular, square shapes. Priced at Rs. 600, the paintings depict the rustic life of Rajasthan. Take your pick and then Indira will get it framed for you. Lal Singh Bhati’s works starts from Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 11,000. There are lovely wooden spice boxes (Rs. 300 to Rs. 5,000) in different sizes.

If you have an open-kitchen, it can work as both show piece and as a typical spice box. Though it can be used as a jewellery box, I suggest you don’t hide it in your bedroom, but flaunt it. Carved wooden jharokhas starting from Rs. 350 is also an interesting buy. Something unusual is the Rajasthani gold-leaf paintings with semi-precious stones in marble, depicting a whole range of classical music instruments. They are priced between Rs. 1,100 and Rs. 3,000. You just can’t miss the wrought-iron artefacts of bicycles and carts. This unique item is an ideal gift and very reasonably priced between Rs. 800 and Rs. 1,200.

The dominance of Rajasthani art is understandable considering the fact that the owner Indira’s roots go back to this colourful place. “When I was moving into my new house, I was looking around for such things and couldn’t find many. And that’s how the shop came about in September last year. I have had exhibitions here with small stalls displaying saris, fabrics and lot of other products,” says Indira.

Other States have a presence too. Ganesha idols in serpentine stone is available in grey, red, green are available between Rs. 500 to Rs. 30,000. A set of six brass dancing dolls from Moradabad costs Rs. 2,000. There are perfumed candles, herbal soaps, incense sticks from Pondicherry. Mysore’s exquisite wood inlay work paintings, wooden newspaper stands, mirrors, wooden key holders, candle stands, terracotta items, brass wind chimes, idols of gods and goddesses in semi-precious stones, planters in wood and ceramics, art traditions of various states and outside meet here. Small-sized reproductions of Raja Ravi Varma’s works in a set of four square-shaped paintings is a steal at Rs. 200 each.

If you are looking for some real high-end masterpieces then statues in pure Italian marble at Rs. 46,000, exquisite show-pieces in porcelain at Rs. 60,000, fire place at Rs. 85,000 might catch your fancy. Delicate-looking chandeliers in thin metal sheet from Italy (Rs. 1000 to Rs. 60,000) are a delight. Thailand pottery with ceramic finish is priced between Rs. 350 and Rs. 3,000.

Antique models of phones and nautical instruments, Victorian clocks are also a part of the collection. There are few select pieces of chest boxes, side and corner tables, dining table, CD racks, plasma TV cabinets and drawers available too. The jewellery in silver and semi-precious stones is limited but Indira plans to increase it.

The waist-band in semi-precious stones will look chic with a jeans and kurti and it will also work as neck piece. The exclusivity of the collection gives Avighna an edge. Avighna Collections is at Sankhla House, 88, III Main, Vyalikaval. Call 6570035

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