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A temple of crafts
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Looking for a piece of handicraft from a remote village in Bastar? Just walk into Gudi
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PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.
TRIBUTE Ekbal Ahamed: "India has an amazing number of artisans dealing with a myriad genres any country would be proud to have"
The Heritage Hut Gudi on K.R. Road was conceptualised as a "temple of Indian handicraft" by a science graduate who is now a well-known theatre director and artist. Ask Ekbal Ahamed about his interest in arts and pat comes the reply: "Love for rural aesthetics and ethnic living styles."
What pushed him into bringing in an assortment of art pieces under one roof? "India has an amazing number of artisans dealing with a myriad genres any country would be proud to have. But somehow they are pushed to the background. It is in this wider perspective that I set out on my mission of collecting craft items from villages. I'm greatly moved by their unswerving passion, despite all the hardship, says Ekbal.
Even if you are unfamiliar with south Bangalore and are driving on K.R. Road, you cannot miss Gudi with its deep red walls with rangoli art. "Leave your chappals outside," reminds Ekbal, as one notices a banyan tree art sitting pretty on the wall outside. He remarks: "Don't we require a banyan tree for the abode of folk art?"
At the entrance door are also black metal wall pieces of the Sun god, two mammoth wooden pillars and sandstone figurines from Orissa.
As you walk in, what you see is a veritable museum. Jack, teak and rose wood pillars with creepers carved on them carry a refined ethnic splendour. Leather puppets that were discarded in villages have been picked up by Ekbal, treated and redone.
Orissa's patachitra framed in wood has Dashavatara in hairline precision. Handmade paper and vegetable dyes come alive in a selection of Bihar's Madhubani paintings chosen by Ekbal during his artistic sojourns. With talegari or palm leaf etching with needle carving or the Madhubani greeting cards, the hall is a riot of colour.
Several wood pillars have descending shelves that hold dressing items and wall hangings on them. The group of wooden mushrooms entices you to take a closer look, even as Ekbal brings an array of ceramic wall hangings. "The mushrooms and the ceramics are from a village in Kerala by artist and interior designer Jinan who runs a self-help group that has school dropouts," says Ekbal.
At Gudi you also find the completely rustic world of Bastar adivasis, captured in brass and black metal from Madhya Pradesh. Bamboo flutes with knife line drawing, figurines of adivasis in smoked brass, floral door handles, jewel boxes, human masks... it's a mind-blowing range. The outstanding piece is, however, that of the Bastar couple, in black metal of thin gauge, four feet high with headgear and animals.
The women's wear section houses Hubli and Dharwad saris, Rajasthani and Gujarati ghagra cholis, terracotta and ceramic ornaments and camel bone neckpieces, tribal and folk jewellery, apart from oxidised jewellery and seashell chains. The Kalamkari of Andhra, batik, Rajasthani embroidery and block prints on kora in the men's section... you virtually find every Indian art here. Don't miss out on Ekbal's sensitive pieces of art, displayed at vantage points.
Call Gudi on 94480-94494.
RANJANI GOVIND
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