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Blowin' in the wind
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Wind chimes get a remixed sound at Teak Heirlooms
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Photo: Mohd Yousuf
TRACING THE history of wind chimes necessitates a time travel of more than 3000 years to China. The highly skilled metal workers created the forefather of the wind chime, a clapper less bell called yongzhong, which was used as an accompaniment for religious ceremonies. The chime was adopted by the Japanese and then later on (18th century) by the Europeans. Now with Feng Shui being so happening, it is difficult to conceive of a home without the gentle tinkle of these chimes.
If you like to collect wind chimes, (like Bipasha Basu's character in Jism) want to start a collection or would like to gift one, the place to visit is Teak Heirloom Gallery at the Jubilee Hills International Centre (Road 14, Jubilee Hills, ph: 9849747717). As you enter the room, ripples of sound immediately transport you to a rain forest.
Scene-stealers
Made out of bamboo, the chimes are absolute dolls. Crowned with different animals and birds, they radiate the positive karma of beauty. Starting from tiny zodiac chimes for Rs 75 to the gigantic Rs 1,500 worth chimes that sound like drums, they are for the collector and new convert.
The idea for Teak Heirlooms came to Priya Lewis during her many trips to Indonesia. The rich cultural legacy of the archipelago with its diverse arts and crafts gave birth to Teak Heirlooms. From its inception in 2001, there has been no looking back.
This time around while there are the handsome pieces of furniture, the curios are absolute scene-stealers. From incredibly vivid wooden masks with batik paint starting at Rs 250 to darling wooden animals and birds starting at Rs 600, they are just what the doctor ordered to brighten up your room. The dramatic Batik designs are intrinsic to Indonesia and here are put to innovative use on wooden toys - the wooden rooster with batik paint is something else - and fans. A vibrant batik painted fan, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata is a slice of art history revealing as it does Indonesia roots to Hinduism.
The rainmaker with Aboriginal painting takes you to time when life was simple and more confused as do the Aboriginal candle stands, sturdy wicker picnic baskets with a separate section to hold the wine bottles - pass me the Beaujolais please - and the bamboo xylophone. The cane and bead trinket boxes, the intricately carved mahogany jars, the smart cane and bamboo utility rack are all paeans to beautiful living.
Have a seat
And if you are in the mood to indulge in some real cool furniture you could check out the to-die-for compact dining table in teak and the super gracious drape bed - there is really a drape carved over the bedstead.
The Chippendale writing table with its many secret compartments, the rosewood dowry chest with vegetable dye, the European tilting table and the Batavia, a typical Dutch (the Dutch took control of Indonesia in the early 19th century) design would elevate your living room to a thing of beauty and would surely be a joy forever. And to relax you have a whole series of garden furniture including the foldable variety where a 6-seater can be stretched out to become an 8-seater and a spanking smart table with an umbrella that would be the perfect accessory for your diamond encrusted Christian Dior sunglasses!
The easy chairs ranging from the traditional planter's chair to a new age bamboo one come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
There is stuff at Teak Heirlooms to suit every inclination and every pocket - from the mundane to the exotic and the functional to the bizarre. The sale is on till August 8.
MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER
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