lavanyaArtsMain

Lavanya Arts

Enter ... and be Enchanted!

As the handicrafts arts centre of the Temple Of Fine Arts, Lavanya is perhaps one of the rare and selective repositories of Indian art outside the sub continent. With artefacts representing the varied spectrum of India - from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and Bhuj to Bishnupur - Lavanya is indeed a veritable treasure trove for the serious connoisseur.

From Kalamkari paintings to Kanchipuram weaves, from terracotta figurines to Tanjore art - the collection is as endless as it is evocative of the many colors and moods of plural India. But there is more to Lavanya than just rich variety - there is expertise behind the counter. Expertise that allows one to make informed choices. That explains the story behind the stroke, the cause for the color, the myth behind the motif.

The artefacts at Lavanya are thus not merely decorative. Each forms a link in the chain of time, each a meditation on the mystery behind the creative act, on beauty that springs from perfection.

'Musician with Cymbals',
Bronze


Fabric & Clothings - so exquisite indeed were the gossamer handspuns of Indian weavers that the colonials put an end to this trade by chopping off the thumb and forefingers of master craftsmen, at Muslin production centres in Bengal. That paved the way for a flood of textile imports from the Lancashire mills. Yet the legendary skills and dexterity of Indian weavers live on… History \| A Primer \| Silks \| Kanchipuram Weaves \| Benares Brocades \| Cottons \| Khadi \| Muslin \| Calico \| Tie & Dye \| Patolas \| Bandhej \| Ikat \| Embroidery \| Chikan \| Applique \| Phulkari \| Sheeshedar \| Printing \| Batik \| Dyes \| CostumesForWomen \| CostumesForMen \| Dhurries \| Wall Hangings\|
Metals & Craft - metallurgy in ancient India was remarkably advanced and in great demand abroad. The fabled sword of Damascus was indeed made of speciality steels from India, that supposedly could slice a scarf thrown into the air! Iron pillars still standing from the times of Emperor Asoka, defy rust despite their age. Metal compounds found application…		'Mythical Annapakshi' Brass	History \| Bronze \| Brass \| Wrought Iron \| Copper \| White Metal \| Minakari \| Dokra \| Filigri \| Bidri \|
Wood Cuts & Carvings - perhaps one of the first of art forms to develop along with rock paintings, its sophistication into three dimensional projections depicting life, drama and nature was widely used as a decorative medium adorning temples and palaces. These have since become objects d' art that instantly add class to staid living rooms…			Sandlewood \| Rosewood \| Walnut \| Screens \| Panels \| Inlays \| Camel Bone
Terracotta, Ceramics & Pottery - jugs, vases and miscellaneous utilitarian containers were probably the early applications for which clay was put to use. Decorating these must have followed as a natural extension, and as refinements in techniques evolved, a prized art form defined many cultures. Possession of Chinese Ming was regarded as status symbol in seventeenth century Europe. India too has its share of creations…		Figurines \| Bangles \| Vases \| Lamp Bases \| Coffee Cup sets \| Portraits \| Blue pottery	'Waterpot' Terracotta
Jewellery - adornment of the human form is instinctive of the human psyche. The appreciation of beauty springs from a primeval urge towards perfection, and therefore all cultures through the ages have indulged in fashioning and enhancing the art of appeal and allure. Lavanya can show you many ways…		Beads \| Gems \| Necklaces \| Chokers \| Earings \| Rings \| Amulets
'Jewelled Elephant' Soapstone	Ethnic Furniture - there are times when one yearns for an age gone by, romanticised for the simplicity and innocence by which life was lead, one that was free of the stresses and militant demands of the inexhorably unforgiving mechanised world of today. This harking back, this longing is magically fulfilled by the touch of hand crafted furniture, from the dusty villages of… Patara \| Shekawati \| Sankheda \| Antique Remasters \| Seaters
	Stone Carvings - much of the history of India has been captured in stone. It developed into an industry that serviced exclusive clients … the kings for their palaces and fortresses, and the priestly class for temples to serve society. It is perhaps the temples more than any other, that lead the shilpas or stone masons to hone their talents into an intricately decorative tradition, fashioning pillars and walls, and embellishing upon them figurines with tales of the constant battle of good and evil… Granite \| Soapstone \| Sandstone \| Marble
Paintings - each nation has its distinctive formats and styles. Indian traditional paintings in particular are noteworthy for a total disregard of geometric proportions when detailing anatomical forms, given instead to the myriad epressive moods of the colorful puranic ensemble. The scenes invariably convey events from myths and legends of society, its virtues and values, and is ever mindful of unanswered mysteries of existence…		Patachitra \| Kalamkari \| Pichvais \| Phad \| Mithila \| Tanjore art \| Lithographic Prints \| Modern Masters	'Maiden', Miniature
And More - looking for more? There are the recycled paper products, gift labels, decorated beswax candles, masks, toys, incense and the list goes on…		Recycled Paper \| Gift stickers \| Decorated candles \| Papier Mache \| Mobiles \| Toys
The Centres - get to know our retail centres, our modest manufacturing base that is an employment hub for destitute womenfolk, and how you may procure artefacts displayed from within these pages…		Locations \| The Emblem \| Shivanjali Creations \| Enquiries