Hand Crafted Wonders of Kutch

Kutch - the rustic wonder of India - is where we had been to, last December. We stayed in 'Gateway To Rann Resort', Dhordo Village - situated a few miles away from India-Pakistan border. White desert -the world's largest salt desert - exists besides this village which is a marshland during monsoon and a land of shining white sand during winters and summer. It is absolutely devoid of any vegetation throughout the year. To expect a luxurious, five-star hospitality from a resort that survives such extreme geographical conditions would have been irrational. Hence, we had decided to enjoy what the resort could best offer - a taste of the local lifestyle. And we were not at all disappointed.

Rooms in our resort were mud huts - locally known as 'bhunga'. Each finely constructed, circular shaped mud hut represented a hotel room. They were similar in appearance to the dwellings of locals and were equipped with basic amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for the guests. Though simple they held the capability of making one fall in love with them, thanks to the attractive paintings and mirror work that decorated the exterior as well as the interior of each 'bhunga'.

Handicraft seems to be a way of life here. I feel that it is a way of cheerfully surviving the hardships for the locals. The otherwise monotonous surroundings come to life when the local women decorate their homes with a technique known as 'lippan kam'. Delicately carved wooden furniture brings home elegance. Household stuff decorated with lacquer work brings charm to the routine. Jewellery, knives, nutcrackers etc made of silver become a sign of richness. Artisans turn pieces of metals into sources of melody. And how can one forget the fabric - embroidered or block printed, decorated with 'bandhani' or 'rogan art'; whichever maybe the art - adds exuberance to the lives of 'Kutchis'.

We happened to visit Kutch when Gujarat Tourism Department was celebrating 'Rann Utsav'. Hence, we were lucky to find all of the handicrafts at one stop. It was easier for us to pick and buy handicrafts that we felt will give our interiors that ethnic look we always wanted. We got a moon shaped wind chyme that now brings out melody every time we swing our swing to which it is tied neatly. We got a dress with mirror work for me - perfect as an occasional wear. We got a tiny piece of mirror work - the characteristic of Kutch - which goes well as a car hanging. We got block printed bedsheets and cushion covers for our 'deewan set'. And last but not the least - we experienced an artistic wonder i.e. 'rogan art'.

Cosmopolitans like us design and decorate our residences using all the modern techniques and materials. Yet, these wonderful traditional handicrafts fit so well in our homes. All one needs is an artistic outlook to respectfully place the works of tribal or rural artists in the modern set up.

The blend of contemporary materials and techniques with traditional and ethnic handicrafts does wonders to the home interiors.

- Kalindi Amol Joshi 

With

Amol Vishwas Joshi - Interior Designer, AAkruti Interiors

@ 9967534621

www.aakrutiinteriors.co.in 

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