Editor's Picks

Beauteous Woman Kept Waiting By Her Lover On A Full-Moon Night

A quiet night somewhere in the tropics. The moon in her full glamour has climbed to the zenith of the inky nightsky, her light paling in comparison to the glow of the woman's skin in the foreground. She is a tall one, formed in arguably the best proportions of her sex. She is dressed in delicate orange silks that serve to reveal rather than conceal her gorgeousness. However, the glow of her mukhmandal stems from not just her flawless skin but the rage she is seething with. As the evening wears on, she has only the peacock to keep her company (he looks up at her in anticipation of a burst of temper) - her lover has kept her waiting for a very long time, and she isn't the kind of woman who has to wait for what she desires.

Despite the anger her pretty little mouth is contorted in, an eerie calm lines her brow. The sombre Radha-Krishna couple in the background are figments of her imagination, as she tries to console herself with how the divine lover had made Radha wait endless hours for Him, only to finally come to Her and pacify Her. Radha has turned Her face away from Her Krishna, whilst He draws Her close and offers His explanations. It is His divine conduct that she expects out of her mortal lover, who would walk in through those dark red velvet curtains any moment now. She awaits him, having arranged a tray of wine and fruits within an arm's reach to serve to him, while she plays with a peacock feather to keep herself from losing her temper.

The Glowing Svaroopa Of The Fierce Ashtabhujadhari Kali

She is distinctive. She has no equal in either ferocity or beauty. She lusts after the blood of the adharmee, amongst whom She is notorious for Her mercilessness. Devi Kali is the very picture of the wrathful side of Hindu dharma, and the superfine bronze sculpture you see on this page does justice to Her form (in terms of both beauty and iconography). She is long and slender, Her high-energy poise contained perfectly by Her ashtabhujadhari roopa (eight-armed form). A myriad of weapons and ritual implements are in each of Her hands, which add to the power and vigour of Her persona. Her wrath equals Shivatandava itself, a phenomenon that has no match in all the cosmic realms put together.

This bronze rendition of Her has been handpicked from the studios of local artisans in Swamimalai, the home of contemporary bronze tradition. It was the rulers of the Chola dynasty who patronised bronze sculptors in their kingdom, resulting in a superlative reputation for the South to this day. This Ma Kali sculpture bears the hallmarks of a fine Southern bronze. A highly polished, supersmooth finish; an iconography replete with the the inverted-lotus pedestal; and a standard of aesthetics that most devotional art could merely aspire to. What adds greatly to the composition is the multi-tiered aureole set off by a ring of fire, which complements the flaming halo behind Her head.

Black Shawl from Kullu with Kinnauri Woven Triple Border and Zigzag Weave

In the mountain settlements of the subcontinent reside whole villages populated by weaver-families. From generations ago, they have been weaving pure homegrown wool into exquisite shawls that are now famous the world over. It is a fine example of this age-old workmanship that you see on this page, handpicked from the snowy recesses of Kullu. Moulted yak fleece that emerges from the thick, long-haired overcoat of the Indian yak are used to make these shawls that are unparalleled in terms of warmth and durability (think mountain winters and the harsh surroundings that are to be withstood).

Adding to its beauty is the gorgeous embroidery done in fiery pastels such as red, orange, and blue. The zigzag weave that you could zoom in on has a special name, kinnauri, that is endemic to Himachal Pradesh. There are three thick and spaced out panels of coloured weave from the border upwards, which dominate the field of the shawl. Its inky black base colour, interspersed with some inevitable bits of white observable upon zooming, serves to bring out the charm of the kinnauri. Team this with a statement evening saree at a gala in the height of the winters.

Mughal-Style Lacquered Cut-Glass Necklace With Drop Earrings

This necklace set is at once traditional and kitschy. It consists of a necklace of chunky cut-glass pieces strung together on a string and matching drop earrings. The cut-glass is lacquered a gorgeous, orange-y red superimposed with patterns in a thick, lustrous silver. This set bears all the beauty and regal appeal of the jewellery worn by Mughal queens, given the statement-making design and the finesse of the workmanship, The lacquer bit is what makes all the difference, making it an unusual one to add to your jewellery box.

It comes with an adjustable cord, so you could arrange it to spread comfortably around your shoulders or turn it into an ethnic choker. The central chunk of cut-glass chunk has been ground into a wider piece with its lower edge polished to imitate the silhouette of petals. Along the lower edge of the whole necklace is a multitude of pearly white and red drops of miniscule proportions. Similar ones are to be found along the lower edge of the earrings as well. Let this vivid-coloured set become your signature ethnic accessory by teaming it with your everyday Indian suits and sarees.

Bridal Disarray (Raja Ravi Verma Reproduction, Framed)

Full figures, flawless skin, and luscious hair, Raja Ravi Verma's women are strong and sensuous. This reproduction of a signature oil by the modern maestro is the unabashed, almost brazen, portrayal of a bride fresh from her bath. The same could be gleaned from her dense black locks sticking together because of the moisture and the fact that she is undressed. She had not even had the chance to put on her sindoor, when someone - probably her husband - had untimely walked in. Caught by surprise, she had scrambled for her saree laid out on the bed, but got her hands on his dhoti right next to it and drawn it over her torso to shield herself from his gaze.

It is a very delicate moment between husband and wife. She is clearly not succeeding in her pure, womanly endeavour given the translucence of the fabric. Her beauty, despite the nakedness, lies within the sacred precinct of her husband's singular presence, whose gaze she returns helplessly, almost pleadingly. Her skin is a roseate fair, the the dull gold of her ornaments almost blending in with her complexion. The soft, rounded features of her face make for a beauty that pleases as opposed to one that pleasures, that is inspiring and not intimidating. The dark green of the background brings out the subject, and the disarray she is in, with perfection.

The Ethereal Ardhanarishvara Floating Amidst Sunset Clouds

A sharp image of androgyny as expounded in the shastras, the Ardharishvara is an unmistakably Indian symbol. It is a half-Shiva and half-Parvati figure; a confluence of purush and prakriti, of tandava and lasya, of the masculine (energy) and the feminine (matter). The resulting image is one of great beauty and significance, as could be seen in this handpicked Kerala mural. The murals of Kerala are not as well-known as those of Rajasthan, but they are in a class all their own. Having originated as early as the eighth century, a profusion of these murals dated between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries are to be found in the annals of Kerala. The one you see on this page is a contemporary work of art done after traditional Kerala murals.

The Ardhanarishvara stands against a background of dense sunset-coloured clouds. A network of green vines and pink and white blooms frame the figure, like a natural aureole. The central figure is formed in the best proportions of both the male and the female forms, the distinction between the two given away by colour as well as silhouette. Decked up in streams of pearly white shringar, the silk clothing of the divine is held below the navel by a kirtimukha brooch and floats about the figure as if floating. The pale blue clouds at the feet of Devi Parvati and the blue jets of stream at Lord Shiva's complement the vibrant colour palette that dominates the composition. The soothing effect of these colours are matched the superb calm on the beauteous face of the divine.

Cascade Wristlet With Beaded Roze Quartzes, Aquamarines, And Lead Glass Crystals

It is very important for a woman to have that one signature accessory that she could team with almost all, if not literally all, of her wardrobe. This statement-making bracelet is just the thing. It has a sterling silver wristlet, from which emerges a cascade of semi-precious gemstones. Beaded in dangling strips are a plethora of rose quartz crystals, steel-coloured aquamarines, and gorgeous lead glass crystals. These handpicked gems would create a soft, dull sound as they gently touch each other on your motioning wrist. It goes without saying that an accessory like this would add a world of personality to whatever outfit you choose.

It is an unassuming colour palette - rose gold and moss green and steely silver, all of which are in seductive, translucent tints. This bracelet would go with a wide variety of outfits. Think everyday western-wear, contemporary suits and sarees, or Indo-western moods. It will not only up the glamour quotient of your presence, but also serve to make a statement grounded in ethnic fashion. Charming and quirky, it is a superbly youthful piece and one to turn heads and start conversations whenever you are wearing it.

Curry-Mustard Macaw Chudidar Crochet Kameez Suit with Patchwork

Nothing like chiffon to make an impression in. The go-to fabric for women who want to dress both traditional and seductive, its drape is inimitable. No matter whether it is fashioned into the oh-so-popular solid-coloured sarees or an ultra-feminine suit like the one you see on this page, chiffon empowers you to make a statement. This one boasts of a colour palette that conveys a great deal of charm and good cheer - earthy yellow, deep pink, and a Prussian blue. The kameez is densely crocheted, which is sure to make you stand out at daytime dos with a spin of the traditional.

The structure of the dress is such as to highlight the woman's form and whatever she has by way of tallness. The straight-fit kameez comes with a deep neckline, which is complemented by the superbly long sleeves and low hemline. Crocheting work in blue makes up the designed panel at the centre against the yellow, the hem defined by more crocheted panels in varying colours. The signature choodidar trousers complements the rest of the dress. The chiffon dupatta, as light and translucent and dominantly pink as it is, completes the glamour of this dress.

The Pristine Beauty Of Devi Durga

This superfine sculpture captures the image of Ma Durga with a great deal of perfection. The roopa-svaroopa of the most powerful of peaceful female deities has been expounded in the Mahalaya (in Sanskrit, 'maha' means 'great' and 'laya' means 'lyric'). Composed in Bengal, it describes Her flawless beauty and unmatched strength. She is poised in a perfect lalitasana atop Her trusty steed, the lion, who is a personification of Her own ferocity and strength. Having come from the unattainable reaches of the Kailasha Parvat, She resembles the pure glacial whiteness of Her home and exudes transcendental stability.

Marble is a difficult medium to work with. It takes years of learning and practice to perfect one's way around stone. The marble sculptures that you see in our collection, of which this is a fine example, have been handpicked with the greatest care. Note the sheer degree of skill that must have gone into this number - the Devi's and Her lion's minute proportions such as the digits and the expressive facial features, the stateliness of the lifelike posture, and detailing in the weapons. Hints of gold detailing in the adornments of the two as well as the weapons bring out the pristine colour of the high-quality marble. The composition has been placed on a relatively austere pedestal to highlight the aforementioned details.

Shiva-Parvati Pendant With Pristine Drops Neckpiece (South Indian Temple Jewellery)

While the idea of devotional jewellery is not limited to India, the beauty and depth of the tradition is to be found nowhere else. It is in South India that these elaborate pieces are made, known as 'temple jewellery' because they are meant to be worn by idols in the gorgeous temples of the South. This sterling silver neckpiece is fit to be worn by a larger-than-life Devi icon. The necklace is made up of identical studded peacock motifs strung together, while the pendant is engraved with seated Shiva-Parvati figurines complete with a temple flanked by Nandi and parrot detailing.

It is the superbly carved pendant that is the most statement-making aspect of this devotional neckpiece. Zooming in on the sacred figurines would enable you to appreciate the precision and skill that have gone into the work. The altar is replete with serrated pillars and an engraved roof rimmed with lotus petals, typical of South Indian temple architecture. The haloes of Shiva-Parvati are intact, and it is on Nandi Himself that they are seated. A jade-coloured gem sits on the roof of the temple, besides the dark red stones that punctuate the silver in the rest of the neckpiece. Note the pearly white drops beneath the pendant that add to its beauty.