KANAKAVALLI JOURNAL

The Black of the Matter

On my side of the Vindhyas, the colour black isn’t exactly auspicious. Yet, it occupies pride of place on certain very important occasions in the life of a woman. The Seemantham ceremony, for insta...

Of warp, weft and coming together

In the context of classical dance, Bharatanatyam to be specific, a korvai is basically a dance sequence comprising two components. Korvais also find a place in the world of music, especially instru...

Checks & Stripes in the world of Kanjivarams

Within the very classic and classy world of the Kanjivaram, there exist two very interesting interpretations — the checks (Kattam, in Tamil) and the stripes (Vari, in Tamil). And even though we rec...

Setting: What you wear, is who you are!

They say, you are, in a sense, the company you keep. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of a setting, an environment, an atmosphere that is befitting a creation in a way that it enhances the...

Of flowers and forgotten practices : Thank God, we're nearing Friday!

Two Fridays ago, I decided to create for myself – within my own structured wardrobe scheme – a concept called Friday Dressing! In the context of Hindu mythology, Friday is considered auspicious; a ...

Stunning Pattu Pavadais and the age of innocence

This month, when women and men the world over celebrate International Women’s Day and attempt to recognise the role and value of a woman in our world, I remember the birth of my daughter. Sixteen y...

Wearing culture: celebrating the Queen of Silks

I’ve probably said this before, and if you know me or have seen me in the last 12 years, you know that I wear only one kind of outfit, day in, and day out. Yes, the sari and almost always, the Kanj...

Nose for detail

That I’m fascinated with jewellery – its making and its wearing – is an old story; but you must know that I’m equally excited by the many hidden stories, the subtle and often complex layers that cl...

Experimenting within frameworks: a home away from home

A year ago, in my pursuit to find for the Kanjivaram newer meanings, expressions and experiences, I created for myself a muddy brown Kanjivaram sari. With near-negligible gold zari on it, this sari...

The power of a classic, and its ability to remain relevant

What exactly is that memory of a classic that is specific to our context and that we are instantly drawn towards? One doesn’t know. But I do know that it is a thing of the subconscious, a natural, ...

Threads of Life - In conversation with Alarmel Valli

Earlier this year, in September, Akhila Krishnamurthy, editor of the Kanakavalli Journal spoke with artiste par excellence, Padmabhushan Smt Alarmel Valli, a few days before her 60th birthday, for ...

Set In Stone - The Temples of Kanchipuram : Vaikuntha Perumal

The Vaikuntha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram was constructed during the Pallava era, and is known for its historical sculptures that have inscriptions of significant events from the era. Dr Chithra ...