Travel across 8 states without leaving Mumbai

A new store at Mahalaxmi stocks folk art from various Indian states, all crafted into home decor items

Au00a0new store at Mahalaxmi stocks folk art from various Indian states, all crafted into home decor items

Swap synthetic for traditional by picking up home and office decor knick knacks from Baaya Design, a new store launched by siblings Indranil Sengupta and Shibani Jain, that stocks Indian folk art. "Baaya refers to a weaver bird's nest in Hindi.

It's unique in design, and the term conveyed the USP of our store: quirky and eco-friendly," says Shibani. A former student of the Nationalu00a0 Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Shibani got together with Indranil after he quit his marketing job to start a store that sources folk and tribal art directly from 15 artisan families.
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"The emphasis is on functionality. We give traditional artworks a daily utility so that they are not relegated to the cupboard," says Indranil. The products are sourced from Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Chattisgarh, rural Maharashtra, Assam and Rajasthan. The products are priced between Rs 80 to Rs 15,000.

At: Baaya Design, Store 24, Laxmi Woolen Mills Compound, Shakti Mills Lane, near Famous Studio, Mahalaxmi. Call: 9930843216. Log on to:u00a0www.baayadesign.com

Our Top 4 picks Kalighat paintings from bengal
Also called Kalighat pata, this style originated in 19th century Bengal and was done by artists living near Kalighat temple in Kolkata. From producing souvenirs for visitors, these artists created a distinct school of Indian painting. The art works depict Durga, Kali and mythological incidents like the meeting between Kunti and her son Karna. Characterised by satire, they have shaded contours, with a focus on gestures.
Cost: Rs 5,000 onwards

Phad scrolls from Rajasthan
The cloth or phad scroll paintings in vegetable dyes come from Rajasthan and venerate the deeds of legendary Rajput warriors. In villages of Rajasthan, the Bhopas or priest singers, unfurl the scrolls sequence-wise to a narration set to music.
Cost: Rs 5,000 onwards

Dokra door handles from Orissa
If you are looking for antique door knobs, those in Dokra are worth checking out. Painstakingly crafted using the lost wax process (clay moulds are made for the metal and then covered with wax threads. The threads melt away leaving the intricate thread-like metal forms), these come from West Bengal and Orissa. Also look out for wall frames that depict the tribals gathering firewood, hand-painted wrought iron candle stands and mirrors.
Cost: Rs 590 onwards for door knobs, Rs 850 onwards for candle stands, Rs 1,450 for mirror

Bidri coasters from Karnataka
The art of metal handicrafts is called Bidriware. Originating in Bidar, Karnataka in the 14th century, this art was patronised by the Bahamani Sultans. The coasters are made from a blackened alloy of zinc and copper. Designs are chiselled over it and fine silver wire is then hammered into grooves. The coasters are then smoothened and blackened with river clay.
Cost: Four coasters for Rs 2,200

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