Godharis of Maharashtra

My visit to the Prince of Wales museum was a great experience. I met the author of the book, Godharis of Maharashtra. I wish you could have seen those quilts in person. They are equally beautiful as the quilts of Gee's Bend. Every single one of them is made with materials on hands for everyday use.

and the materials range from thin cotton fabrics to nylon and polyester.

Some even have embroidered patches with metallic threads.

They display the colors of daily life in India..They are bold and vibrant but also earthy because they come from used saris and skirts, shirts. The stitching is done randomly.. Most of them are heavily quilted in straight lines, very similar to the quilts of Gee's Bend. Extreme stitching gives the thin, already used fabrics new life and durability it requires during it's heavy use.

My plans to visit Rajasthan had to be postponed but because of that, I was able to visit this exhibit that ran for only three days. Also, if it wasn't for that temporary disappointment, I would not have been able to meet so many artists in person at the Paramparik Karigar show. So again, I am thankful for life's opportunity and experiencing the a true meaning of the fact, 'When one door closes another one opens up'.

Meet the author, Geeta Khandelwal. She has also served on the committee for International Quilt Study for two years. It was my pleasure to see her at the exhibition.

Appliqued triangles/ log cabin.. Can you imagine doing this by hand and then hand stitching those millions of stitches?

After spending many hours at the exhibit, I went on to visit rest of the museum.

Met some local care-takers of the museum grounds and they were happy to let me take a picture.

The window with white frame was at the right of the entrance of the exhibit. Look closely, you will see few quilts hanging in the bright sunny window. Colorful quilts soaking in all that sun! Can you imagine putting your quilts in the sunlight?

Here is the picture of that frame from Inside.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this upon entering the hall but people in India are used to hanging their quilts on the fences, clothes line and cement walls to bleach and to air dry.

I loved the playfulness of this quilt.

If you haven't had chance to flip through the pages, I highly recommend that you do. Godharis of Maharashtra is published by Quiltmania.

Is this charming or what?

Oh what a happy day that was! My train ride was uneventful. I shared my book with a complete stranger. She was eager to know why I was taking so many pictures during the ride.

Here is a picture of the inside of a subway train. Depending on the time of travel and the train you are on, you may or may not get to seat. During the commute hours, these trains are pretty packed. The bars and handles are for support during the commute. I saw some school girls get on the train... It took me back some 35 years to my college years! Not sure if I would attempt to travel during commute hours any more.,

It is the best way to reach to the heart of city of Mumbai. I am sure I will be on the train again soon.

Hope you all enjoyed the show and tell of my day in the city.

Have a happy weekend!