India Textile Tour Day 2

The textile museum was part of the Craft Museum of India. Lots and lots of textiles, including extremely fine Kashmir shawls with weaving so tiny you could hardly make it out, as well as applique and kanta cloth. Problem with both presentation and lighting. There were no labels, so you weren't too sure what you were looking at, other than having a general idea, but, worse than that, the lighting, what there was of it, stunk. That said, it was interesting looking at all the different types of textiles made in India.

We had a very nice lunch at the cafe associate with the museum, the Cafe Lota. It served a “pan Indian” menu and seemed very popular with the locals. I had a lovely kachcha aam prawns curry.

Waiting to cross the road, the cars don't stop

After crossing the road (an adventure in itself) we went to the Dilli Haat, which is mainly a handcraft market. Spent an hour and half there. Since it was Jammu/Kashmir month, we saw a lot of pashima shawls and scarves.

Dinner was at the hotel where we're staying, the Metropolitan. Again, way too much to eat, mostly tandoori style...wonderful kulfi for dessert.

Pulkari, raw silk totally covering foundation fabric

Applique, tree of life

Appetizer, including fried spinach leaves, yum.

Flame of the Forest

Up early tomorrow for a train ride to Agra.

Indian traffic at its finest

Reverse applique from Bengal