India Sketch Journal 2013 Aug 6 by Meera Rao
During my childhood I used to love to weave the palm fronds into little snakes, bracelets, finger rings, boxes etc.. Growing up in coastal Karnataka, it was normal to see screens and mats made with the palm fronds used on buildings for temporary shade or protection from elements. Tents made with these mats are common when there is a celebration or gathering happening. I saw this fellow weaving a number of these on a side street a few days before the Goddess Chamundi festival. Below is a photograph I clicked of the screen in use -- normally even the roof is made with these screens even though here a tin sheet is being used. I sketched an ornate tent 'Mantapa' last year - check it out here. I also found a flicker group that has a collection of photographs of objects made from weaving the palm fronds the world over! - much more sophisticated than my humble efforts as a kid!
Woven Palm Frond Mats Photograph By Meera Rao
Below is the sketch of an ornate door frame of an old building in a narrow street in Mysore city center with a 'wicket' door within it. The open small door gave me a glimpse of a couple sitting in a small shaft of sunlight and chatting. The teal blue paint against the massive carved wooden door made quite an impression. I wondered about the secrets and stories this ancient structure was hiding!
India Sketch Journal 2013 Aug 7 by Meera Rao
I, of course have to include the shot of the page from my sketch book with both these sketches :) :
India Sketch Journal 2013 Page31 by Meera Rao