The Delhi Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum
Yesterday was perfect. I've been really concerned lately with making the most of each day and yesterday we made an effort to make it so.
I started off the day with good conversation at breakfast with Manohar and Sneha. We went up to the office in good spirits. With the weather getting warmer, there has been this reminiscent feeling of summer excitement around the past two weeks.
After our morning chai break, Rachel and I caught an auto to the metro. Off to the Craft Museum! It has been on my list for a while now, and Rachel decided to tag along with me this week since the kids at the school are busy with exams.
The Delhi Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum is right in the heart of Delhi, close to many other historical sites and monuments (many of which are still on my list). It is a quaint little collection of courtyards and buildings and craft makers. I was excited to see the heritage of craft making and art in India, especially with how much more you can learn about culture through art.
We rode the metro for about 45 minutes, transferred lines at one of the busiest stations in Delhi, and then finally got off at the Pragati Maiden metro station. We took a short uber ride and got out at the Craft Museum!
After buying our tickets (200 INR, or about 3 USD), we decided to eat first at the museum cafe, Cafe Lota. Little did I know I would find my new favorite restaurant in the whole world (literally).
The cafe is small and filled with plants and trees and dim but natural light. Unlike other nice restaurant experiences I'd had in India so far, this one wasn't too westernized. It was nice, but still felt like India. Because of the museum's attitude towards preserving heritage, the cafe serves regional food with pride and quality.
We got two small plates called Sandeep's Prawn (shrimp) Fry and the Himchali Tawa Chicken and then for dessert some Strawberry Golgappe! (explained in the picture captions)
Click on the pictures for a caption!
After we ate, we explored the museum. Check out some more awesome pictures below!
A big part of Indian art history is pottery, metal work, and textiles. The textile exhibits were really incredible. It's hard to imagine just how much work went into each piece. Definitely a different way to relate to the art than you would at an American art museum.
In February, I went to the India Art Fair, a very nice but expensively curated art show sponsored by BMW. While it was an incredible experience as well, I left feeling guilty that art can easily be made into a hobby only consumed by the rich. It was really incredible to go to the Craft Museum and see the art that has been made by the people throughout history, rich and poor. Art is a part of life and it was really great to see that alive and well at the Craft Museum.
Until next time,
- Jenna
