|
 Indian theme is not as completely new as it may seem at
first glance. It has been a popular theme from
olden times and up to this day. Bright and motley coloring of Indian interior
with strange objects and gold embroidery appeal to generous and full of zest
European nature.
Still, the precise copying of this style and its elements can
be overwhelmig for our character, which was formed in the illimitable fields
and pine-tree forests, upon quiet creeks and not in the tropical jungle full of
wild monkeys and blooming lianas. It is easier to borrow some fancy details -
they will get into place in any interior. And it is no wonder: they come from
the country where all kind of styles get along better than in any other place.
Let us start with clear understanding of what can be borrowed. Mainstay of
Indian decoration is carved wood and patterns. Throughout India you can find a
lot of carved wood decorating windows, balconies, doors, sometimes ceilings,
and, by all means, furniture. Carved columns and plate traceries of figured
arches are essential elements of Indian architecture. This way or another the
Sun, which has been worshipped by Hindus for ages, is part of Indian interior.
Many elements symbolize the sun: circles are for the heavenly body itself,
radiating lines stand for its rays, and bright spots resemble its light.
Very real, not symbolic, sun is reflected upon lacquered surfaces. India, rich
in different types of resins, posesses advanced technologies of lacquering
coating. Coloured, rapidly drying lacqueres are mostly used for carved
furniture details. Another method involves applying multilayers of lacquer and
scratching the picture through on its surface like sgraffito (from Italian «sgraffito»
- «scratched through», scratching through the upper layer of plaster to reveal
the lower layer, which is different in colour).
In India not only furniture and walls are lacquered, but also various
accessories. It is understandable that there are more than one method of
lacquering. Nirmal (named after its place of origin in Adilabad district) is
the most known of them. It appeared more than four hundred years ago. Black,
red and gold lacquer is produced from tamaringo seed juice. It is applied over
different objects made of papier-mache and soft wood, like boxes, trays, and
dishes. Then they are painted with bright water colours, and another layer of
lacquer is applied. An explicit array of expressions is portrayed in myriad
colours and forms, including large lotus flowers, people, mythological
characters, copies of portrait miniatures, and even fragments of Ajant cave
temple paintings. Lacqueres of Kashmir usually have some petty floral patterns
which totally cover the surface. Lacqueres of Orissa, as a rule, have red
background with white «flies», and depict legends about Krishna.
Sari for the window
Turquoise, raspberry and orange are prevailing colours in Indian interior. But
only in Hindustan they get unique shades and nuances; therefore, it is advised
to bring decorating cloths for the interior from there. Cotton fabrics has been
used in India since olden times - cotton grows abundantly in this country. Folk
artists came up with a fascinating product - printed cloth - cotton fabrics
with printed scenes from the rustic ethos with multiple figures of musicians,
dancers, and animals. They are amazingly bright, cheerful, decorative and
picturesque.
Indian silk is special not only in colour, but in texture as
well. It is a little rough by touch, not as smooth and slippery as Chinese
silk. Traditional woman's clothing is sari, the cuts of cloth 15 - 25 feet (5 -
8 m) long and 44 inches (110 sm) wide. Indian women have been wearing sari with
dignity and grace for centuries. And Russian women gladly hang them upon the
windows. One silk sari is enough to make two curtains, or one can select two
slightly different pieces. Indian interior is not complete without colourful
carpets with geometric pattern. They come with a nice bonus: they are cheaper
than Persian or Turkish ones.
Indian furniture is low, sawn by hand from Indian oak, nut wood or pink wood.
It is functional and whimsical at the same time. Indian furniture is
enviromentally friendly: all mordants and dyes are of natural (plant) origin,
and natural wax is used for polishing and coatings. Easy transformation is a
common feature of Indian furniture. Stools, chairs and tables, screens,
shutters and doors frequently change their places, and their function. For
example, an elegant carved door easily can transform into a table top. Some
objects are brought in from the street (so to say «guests from out-doors»). A
former elefant saddle or a cart (arba) taken off wheels may become a coffee
table. These whimsical things are abundantly decorated, sometimes in-laid by
ivory or camel bone, they are riveted or rimmed with metallic strips to protect
wood from thermites and moist climate. Typical items of Indian furniture are a
stool with grooved lacquered legs and a woven seat, a low couch with brocade
pillows, and a dresser with multiple sliding drawers.
Matryoshki from India
A screen is a traditional attribute of interior in the country of miracles. In
maharaja's chambers it was used to create cosy spaces in the enormous palace
rooms. Today it is an active element of every interior in Indian style. And the
choice is overwhelming. Screens made of Indian oak with openwork carving are
not varnished and emphasize the natural beauty of wood. Screens, decorated with
lacquered colourful miniatures with images of people, flowers or fruit.
Screens, made of varnished wood with modest carving and a strip of large
pattern, with metal inserts in the shape of the stylized sun or a flower.
Another amusing Indian thing - a set of three table-stools of different height,
which are placed one under another. They occupy little space, look originally,
and they are very handy. Usually this «matryoshka» is decorated in Rajasthan
style - with carving and mother-of-pearl or brass laid-ins, or in Goan style -
with magnificent lace carving.
Indian cabinets are very expressive. This reduced imitation of ancient
originals accurately copies decorating details and accessories of cabinets from
maharajas' palaces. Heavy wardrobes made of Indian oak have doors, which
resemble ancient fortress gates, decorated with strips of nonferrous metals and
carved flowers. Cabinet for things and bed linen storage is called «damchi». It
is a long box with four legs, decorated with carving and incrustation, with two
small doors in the middle. Sideboards with convenient shelves are called «almadi».
And don't forget elefant figurines. Other animals, respected in India - cows,
horses and antelopes, can be placed together with them. They can be cut of
wood, or made of papier-mache and stretched over with camel or buffalo skin.
The ancient Indian tradition demanded bronze and copper dishes for ritual
ceremonies, and they are very decorative and appropriate not only in the
kitchen. One more ancient element of Indian decor, which is very popular today,
is a hookah. Best samples are made of glass and metal with leather hoses and
carved mouthpieces. The hookah goes well with a chess table with figures carved
of sandal wood. The composition can be complemented with a vase filled with
floating candles and flower heads, and Indian fragrancies. Now you are ready to
begin meditation.
|
