The Kutch region of Gujarat Oil Painting

Located in the landlocked western recesses of the subcontinent, the Kutch region of Gujarat is home to lively folk fashion and vibrant aesthetics, both of which are characteristic of the local style of embroidery. 

It is the most notable of Indian embroideries, a Geographical Indication of the place it comes from. Note the embroidery the artisan holds in her hands. Striking foundation colour, silver sequins, and abundant florals. 

Kutch Artisan

These are atypical, and could be observed on the artisan's ghagra as well, what with the mirrors glimmering in the pale light that surrounds her. The rest of her outfit are a good picture of what Kutch fashion is all about - brightly coloured gold-sequined choli, luscious dupatta, and lots of chunky silver jewellery.

Desert-Skinned Beauty Oil Paintings

The tousled mass of her hair glows against the dim lamp that she has lit somewhere in her room, not within the view afforded by the frame. She has let it cascade to midway down her back, the desert tone of which comes across as highly seductive. From the gold and rubies and emeralds of Her statement shringar, to the band of turquoise brocade that is visible of her choli, bring out the beauty of her distinct complexion.

Desert-Skinned Beauty

The tousled mass of her hair glows against the dim lamp that she has lit somewhere in her room, not within the view afforded by the frame. She has let it cascade to midway down her back, the desert tone of which comes across as highly seductive. 

A striking Banjara woman Oil Art on Canvs

A striking Banjara woman forms the subject of this oil. She is tall, as could be made out from the length of her decolletage and torso; and dressed in minimal clothing to beat the merciless North Indian heat as she goes about her chores around the house. Her roseate skin, as much of it as is exposed, shimmers in the sun.

striking Banjara woman

She stands at the threshold of her bamboo hut, moments before stepping in after a round of chores in the courtyard. Something has caused her to pause, as she looks out into the distance with those intense, kohl-rimmed eyes. Perhaps she is waiting to watch her makeshift fields crop before her eyes (makeshift, because jhuming or slash-and-burn cultivation is how Banjaras subsist), a surreal prospect; or her husband is working on the cultivated patch, and she is trying to gauge from his body language whether he is returning to her any time soon. How realistic is the stance of her fingers - especially as she grips the shoot next to her - and the fold of the loosely knotted ghagra against the raised thigh, with its exposed sweep of skin.