On The Dusty Trail Of Discovery

Awake to the sun slowly rising over Jodhpur, the ‘fog-horn’ sound of a nearby train rolling gently, south. There is a quiet, peaceful, stillness over the garden, punctured by the chatter of bird and then the inevitable sound of the horn and distant traffic pervades. This wonderful, restful ‘green oasis’, with Acacia and Kherji, Bayan and the sacred Peepal will be our home for a while as we make our way out to the yonder and meet up with our many small family handicraft suppliers. A daily journey of discovery will unfold with a strong sense of ‘home’, being among our many friends, begins.

Once we have been picked up, we make our way out into the ‘busy’ traffic and teeming life that is India on the go, full of colour and movement, fast and slow.

We first make our way to one of our long time exporters at his factory, where we are warmly greeted and handed bouquets of flowers. Following a catch up and sharing of stories, we make our way out to the desert tracks, first arriving at a long-time and very dear father and son handicraft business, newly moved. With a deep and heart felt shared union, we proceed to explore their collection of pieces to find a wonderful array of unique, original and individual items, full of character, charm and many, of a life lived. We were delighted to be able to secure an extraordinary collection from stunning hand carved ‘Jodhpur’ blue cabinets, bedsides, trunks (large and small), sideboards, TV units, display units, old teak mirrors, vintage shrines, hand painted pieces, display cabinets, candleholders, consoles, old teak benches, hook panels, antique corbels, old hand carved marble statues and so much more.

The highlight being an exceptional antique hand carved old teak panel from Uttar Pradesh, depicting the story of the Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva (the epitome of heavenly love and eternal belonging); our most treasured and favourite item that we were able/allowed to purchase, dhanyavaad.

Following tea, group photos and a mutual and fond sense of past, present and future, we made our leave and onto visiting our next long-time supplier. It was with sadness to find him away at his village only to be reacquainted with his son who was now taking care of business.

Here we were able to source and buy a number of fabulous old teak items from bajots, low desks, temple shrines, consoles, bowls, chapati boards, spice containers, mortars, shelving units and trunks. Here we were to find a range of glass wall cabinets and old hand carved marble stone chapati boards.

Following the sharing of drinks and family stories, group photos, we were back on the move. As the day was setting, we made our way, through very busy traffic, before heading off on the long and winding desert tracks to our last and very dear (and smallest), family supplier.

Warmly greeted with heartfelt mutual hugs (and as ever, a beaming smile), we were saddened to find in this difficult global trading period, he was finding times very difficult and had fairly little stock. Being so fond of him it was great to be able to purchase as much as was possible, including a fabulous array of mihrab and arch mirrors, display shelving units, cabinets, hand carved consoles, jali panels, bajots and a pair of extraordinary antique hand carved doors (utterly stunning).

With sadness, group photos were taken and much hugging before setting off, back into the maelstrom of traffic, noise, colour and the journey ‘home’, to our green oasis for a time of quiet reflection; a beautiful and memory ladened journey shared. Thank-you for reading; Namaste.