Photo taken from the website without prior permission.
The newly opened shop at the iconic Eros Cinema building at Churchgate is christened ‘SWADESH’ which translates as ‘my country’. A concept once popularised in 1906 by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Jamshedji and others The Bombay Swadeshi Cooperative stores was founded to promote Indian handicrafts. Know known as The Bombay Store, it remains a popular shop for Indian handicrafts.
Over time, many such stores have flourished like the various State Emporia that promoted handicrafts from each State,Cottage Industries and the Khadi & Village Industries Commission which has re-invented itself asKhadi Indiahttps://khadiindia.gov.in/.
The latest entrant in this field is none other than SWADESH, an enterprise by Neeta Ambani of Reliance . The shop is on the ground floor and first floor of the movie theatre which continues to function as a movie theatre.
Entering the shop, one is struck by the serene calmness, the enticing fragrance of Jasmine, and the sheer, clean, uncluttered look. Of course the prices are a bit steep but then that is to be expected considering the shop is not only marketing goods but also providing a story behind the various crafts. On top, you can enter a museum of sorts which has priceless articles on display.
Huge wooden carvings of Gods, bronze statues, brass lamps, earthenware, carpets , attars, skin care products, bed linens, traditional paintings on cloth and glass are just some of the things on display.
So if you are looking for a happy shopping experience, do drop by Swadesh.
The concept of a Meena Bazaar was first introduced to India in the mid-16th Century by Humayun, the Mughal Emperor. Essentially, it was a marketplace that catered to the needs of women, offering accessories, clothes, and jewellery. Of late, they have morphed into seasonal pop-up markets. These markets provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their wares. They also allow NGOs to generate some income for the charities they support.
I normally avoid such markets mainly because I only shop when I need to shop for something. Besides, most times, these events are a cross between a school fete and a jumble sale ( it’s a jumble of stuff being sold ).
However, yesterday was an exception when I spent a delightful afternoon at RUCHIKA, at the Dome at the NSCI. Yesterday was the first time ever in my life that I went to the NSCI. It’s a club that is literally 3 km away from my house!
Ruchika is a Mumbai-based NGO that sponsors several charities, holds exhibitions to support charities, organises medical camps etc. for the underprivileged
Cars formed a line waiting to drop off ladies dressed in their morning diamonds. Other cars were in line to exit the venue. I wasn’t planning on leaving home and was dressed in my sloppiest loungewear. When S called, I just slipped on my Neemans ( casual slip-on flats made from recycled plastic bottles), splashed some Westside fragrance and stepped out. It was no wonder that the fancy young hostess with bronze eyelids complimented me on my look. She must have mistaken me for a rather well-dressed lady’s maid or companion!
shop till you drop
There was more than just money dropping that afternoon. For starters, my jaw dropped seeing the absolutely HUGE Dome . It gained fame as one of the free quarantine facilities put up by our municipal corporation during COVID. Luckily, I didn’t have to use it. Nor visit anyone in it but I have since associated the DOME at the NSCI with Covid Quarantine.
the stalls
Opposite the eye-catching name display was a kiosk selling exotic flowers., dried flowers and scented candles. 1 Magnolia Lane, which describes itself as a floral atelier has outlets in Gurgaon, Delhi and a manager whom you could call for deliveries in Mumbai.
The first stall that was a stunner had the most exquisite silverware fromSR Artefacts.But with silver touching ridiculously unaffordable levels, I preferred to admire the workmanship and designs. They were really worth buying for the discerning buyer
The space was divided into two concentric rings – the outermost where the NGOs were displaying their wares. The inner ring in the dome itslef had a ring of little stalls while the inner core had the rest of the stalls.
Food stalls were at one side of the hall. Apart from the standard South Indian fare, there was a stall from Flurys and a few other caterers who experimented with pan Asian and fusion food.
I couldn’t resist the Baked samosa and had a disappointing Thai curry chaat. S’s option of Jasmine rice and Panang curry was much, much better
There were many stalls selling faux jewellery, handcrafted decorative items one even sold umbrellas. Many home chefs displayed their dips, chocolates and other goodies that they allowed you to sample.
But the majority of the stalls concentrated on clothes – targeting customers looking for the forth coming festive season.
Since I have nowhere to go and too many clothes in my closet, I just glanced through a few just to get an idea of what is in fashion these days. Much to my surprise, that ghastly CoOrd sets, which to my mind are trumped up pyjamas, have become more garish with lace trimmings, cutwork embroidery and blingy embellishments.
Ruchika is just one of the many bazaars that are pouring on our city this monsoon. Various trade organisations have sales and many private clubs too host such events so if you didn’t make it to RUCHIKA this year, do not despair.
So thanks, S, for taking me to this sale/exhibition. It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon.
I’m off now to watch a play (another activity I seldom do).
Have a happy weekend all,
Ciao,
Framed & Hanged ( framednhanged@gmail.com). For handmade torans and welcome garlands
K Story Brush Studiio for hand painted crockery, wall platters and clothing ( 9930938780 )
FAAYA(www.faayagifting.com)
Island Soiree for sushi, dips $ more (9320046000)
GONUTS (91 2245168162/41277044)
Listed above are some of the stores I found interesting.
My library at home consists of a bookshelf crammed with books, three books deep. And more than half of them are self-help books. The other half comprises of biographies, business biographies, a smattering of cookbooks. and perhaps some fiction ranging from Hubby Dear’s Grandpa’s musty leather-bound first editions to the latest animated novels that escaped the transfer to our memory house. Actually choosing books to send away was harder than throwing away clothes that don’t fit. Which book to keep and which to send away? Because we all know that none of us is going to drive 4 hours to choose a book which may or may not be stored away. Besides, when we packed the books, they were stuffed randomly and without labels identifying the contents of the boxes.
After years of going through books like Rujuta Divekar’s books about Losing your Weight and not Your Mind, , Dr. Atkins’ Diet, Steven Covey’s’ 7 Habits of Successful People’, Lance Armstrong’s inspiring biography, ‘It’s not about the bike’ , Jeanne Dixon’s ‘Yesterday, Today & Forever’ and ‘Coffee Can Investing‘ by , Saurabh Mukherjea et al, I have neither become healthier, wealthier nor wiser.
Book Reviews
Looking for a book to read?
Look no further.
So I still don’t know why I chose to read Mel Robbin’s ‘Let Them’. Perhaps it was the brevity of the title or the bright green cover that induced me to pick it up and glance through yet another book on how to improve one’s life.
I’m glad I succumbed to the temptation because this book really turned out to be a game changer – especially for home makers like me who have no one to mould save their families. And we all know how frustrating that is because no matter how many times we take the horse to water, it refuses to drink. And what this does is increase you stress levels. So let them is a wonderful book on how to deal with stress and the people that cause you stress.
Though this book was highly recommended by Kini, I sadly gave it up within the first few pages. Apart from the cover, there was nothing really catching about it and frankly, I’m quite tired of World War 2 stories which seem to have been done to death.
‘Hurry up and return it fast’ said Kini as I borrowed this book. ‘There’s a long waitlist’.
I couldn’t believe this book had people falling over this book, which, I found totally ridiculous and bordering on the juvenile
I had no sympathy at all for the two drunk strangers who went off to a houseboat that each mistakenly thought ‘belonged’ to them, for a one night stand and find themselves adrift. After 12 days of the most unbelievable adventures, they are rescued ( Obviously) and eventually live together as man and wife ( even more obviously). Highly avoidable.
Being a book lover, I thought this book would explore the joys of reading but honestly it was a boring compilation of the books Cathy Rentzbrink had read all her life.
Another totally avoidable book unless you want some book recommendations
I
I had read snippets of Sheila Dhar’s book in an earlier book of hers but couldn’t resist reading this one during my recent trip to Pune.
Truly a magical life led by an extraordinary ‘ordinary’woman with a passion for Indian classical music, who managed both the modern and traditional worlds with ease.
So, July was once again a disappointing month for books .
Twenty- five Seven 