I never really thought about my father’s business until recently. Growing up, being constantly surrounded by it never gave me an outsiders perspective of how interesting it really was!
So today let me introduce you to KHOZEM GLASS PROCESSING WORKS – named affectionately by my grandfather with its popular tagline ‘The Glass People‘ – just about broad enough to cover all the incredible art glass designing they specialise in.
I keep asking my workers, crafters, artists, this one question and often its just a greeting………. “Khush ho?” (Are you happy???) …….. the man/ woman smiles…….. surprised and shy most of the time, happy by the gesture itself sometimes and at other times back with a story in his/her life – the stories are the best! These guys have much to share and those smiles – content – rather contagious and one of the reasons that I just love to chat up with them creators, the men/women who truly believe in their contributions to whatever big or little they do – they are happy and more than that – proud, something that I always have to remind myself off, strangely!
Ever thought about this – the people and businesses that a creative supports also supports them. It needs to co-exist like a demand and supply chart, its use needs to progress and develop not only in availability but in education and awareness as well and only then can an art form and its representative artistry stay alive. I feel elated that the digital world could never take away from this 2000 year old form of printing – Screen Printing.
Walk in to gape at the massive antique wooden table right in the centre with all paper products on display – as if it were an island on its own; stacks of paper lined on the sides and graded by colour – as if gazing at a rainbow so near; colonial architecture holding various exhibits of paper and paper products – as if to belong together; further in (by this time I have already decided my favourite spot) to the back and then to the corner is a dedicated section flaunting images of the craftsmen at the mill, their work in progress and a showcase of the different processes in the making of the paper – as if inside a museum making a connection felt through the story they are trying to tell —- Bombay Paperie – where paper is made without cutting trees and sold planting just love.
“My inclination is more towards teaching people and its more about my hobby and interest rather than the sale.”
For any history student – like me, the first connection you will probably make when you come across shelves of unglazed earthenware and hand sculpted art pieces are the chapters on the Indus Valley and Harappan civilisations! and then start to think about how ancient the traditional craft of pottery is… what its roots are? how has it evolved over the years? why we don’t come across enough people who practice/teach it?….and how it is the most underrated art form!!
#DidYouKnow taking up pottery has numerous benefits? Other than being a wonderful creative outlet there are dozens of physical and mental advantages from expressing oneself by creating something that requires full concentration and focus on the activity itself. It helps with the sensory development and motor skills for the young and is beneficial to those prone to arthritis in the hands as it promotes joint movement and dexterity. Pottery also works as a super de-stress agent and is often described as being therapeutic and relaxing…….
I have always been a person who could spend hours in an art shop - the colours, the papers, the many mediums, everything - more than captivate, hypnotises me! And I am quite sure if you are a painter or in any way inclined towards art you already know about these two art marvel stores located at the two ends of Bombay (Mumbai) - stocked to the brim with all possible art supplies - Himalaya and Art Station an artists heaven!
The nostalgia of an old customer who has been going there for years….. Himalaya is one of the first and finest stationery shops I have been to that caters purely and “soul-y” to fine art supplies and/or to inspire the fine artist inside you 😉
Located near Victoria Terminus Station and opposite the J.J school of arts, Himalaya has been first of its kind in India, an old establishment that is now running short on space with their products stocked and stacked all the way up to the ceiling, which by the way has been spray-painted and in a way adds to the charm of the shop. They have the most extensive range of art materials and brands you can think of, here you will find Winsor and Newton oil paint, Liquitex and Golden acrylic paint, Gouache colours; all kinds of mediums and varnishes, drafting tools, easels, calligraphy pens etc etc as well as a decent selection of instructional books on art. One can never leave without having to buy at-least one new thing!
Many Many Things 