Kathmandu valley is home to the Newar community, guardians of some of the oldest traditions in Nepal. Among the multi-ethnic populations of Nepal, the Newar Artisans emerged very early with a distinct identity. In Newari language, Kathmandu valley is called …
Daphne Paper and Nepalese Tradition
Specimen of newspaper, official documents, tibetan banknote, tibetan buddhist text, all printed on Daphne paper as per earlier tradition.
Nepal’s dependence on monsoon rain continues to intensify in agriculture, spirituality, social culture and art. In today’s modern life and ongoing threats from natural disasters and climate changes, this dependence is equally evident. On the fifth day of the month …
Burmese Naga Tribe – A creative force
Burmese Naga Tribe
During my travels in Thailand some years’ back, I went to Chiang Mai and my eyes were drawn to some beautiful fabrics with bold yet intricate patterns originating from the Burmese Naga Tribe (of North-Western Burma). From the marvelous Naga …
Sustainable Natural Textiles
From top to bottom, in the image above: Nettle, hemp and Daphley
From my earlier days, when creating designs, I was always attracted to the use of natural textiles such as hemp, nettle and linen, which happen to be the most sustainable textiles. So much so, that this led me to create my own textile, a vegetal leather which I named Daphley.
Writing on Handmade Paper
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Many of my customers and friends ask me about writing on handmade paper; with all the long fibres one may think the pen would not write smoothly, or that the ink will run though the fibres. Imagine having a cotton …
A Symphony of Daphne
My idea for this unique opportunity was to create a book, which would act as the container as well as the contents. The book, being the necessary space for the advent of creation, would itself become the actor of its …
The Paper Pilgrimage
handmade paper tibetan prayer book
For centuries, Daphne paper has been traditionally handcrafted in Nepal and used to make Tibetan prayer books. But this was no simple feat. Acquiring the paper from the lower hills of Nepal and then printing prayers for students of ancient …
Daphne paper: a millenial Himalayan tradition
Daphne paper (or Lokta in nepalese) finds its source in one of the most natural and sustainable plant fibers. For over a millenium, it has been produced according to Himalayan tradition, using the Daphne shrub which only grows in the foothills of the Himalayas. Naturally regenerating due to its very harvest…