Conserve. Cherish. Celebrate. These are the ideas behind a new art initiative by Vaastu Vidhaan, a company co-founded by conservation architect Rahul Chemburkar. As part of the project, Chemburkar will be putting prints of some of his artworks, inspired by the city, on sale.

Rahul Chemburkar

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From sketches of the Kessowjee Naik Fountain and Clock Tower at Masjid Bunder, to a free-hand drawing of Banganga Tank, coloured prints of Flora Fountain, and the many pyaavs in Mumbai that Chemburkar and his team have restored, this is a lovely collection to own or even gift a fellow Bombay lover. One set comprises six postcards and two bookmarks. “The aim of this art initiative is to sensitise our society about our built heritage. I try to bring out the intrinsic value of any heritage edifice through my sketches, thus, creating a social connect with it,” says Chemburkar. The sets are priced at Rs 450. 
@vaastuvidhaanprojects, Instagram

Around the world’s clothes in 79 pages

PIC COURTESY/THE CULTURE OF CLOTHES, TEMPLAR BOOKS

A new illustrated compendium of clothing, The Culture of Clothes (Templar Books) by Giovanna Alessio and Chaaya Prabhat, reminds us that wearing is also about flaunting. The book, rich with vibrant artwork by Chennai-based Prabhat, who is a graphic designer and illustrator, takes us around the world. Each region’s dressing style is inspired by local legends, folklore, nature, history and culture. With this in mind, Brooklyn-based writer Alessio tells the sartorial stories of cultures across Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe and the Americas. In India, we are introduced to the Banjaras and their voluminous ghagras, while in China, we learn about the gigantic headdress worn by the Longhorn Miao community, with a horn-shaped frame, and made with a collection of yarn, wool and human hair, worn to frighten off wild beasts. There’s also the gorgeous pollera dress, comprising a ruffled blouse and enormous skirt, worn by the Panamanian women, and the  masks made of cowrie shells, worn by the Yorubas of Nigeria. This book is a celebration. Buy it for the drawings. It’s priced at Rs 1,099.
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