From Water Whistles To Choli Bags, Handmade Artifacts Get Quirky At Dhoop

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Stepping into Dhoop – a deceptively humble and artsy-looking home décor store in Bandra – is like entering an authentic Indian handicrafts mela where in a brilliant kaleidoscope of colours, you are presented with a plethora of artifacts which epitomize and glorify ancient and modern India.

What sets Dhoop apart from most home décor stores is simply the fact that each Dhoop artifact, whether a tweeting bird whistle, a lotus lamp, or a serving tray made from recycled pencils, is steeped in Indian history with interesting folklore to back it. And who doesn’t love a good story?

At the risk of being biased, this post highlights a few of my Dhoop favourites!!

Hailing from the holy city of Varanasi and straight out of an Amar Chitra Katha comic book, come the flying gods and goddesses. I was utterly charmed by a little clay tweeting bird. Simply pour a little water into this artifact and blow into it. You will hear the most authentic tweeting sound – bound to evoke a happy grin from anyone.

The store’s recently launched SHILP collection is an eclectic blend of handmade tiles and wood work in sheesham. Be it a bookend, coaster, door knobs, shelves or a towel holder – it’s a beautiful marriage of old world and new aesthetics.

Both charming and quirky is The Buzz Buzz Quartet – skillfully handcrafted mosquitoes from recycled tins, mesh nuts and bolts. And the Band of Musicians – mosquitoes playing musical instruments – is a sheer stroke of genius!

The Pabi Bag is a vibrant bag from Gujarat inspired from a tribal woman’s choli. Everything about it says rural India – vibrant, rustic, stylish and utterly stunning! Here’s a fashion statement that’s bound to fetch a compliment!

With Diwali on the anvil, a visit to Dhoop might be especially productive. Some gifting ideas could include the Cutting Chai Glasses candles (remember my post on the store’s Mitti collection?), or a gorgeous Bloom Lotus Lamp from Karnataka, a unique prayer candle holder made from welding together 16 metal petals.

Available in shades of blue and green, red, orange and yellow, and a more classic bronze and olive green, Dhoop’s newest Choori T-light Holder is going to add a whole new dimension to your festivities this year.

Where: Dhoop, Khar Sheetal Apts, Corner of Union Park and Ambedkar Road, Khar

Website: www.dhoop.co.in

Contact: +91-22-2649 8646/50, 98203 02195 or email dhoopcrafts@gmail.com