Latest news with #Warli
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Fairy' creature that swims upside down discovered in a roadside pond in India
In western India, a shallow roadside basalt rock pond serves all sorts of passersby. Cattle use it for drinking and bathing; aquatic beetles, plants and tadpoles live below the surface; and it is a popular respite for tourists driving through. Just 3 feet deep, the naturally occurring, unnamed pond in India's Western Ghats is, by appearance, fairly unremarkable and indistinguishable from any other — except for the fact that is the only known habitat of a new species of 'fairy shrimp,' according to a study published July 24 in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. Researchers surveying the warm water for brachiopods caught several of the new species, Streptocephalus warliae, including one female carrying dozens of tiny eggs, according to the study. The Warli fairy shrimp is three-quarters of an inch long, and one of its most unique characteristics is its two sets of antennae, according to the study. Species in the Streptocephalus genus are known for their ethereal appearance because of the way they swim: upside down with their legs up. They are also known to inhabit temporary bodies of water, such as those that fill with rain and even dry out. Together, their ethereal and ephemeral nature earns them the name fairy shrimp, according to experts. The new species was named in honor of the indigenous Warli tribe that lives in the region, according to researchers. Warli women are known for creating distinctive paintings 'using natural materials like rice paste, gum, and red soil,' which reflect their close association with 'mother nature,' the study said. The species was discovered on the Jawahar plateau in India's Maharashtra state, about an 85-mile drive northeast from Mumbai. It is one of seven Streptocephalus species found on the Indian subcontinent, according to researchers. Researchers said the region 'remains inadequately explored' and is likely to be home to new species found nowhere else in the world. The research team included Prashant Manohar Katke, Sameer M. Padhye and Avinash Isaac Vanjare.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Move over framed art! Decorative wall plates are the hot new trend for home decor this season
Is your gallery wall feeling a little tired? More homes seem to be swapping out predictable framed prints for something with far more personality. Decorative wall plates are fast becoming the design trend everyone is talking about, and for good reason. A cosy living room wall styled with eclectic wall plates, mixing patterns and textures to create a warm, collected look. They slip into any space with a certain flair, offering a blend of wall art and sculpture that feels fresh without trying too hard. From blue pottery to hand-painted heirlooms, wall plates can transform a plain stretch of plaster into the best wall decor ideas you've seen in a while. Wall plates tick so many boxes and offer so much more than standard framed art. Here's why they work so well: They're incredibly versatile and suit everything from a minimalist flat to a boho-inspired living room. A sleek set of monochrome plates feels right at home in modern spaces, while vintage florals or Warli designs bring warmth to traditional rooms. They add depth and shape, creating a three-dimensional look that instantly lifts a plain wall. Each plate tells a story, reminding you of travels, markets or creative afternoons. Wall plates decor feels more personal and collected over time, never generic. Even a small set of affordable plates can make a striking impact without much effort. If you're tempted to give this interior trend a try, there are a few ways to make it work. Gallery walls with a twist One of my favourite ways to use wall plates is to layer them into an existing gallery wall. Mixing them with framed photos and a mirror adds more texture. Try different sizes and shapes. Let some edges overlap so it feels relaxed and easy. You can also add a small shelf or two to break up the grid and give everything a bit of breathing space. Solo statement pieces Sometimes a single plate can have more impact than a whole collection. I've seen oversized blue pottery plates hung above a console table or a bed, and they become an instant focal point. This works best when the rest of the decor stays simple. Grouping and collections It's satisfying to arrange plates by colour or theme. Grouping three to five in a loose triangle feels balanced without looking too staged. Odd numbers often look best. You might stick to black and white or mix pieces from different regions for a more eclectic style. Beyond the wall Plates don't have to stay on the wall. They can sit on stands or be propped inside open shelves. Beautiful decoupage plates often look striking in bookcases or along kitchen ledges. Hanging Methods Discreet plate hangers or strong adhesive discs are your best friends here. They'll keep everything secure and protect your walls from damage. Where can you find the best wall plates for your home decor? There are many choices available when it comes to sourcing. Vintage shops and antique markets are great for finding unique pieces with a bit of history. Many afternoons can slip by browsing dusty shelves, only to spot the perfect plate hidden in a corner. Specialty home decor stores often have curated collections if you prefer something contemporary. You can buy them online, where the range of styles feels endless. Travel is another chance to pick up a few plates as souvenirs. A collection grows faster than you expect. If you feel crafty, try painting plain ceramic plates for a personal touch. Moving beyond conventional wall art has become necessary. Decorative wall plates offer more than just the option to fill up empty space; they add character and interest. They show personality, bring in something unexpected and add life to any wall. So next time you feel tempted by another pastel flower print, pause and try wall plates decor instead. It might be the simplest way to create a home that feels genuinely yours. Similar articles for you 10 popular Indian art forms you can use in your home decor Why vintage decor is making a comeback: Textile museum designer Ravisha Merchant weighs in Best mattresses for a peaceful and comfortable sleep; Here are our top 8 picks for you Mattress matters: Find your dreamy match made in heaven; Nap like a champ! Wall plate decor: FAQs What styles work best with wall plates decor? Wall plates fit almost any style. Try blue pottery for boho rooms or simple white plates for modern spaces. Mix colours and textures for interest. How do I hang plates safely? Use sturdy plate hangers or strong adhesive discs. Check weight limits carefully. Always plan your layout on the floor before fixing anything to the wall. Can wall plates be combined with other wall art? Absolutely. They look great with framed photos, mirrors or small shelves. Just balance shapes and spacing so the wall feels layered but not cluttered. Where can I find unique wall plates? Look in vintage shops, home decor stores or online. Collect plates while travelling or repaint plain ones for a personal touch that feels truly unique. The author of this article holds a Master's Degree in Interior Design and has spent over a decade in research, teaching, and designing homes from scratch. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Mint
3 days ago
- General
- Mint
Teens rediscover ancient connections to nature through origin stories
Recently at a media literacy workshop for students of classes VIII- IX at a school in the National Capital Region, the discussion veered towards belief systems. While several students talked about the different facets of religion and spirituality they have grown up with, N.K., 14, declared herself to be a 'pantheist of sorts". I have not come across this term often, and certainly not declared with such conviction by an adolescent. At that age, most teens are navigating the intersections or dissonance between a budding personal belief system and that propagated by family and society, so this firm belief in nature being the sole source of all sacred energy in the universe came as a surprise. 'I look towards indigenous cultures and the symbiotic relationship that they share with local ecologies. For the world to have baance, these relationships become all the more important," says N.K.. Perhaps, growing up in a family with a keen personal and academic interest in anthropology has played a role. Or maybe it is visits to clusters of Gond, Baiga and Warli tribes with her mother, who works in the craft heritage sector. But N.K. is not the only one to turn to the human-nature relationship. In the past two years, I have interacted with a number of teens showing an interest in the ancient spiritual connections that tribes across the world share with the land around them. In a world besieged by natural disasters, crumbling ecologies and climate change, many teens are turning to oral histories and creation myths to see how these communities have kept nature at the very heart of their existence. 'If you look at it, every pigment, motif or building material that they have considered sacred or spiritual is also ecologically sound and has had minimal carbon footprint. Perhaps we need to incorporate some of those learnings in our lives as well. For that, we need more stories about their lifestyles and histories," says Radhika Chopra, 15, who wants to be an architect. In recent times, exquisitely illustrated books have brought such origin stories to the forefront as vibrant retellings without appropriating the voice of the communities. The most recent of these is Nalini Ramachandran's Once Upon a Beginning, published by Hachette India and supported by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). This set of 30 aetiological tales, or the 'first stories of everything", from different regions of the country has been illustrated by artists like Viplov Singh, Ishan Trivedi, Athulya Pillai and Chinmayi Samant. 'These ancient stories may have multiple versions as they have been passed down orally for generations. Moreover, they are unusual and don't necessarily follow a typical way of storytelling. So, I have had to reimagine many of these stories, add fictional names to some characters… tweak the end in a few tales, and add characters from specific wildlife species that are native to the region where a particular tale comes from," writes Ramachandran in her introduction. This is not uncharted territory for her. Her earlier books such as Gods, Giants and the Geography of India too presented stories that link human evolution and cultural beliefs. Once Upon a Beginning brings to the reader tales from the Raja Muria tribe of Chhattisgarh, the Lotha people of Nagaland, the Lepchas of Sikkim, the nomadic Rabari community of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Nicobarese people of the Nicobar islands, and more. One of the most touching stories comes from the Gadaba people, a subgroup of the Munda tribe, who live in Koraput, Odisha. It tells the origin of the unique kerang sari that the women of the tribe weave to protect their people from tiger attacks. The legend talks about a baby adopted by a pair of tigers after being stricken by remorse at having killed her parents. They raise her as one of their own, teaching her the skills of hunting and navigating the forest like a tiger. That is until she decides to hunt on her own and ends up being captured by villagers. Though, over time, she learns to adapt to this new way of life, she never forgets her adopted tiger parents. One day as she walks through the forest, she comes across the kerang tree. She extracts fibres to weave a kerang garb, which looks like the hide of a tiger. As she drapes it, she feels a deep sense of calm. Today, this handwoven fabric is fast going extinct, though efforts to revive it are ongoing through cultural organisations like the Kerang Fabric Project. This origin story is also one of the evolution of camouflage and ways of survival. Another book that delves into seldom-told histories of tribes such as the Halakkis, Changpas, Hill Marias and Jarawas is 10 Indian Tribes and the Unique Lives they Lead (Duckbill, 2023) by Nidhi Dugar Kundalia. She writes in her introduction that despite many differences, the tribes covered in the book have one thing in common: the fact that they are in sync with nature and its rhythms. 'They take from nature only what is required and give nature time to heal and re-grow. Whether it is the Kurumbas leaving behind some honey for animals in the jungle or the Khasis preserving tracts of forests for centuries, each tribe treats mother nature with the greatest respect," she writes. In one of the chapters, Kundalia mentions the folk songs of the Halakkis of north Karnataka. Known as janapadas, they create visuals about a tribe's bond with nature, the animals that are their playmates, the iridescent bioluminescent fungus that grows around them. 'As they move deeper into the forest, they sing songs about their land's talking trees and gnomes that live in the duffs or decayed matter on the forest floor..." she writes. 'There are almost no records of wild animals attacking the Halakkis. One would like to think that this is because all inhabitants of the forest love the gentle Halakkis, who never take more than what they need from the forest." Though the book is not an illustrated one, the interesting nuggets of information and the contextualisation of ancient practices to modern times make for an engaging read. You can read these stories—about birds finding their daily rhythms, healers who understood the mysteries of medicinal plants, the origin of coal and iron, and the invention of zodiac signs—with a sense of wonderment. These may seem like stories of magic and enchantment, but these tales go far beyond that. They tell of a time when humans were in tune with the flow and cadence of nature. Perhaps it would serve us well to truly listen to the land once again. Raising Parents is A monthly column about art and culture ideas to inspire both children and adults.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Prez hosts Sohrai artists from state in Delhi
1 2 3 4 Ranchi: The state's indigenous Sohrai Art made a powerful impression on the national stage as 10 tribal women artists from Hazaribag showcased their talent in the art at the Kala Utsav, hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan between July 14 and 24. The event, a part of the 'Artists in Residence Programme', was supported by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and brought the long-overdue recognition to this traditional mural art form. Painted using natural pigments on earthen walls, Sohrai Art is deeply connected to Jharkhand's agrarian and spiritual life. It is typically practised by tribal women during harvest and festive seasons. Despite its cultural richness, it largely remained on the margins of India's mainstream art narrative because of the lack of patrons and promotion of the art and the artistes. At the Rashtrapati Bhavan event, the art received appreciation at the highest level. President Droupadi Murmu, who personally visited the workshop, called it a reflection of India's soul. "These artworks reflect the soul of India, our connection to nature, our mythology, and our community life. I deeply admire how each of you continues to uphold these invaluable traditions," she said, lauding the 10 artistes from the state. Making it a seamless experience for the 10 participating artistes, the IGNCA Regional Centre, Ranchi, coordinated with the authorities concerned for the Rashtrapati Bhavan event. Speaking about the significance of this event, Sumedha Sengupta, a project associate of IGNCA told TOI: "This is the first time that Sohrai Art has been given exposure at the national level, and along with it, Jharkhand, also received a special form of exposure on the national platform. While other tribal art forms like Warli and Madhubani have long enjoyed recognition, ours haven't. We're hopeful that this event will now open new vistas for our art form. " She added, "We are also aiming to take this next to the PMO. This platform gives visibility not just to the art but to the lives revolving behind it. There will be future opportunities for these artists in exhibitions, residencies, and cultural collaborations."
Times
5 days ago
- Times
Il Sereno review: a uniquely modern hotel on the banks of Lake Como
When it opened in 2016 in the small town of Torno, this thoroughly modern hotel ruffled the feathers of Como's grande-dame properties with its unashamedly sharp-edged aesthetic, crafted by celebrated designer Patricia Urquiola. The 40 lake-view suites are pared back with panache, the food is Michelin-starred and the spa is in a converted boathouse full of character. You really are on the lake here — its gently lapping water is only inches away as you swim in the photogenic outdoor pool, and there's even a tiny natural beach beneath the terrace. For extra wow factor, the hotel has Riva boats for stylish outings. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Score 9/10Urquiola is one of her generation's pre-eminent designers. Her work is displayed in the permanent collection of MoMa in New York and the Fonds National d'Art Contemporain in Paris. As she is based in Milan, about an hour's drive away, Il Sereno feels like her weekend residence — and the attention to detail reflects that. The use of local book-matched marble is stunning, accessorised by Venetian terrazzo floors and walnut fixtures that add depth and warmth. For glamour, she's added watery blue, bronze and tangerine tones to the day beds from B&B Italia, husk armchairs by Moroso, custom lighting by Flos and covetable hand-knotted Warli rugs by Paolo Zani. Bathrooms are calming cocoons, many with deep tubs as well as rainforest showers. All are stocked with pampering black amber amenities by the A-list-approved Ex Voto Paris. There are also generous touches such as a complimentary panettone and minibars. In short, the rooms are so classy that you barely notice the dreamy views over the lake through the walls of windows. Score 9/10 The Naples-born executive chef Raffaele Lenzi was running his own pastry shop at 14 and went on to work in world-class kitchens such as the then two-Michelin-starred Arquade at the Hotel Villa del Quar in Verona. He has been presiding over Ristorante Il Sereno Al Lago since 2016 and everything about this dining experience is theatrical. You approach via an extraordinary 'floating' sculptural staircase with walnut treads lashed together by copper-coloured metal rods, and sit beneath the building's ancient stone arches, the lake almost within touching distance. Like the design, dinner takes its culinary cues from the past but adds a 21st-century dynamism. Tasting menus showcase Lombardian produce and you should expect the unexpected. Apologies for spoiling the surprises, but this might include a moreish hummus of fermented borlotti beans, perfectly cooked cauliflower with carbonara sauce, delicately piquant rainbow trout with sweet-and-sour melon and horseradish, and unforgettable veal osso buco. Breakfast embraces healthy granolas and fruit but can't resist Italian sugar hits of custard-filled doughnuts and panettone. • More of the best hotels in Lake Como• Best villas in Lake Como Score 9/10The sleek 18m infinity pool runs lengthwise to the lake and is fitted with underwater music and mood lighting. It has a smart sun deck lined with pea-green loungers. To its side is a mini sandy beach with direct access into the lake should you prefer to swim there. There are also paddleboards, kayaks and a rowing boat to take onto the water. The small spa is in a characterful old boat house and somehow squeezes in a hot tub, sauna, steam room, fitness centre and three treatment rooms where excellent therapists work their magic with products from the Swiss luxury skincare brand Valmont. The hotel also has its own private dock, three self-drive Riva boats and a Urquiola-designed Vaporina del Lago water limousine for aquatic explorations in style. Score 8/10Torno is on your doorstep and is a pretty little town with atmospheric cafés, quaint churches and precious few tourists. If you hanker after hordes of holidaymakers, fashionable Como town is about a 15-minute drive away, where you'll find designer stores and fancy restaurants. Torno has a pier and ferry services and is about a ten-minute walk from the hotel for trips further afield. Price B&B doubles from £765Restaurant three course menus from £112Family-friendly YAccessible Y Susan d'Arcy was a guest of Il Sereno ( • Lake Como v Lake Garda: which one should you visit?• Best villas in Lake Garda
