@activecanvasfounation is organizing “Let’s Women Up!” A women’s Day Symposium on 9th of March. Come join us and these amazing women, stay inspired, make new friends and celebrate yourself on this special day!!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to watch @bindhumalini , Veena Basavarajaiah (@cartoon_natyam ), @sonuvenugopaal live on stage and listen to @shailichopra , Afghan-American education and writer Rangina Hamidi. Also the panel discussion with @harini.nagendra , Dr. Rohini Srivatsa, @vandanasuritaxshe , @shobharegunathan , Indu Anthony moderated by @vasanthihariprakash promises to be engaging and insightful!
We have some amazing interviews lined up as well. Listen to Dr.Ezhil Subbian of String Bio share her insights with Kadambari Mishra. Mrs.Beulah John of Refuge Foundation talks about her personal journey with Divya Raghunandan.
Can’t wait to see the digital exhibition featuring @laxmikaul stunning photography!
Get a chance to win amazing prizes at the Fun raffle. Look forward to seeing you there. 😊
The event is open to all and not ticketed!
#womensday2024#womenempowerment#womeninspiringwomen#womenineducation#womenleaders#activecanvasfoundation#wonderwomenprogramme
Navratri 2023
Day 4 : Royal Blue
Getting back to Navratri programming after a break! Was inspired to try this drape when I was reminded of it when @the.saree.scene shared it. Had worn it a couple of times some years ago but Amanpreet wears it with such elan, I had to give it another go!
A gorgeous jewel toned double ikat from my sis @raksha_sriram ’s wardrobe seemed perfect for this drape. We start with the pallu and work our way backwards. The usual pleats are done away with and instead you gather the yardage around you and tie them together at the back with a couple of knots. Makes for a clean silhouette and is a flattering drape. Like a pencil skirt. Oh and I thought walking in it may be tough but was I wrong! Stayed in it for over 15 hours and I did some traipsing around, thanks to day long rehearsals for our play. So it’s a yay for the drape!
A 20+ year old beaded Masai delight adorns the neck and my lapis lazuli favourites sit easy on my digits! Simple slides picked up from Dastkar in the exact blue-red-yellow palette of the saree was the icing on the foot! 😂
#sareedrape#divyaraghuram#saritorialist#drapetherapy#sareestyling#navratri2023#doubleikat#doubleikatpatola#patanpatola#accesories#jewelrylover
Navratri 2023
Day 3: Red
Style tip for the day: Swap the blouse for a top or T-shirt and try a different type of saree drape. Am going to be sharing quite a few draping ideas this Navratri. If you would like tutorials for any particular drape, please drop a comment.
Sporting a vibrant ikat today in a gorgeous drape that features a fan at the hip. There are various versions of this Mohiniattam drape. It’s a type of drape where instead of tucking the pleats, you let it flow out and it is that is held together only with two knots tied at the waist. Yep, no petticoat required. Though I have worn this often in the past, was anxious to drape this today as I had a super long day of commuting, rehearsals etc. But the saree stayed put from 7 am in the morning till 1 am. So, it’s a winner!
The mirror belt can also be slung across the pallu to make it it an unusual accessory!
The bangle stack is an eclectic mix of mother of pearl bangles, rice pearl bangles, a vintage red lac bangle, some hand painted bangles, rhinestone bangles and wire bangles! Mostly all 20 years old, some 30 from my mom’s collection. Highlight of the day for me 😍
Saree: From sis @raksha_sriram ’s cupboard
Earrings: Earthaments
Waist belt : From a stall at a Craft exhibition organised at NIFT.
Footwear: Stall at Dastkar
#divyaraghuram #_style_alchemist #sareedrape#sareestylist#drapetherapy#saritorialist#drapingstyle#ikatlove#redikat#navratri2023
Navratri 2023
Day 2: White
Today’s style tip: Swap the petticoat for a textured or printed skirt to add an interesting layer to your saree ensemble. Wear the saree hitched a few inches higher to see a glimpse of the skirt underneath.
I wore a super old pink crushed skirt and layered the white Ganga Jamuna saree over it. Though the blouse introduces a fourth colour, red, it has beautiful pink and white embroidery and a little sleeve detail which goes perfectly with the saree. Minimal accessories. Received the pink bangles as a gift for @reconsideringadulthood ’s pre-wedding ceremony a few years ago from her mom @vishalakshisudheer ! 😍
Stayed in this ensemble from morning to midnight when our rehearsals finally finished. For anyone wondering if it is comfortable, it was, super comfortable.
Saree: From sis @raksha_sriram ’s wardrobe
Blouse: @parama_g
Earrings and Heart brooch: @shopziddi
Shoes: @zara#navratri2023#sareeensembles #_style_alchemist #divyaraghuram#sareestyle#drapingstips#saritorialist#sareestyle#drapetherapy
Day 1 Navratri : Orange
Happy Navratri folks! Am not religious by any standard and festivals for me are about people, colour and enjoying things I like- like food, art, craft and textiles! Festivals mean different things to different people, so I wish you have a fantastic festival in accordance with your desires!
Wearing an orange silk with extensive half and half zari! I decided to wear it as as a 5.5 metre dupatta and drape it around me. In fact, wore the drape in 3-4 different ways through the day.
We are putting up an 8 hour play in 4 days and so I was in rehearsals from 9 am to midnight on the first day of Navratri. (Check @divyaraghuram and go to the highlights section and click on Parvatheplay to see updates)
Ideally one wears cotton at play rehearsals. So wearing a cream silk kameez and a silk saree for such long hours of practice and rigorous work is something that will make everyone look at you and go tok-tok! Was anxious the saree might snag somewhere. Luckily nothing happened. Sigh! The things I do for Navratri!
Style tip for the day: Wear the saree as a dupatta!
Saree: From @jamuna_raghavan ’s wardrobe
Kameez: Custom made @shopbakula
Earcuffs: @flyingfishaccessories
Footwear: @thecaistore#navratri2023#sareestyingideas#sareelovers#drapetherapy#sareedrape #_style_alchemist #divyaraghuram#festivewear#earcuffs
BTS from our play set to go on stage in 4 days!
Posing with @apurvaniruddh and @vinaydhruvakumar who are playing Sanjaya and Vidhura to my Kunti in the play Parva.
Swipe to see my favourite man in theatre - The elusive, super humble, highly accomplished Shashidhar Adapa.
Right after college, a couple of years into theatre, I had spent weeks in his massive set workshop filming hundreds of hours of carpentry and set design techniques on a camcorder. He was designing the sets for Tughlaq for Arjun Sajnani’s production and I was the AD and had played one of the small roles! So taken was I by Shashi, his passion for the craft, his attention to detail, and for the magic of handcrafted techniques that I seriously considered taking up a career in set design for many months. My love for Shashi endures.
Some moments from our visit to @kishore_acharya and @poojarao985 ’s beautiful new home and idyllic community! Sadly don’t have pics with the hosts themselves. Posting what I have.
A couple of beautiful pics with the talented @the_owl_mama , a pic of @veenaappiah who was photo shy but had beautiful rings on, so well, pictures were taken!
Shots of us going nuts while nellikai picking in their backyard, gooseberry for the uninitiated. A mouthwatering snack with salt and chilli powder.
Some quiet moments after everyone left -when Bhoomi trusted me enough to take her on a walk! Precious! And giving Hazel some hugs!
A leisurely day with good friends, chatter, good food and great vibes! Don’t have enough pictures of the day, but then when you are really having fun, that’s what happens.
Day out with sis @deepa.vaishnavi , visiting the Bangalore Edition of Van Gogh 360. It was like stepping into a dreamland, surrounded by the Master artist’s paintings on all sides. It was truly an immersive experience and any day spent around art is an enriching day for me! If you enjoy art and you haven’t visited yet, I would recommend a visit. Shows are on for a few more weeks! The commute (3 hrs to and fro) was a pain but it was worth the trek.
The art lover in me is absolutely for more shows like this in Namma ooru. The technical team has done a fabulous job in putting this show together. Also it’s evident that the design team and animation team have worked hard to present this prolific artist’s work in as seamless a manner as possible.
They have chosen different elements of each painting, isolated it, animated it in such a way that the paintings come alive layer by layer, character by character, some compositions almost feel like they were being painted in front of our eyes. Also they have taken pains to curate the flow of the work in such a way that some works merge into another beautifully, the sea of one painting, for instance merging into the sea of another painting!
And since it’s all around you, washing over you, it is healing, cathartic! Leaving me sometimes joyous, (like when the sunflowers surprised me on the floor before filling the frame on the screens all around), sometimes wistful!
That said, as a filmmaker, I wish the team had a filmmaker or theatre person on board to make it more cinematic. Will clarify that in another post, maybe!
Vincent’s quote ‘Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion’ welcomes us into the show. I would extend that to all forms of art! I dare say, if you can, extrapolate it to your way of life as well! Disregard public opinion! I have always had a happier day when I do!
Thank you for the photos Deepa Vaishnavi! 😘
#art#vincentvangogh#vangogh360#vangogh360india#vangoghimmersiveexperience#divyaraghuram
Bye July 2023 and thank you! Hello August 2023!
I have @thehithaceee to thank for inspiring me to create an end-of-the-month reel (and the music inspo).Have seen her do this every month for a long time and I finally made one of my own. I think it’s a great way to count our blessings and remind ourselves we are abundant.
Was happy to welcome mom back home after her whirlwind travels in her darling Germany, Switzerland, Italy and UK. I wish I had half her energy. 😅
Watching Bindhumalini shine at the release of Aachar & Co, a movie she can composed music for, was special. The music is playful and fun. I can’t wait to watch her achieve some amazing things and soar! Am thrilled for the whole team.
Also, so thrilled to be rehearsing for a play. Am going to be on stage after years and am really looking forward to it. More details soon.
With @balajimanohar , @bindhumalini , @pushpa_raghuram , and @priyanka.tn (Though we didn’t take any pics that day Pippa)
#gratitude#mylife#mypeople#goodtimes#july2023#grateful
