Kutch is that marshy land that turns into a glistening white sheet as the water evaporates leaving the salt crystals behind. It is the land where men clad white dhotis and turbans and sport their well curled moustaches and the women wear colourful saris with creative embroidery.
Beyond the obvious visuals lie interesting openings in the wall that illustrates the spatial story of Kutch. Like, a niche in the wall of a bhunga, with slits for light and ventilation. Painted in white and decorated with floral embossing, it illustrates the climatic story of Kutch.
Similarly, the peeling bright paint at the abandoned ruins of Prag Mahal in Bhuj suggests the regions affinity for colour in the harsh desert.
Kutch gets its visual identity from such traditional structures which showcases such unique openings and painted facades. Interestingly, now the colour and patterns are put to use for advertising rather than beating the desert blues.
Text By Vishanka Gandhi
Photos By Ira Gosalia
Contact
email: ira@phxindia.in
