As you may have guessed, I have not shared ALL of my photos from my trip to India last Fall. Every once in awhile I'll pull out an image that tells a story, and inspires a quilt.
On the 8th day of our 2 week trip, we arrived in a city called Gwalior, which is known for its ancient fort called Man Singh Palace, built around 1500 on the top of a cliff.
Some traces of the blue and yellow tiles remain on the carved stones which represent elephants, peacocks, crocodiles, tigers, lions and yellow ducks. Nearby are ancient ponds filled with lotus flowers. Wild dogs and sacred cows roam the grounds, and at night there is a light show projected onto the palace's outer wall. A sheer 300 foot drop overlooks the lights of the city below.
As I looked at the 500 year old tiles and stone embellishments, I thought about the artisans who created the masterpiece of architecture. Did they bathe and drink from the lotus ponds? Did they ride the elephants through the massive doors built specifically for the pachyderms? Did wild peacocks call from the palace gardens?
I imagine the many bright colors of the saris, worn by the ladies of the palace. The traditional textile arts of woodblock printing, embroidery and beading are with us still today. The fragments of blue and yellow tile, on the carved red rock, still whisper the secrets of the royal artisans who gazed out from the heights of the palace walls. Click here to see the fabrics inspired by the Man Singh Palace of Gwalior.
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