THE ARTISTRY OF INDIA A CRAFTSMAN’S JOURNEY

2-14 October 2015

Enquiries and bookings: studio@aprilrussell.com

April Russell and Gilly Kitching invite you to join them them in India for a fascinating journey into the country’s Mughal and Rajput heritage, complemented by an exploration of the myriad of traditional arts and crafts which have shaped this great country through wave after wave of extraordinary cultures.

Our journey will take us to the legendary cities of Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur and Mumbai. Throughout, we will enjoy private guided tours of some of India’s most romantic palaces and heritage sites, along with visits to the studios and workshops of eminent craftsmen and women working across the whole gamut of India’s rich craft traditions: broadloom silk weaving, stone and marble carving, miniature painting, hand-blocked cotton, ceramics, carpet weaving and furniture making.

The programme will be led by Gilly Kitching of Inspiration Events accompanied by historian and crafts specialist Navneet Ramen, a native of Varanasi and lecturer in crafts studies for the School of Art Institute of Chicago.

SIGNATURE MOMENTS

  • Private visits to workshops and studios where we will meet eminent craftsmen and women and see them at work.
  • A behind the scenes tour of Jaipur’s legendary jewellers, Gem Palace, who for over 500 years have adorned Rajasthan’s royal families and who now also produce jewels for renowned western jewellery houses.
  • A Sunset cruise along the ghats of the sacred Ganges at Varanasi to witness evening devotional prayers.
  • A curator-led tour of Jodhpur’s magnificent Mehrangarh Fort.
  • A guided tour to Jaipur’s Amber Palace including ascent by elephant (optional!) and a private visit to the Tiger Fort.
  • A visit, including dinner, to the exquisite, privately owned Samode Palace.
  • Accommodation at iconic five star historic hotels including Delhi’s Imperial Hotel, Udaipur’s Lake Palace and Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace.

My passion is to create beautiful homes with stunning artwork, subtle paint finishes, bespoke furniture and carefully chosen soft furnishings. Join me on a unique journey to discover India’s most inspirational artisans in their own field of work: ceramics, textiles, furniture and design.

APRIL RUSSELL, INTERIOR DESIGNER

The art of interiors