I have chosen India as my Place alphabet - I was born in Madras but left when I was two years old and have not gone back. It is a place which has resonated with me over the decades but, for many reasons, I never managed to make the return journey. Now it would be much too difficult as my mobility, affected by infantile polio, is pretty limited.
So, this alphabet is a memento in reverse of the places I would have visited if I'd had the chance. Some of the places were spoken of by my parents and friends, some are names that I like the sound of and others just looked interesting.
Using hand-made in India, I collaged sari silks and pieces torn out of an old India guide book, then gave each page a watercolour wash; the letters were printed with wooden blocks hand carved in India and stitching round each letter highlighted it. My current plan is to make a book with the alphabet.
Here are the first four letters:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1PigMzEXwh5kHS4CA9TNib6WLwzOohbwzTy8X-ffvOy2TqDA-5rxSRIK1MXjgf3Tfe8pDFpXMmxhdQ1gc8ad2n7YnRYMQFulwUuuM2pPV64dkKKXgzGwwtvBxhTRUVLYQTuUUuNIckU0/s1600/Amritsar.jpg) |
Amritsar |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLwJuMWdMJ_MskExNFqDJjWrk1YEgHdnBCvNZbqG9DH38guUOJiNZIwNkFfLA_9IrwN-3NNLwxU9_z4Wbk8mREtErwgK5rKV9zyrtSANEcjXKuEXDUp62uPki6n0yYKF31Dbhzz90AzCM/s1600/Bangalore.jpg) |
Bangalore |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTYewMT0ixYtVbhYbLfwYJSFKcecw1sHZZXpTz6-74tCyetiPyMWAzdcDQz8CqDhvMncLPS27U-43Q1E8lofb7s8pGmzAJ7LLNPCbbafwDJzfXv1fdiWRdhqGW5s539lzvSvSxzIgXRTP/s1600/Coimbatore.jpg) |
Coimbatore |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLcUv8pqQa-z0TjQ1ypMIRRA_J2crv_V6xOVdxW1KGweBOocOqKNc7-Vs6uXO5PWcNpeylvHAcjPkpVsqspBbI-eQ9XmovrSfYKcM8LnF4tbzTGPfLPIAcyZ1YvbgQXNeI83_vx2zyDfr/s1600/Darjeeling.jpg) |
Darjeeling |
Oh Sabi, so exciting. I live in India and I was born in Madras. I wish you could travel and visit India.
ReplyDeleteThese little compositions will make a nice little book. I am listening to the Cricket (England v India) and all the place names sound quite wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSandy in the UK
I love the layerings of place in these Sabi - the saris, the guide book, the wood-block letters...and they are all so beautiful in and of themselves. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous - I'd love to go to India too!
ReplyDeleteMeg