A Virtual Tour of EKA Lifestyle in Bengaluru!

With Diwali just around the corner, the timing could not be more perfect for a grand tour of this wonderful shopping destination called EKA Lifestyle based in Bengaluru! Also a number of my readers (based in Bengaluru) have repeatedly asked me to suggest a place to shop for brass artifacts and unique home decor accessories. This people is my answer to that question...... 

This is the one store that I make it a point to visit every time that I am in Bengaluru. A quaint little décor store, tucked off in the busy by-lanes of Ulsoor, that transports you to a whole different world the minute you step into it…..Infact, my association with Eka goes way back to my days when my husband and I we were setting up our first home in Bengaluru.

Eka was started 16 years ago and has grown to create a niche for itself with brass and décor enthusiasts. Kimiko Thakur Menzies is one of the partners at Eka and she very graciously let me share this wonderful store with you’ll. If you are looking to bring that instant air of decadent glamour to your home, then you are in the right place. Eka’s collection of brass artifacts and figurines is the most desirable, with beautiful detailing and great quality. I can tell you well in advance that you are going to have a hard time picking just one!

Every year at this time, Eka gears up for its annual event titled the “Lamps of Celebration”. It is a Diwali Promo event that boasts of exquisite collections, curated for this festive season such as hand painted clay diyas, ornamental brass lamps, bejeweled ranjolis, torans crafted from tissue and peals, decorative t-lights, runners and cushion covers in gorgeous cheerful colors and intricate brocade fabrics. A new introduction at Eka this year, is the ready-made Diwali hampers that are the perfect gift giving solution! If you make it there before the 31st of October, you can make the most of their ongoing festive offer that discounts divinity brass idols at 30%!

I’m going to let the images do the talking for me and I do hope you enjoyed this virtual tour and have it book marked as your new shopping destination for traditional brass artifacts. (FYI: Most of these images were shot on my March visit to Bengaluru this year. While the rest of the images were shared by the lovely Kimiko of Eka.)

Store Address:

EKA,

#19 Gangadhar Chetty Road,

Opposite RBANM's grounds,

Near Ulsoor lake,

Bengaluru - 560042.

Tel: +91 80 25544371, 25540876,  +91 98454 77648

(The store plans to launch their updated website soon. Until then direct all queries to their FB page or call them at the above numbers for products details and inquiries.) 

(Image Credit: # 2,4,7: Eka, #1,3,5,6,8 : Sruthi Singh)

Festive Entertaining with Coppre!

Festive season calls for entertaining in style with a huge dollop of glamour! I’m leaning towards the newest collection from Coppre, their “High Tea” range! The products from this range add the right amount of shimmer and shine, elevating the ambiance on such festive occasions to a whole new level. As we know, Coppre strives at honoring traditionally employed metal crafting techniques of India and blends it with innovative product design unlike any other. What I absolutely love about this particular collection is that the design is grounded in simplicity, has a contemporary vibe and has been experimented with by combining other elements such as wood and brass. 

You can now savor the regal ceremony of High Tea that was once reserved for the royals and aristocrats, with the finest and newest interpretations of the classic serveware from Coppre.  

Wooden Cheese boards in two sizes accented with a distinct floral copper motif (derived from the base of the temple shikhara) and modern angular shape, makes for a trendy way to serve up treats for Dilwai or for a more casual setting when friends stop by for a wine and cheese affair.

Next, we have the perfect display for sweet treats. The Regal pastry Stand and the Tiered stand offers both durability and elegant, modern flair. My absolute favorite being the Regal pastry stand, where brass and copper come together in a dual concentric circle design, with wood being the contributing factor for the sturdy base. Definitely something for the baker and pastry enthusiast, so that you can serve up your delectable goodies with some oomph.

Cocktail snacks and finger foods have never had a more lustrous and royal looking dish to be served in. Easy to pass around, these beauties are also perfect as a hostess gift.

This time around, Coppre has experimented with buntings and festoons in fun geometric patterns. I absolutely love the traditional toran/ bandanwaars effect that they bring with them. I happened to get my hands on this beauty and have used it to prettify my fireplace. Alternatively, you could use it to adorn your doorway and give your guests a royal welcome. (FYI: Another thoughtful gifting idea!)

Make sure you add a little sparkle this season with Coppre! The High Tea range is available at Coppre’s web boutique as well as at Amazon. 

(Image Credit: 1-5 : Coppre, 6 : Sruthi Singh)

Ganapathi Bappa Moriya!

"Ganesh Chaturthi" - excitement, grandeur, customs and traditions surrounding this festival is something I like to absorb completely. The whole idea behind celebrating each Indian festival at my place is to introduce our 8 year old son to his Indian roots and to inculcate an understanding and appreciation of what, how and why of our Indian culture. Apart from that, it is a wonderful time to revisit old memories and recreate the magic. Not to mention the festive spread that you get to enjoy in the company of family and friends. 

However, this year the scene is a bit different at my place. We are in the process of moving to our new home! What that means is we are dealing with packing, brown boxes and chaos. So keeping that in mind, I kept things simple and opted out of the traditional route of celebration. I thought it would be refreshing to have pretty little vignettes with Ganeshas in different materials as the anchors, scattered all through the home to set the mood for the festivities.  

So first up is the Kondapalli Toy Ganesha. Typically used in Dasara Kolus, I decided to bring him out of storage and join in a little early in the celebration. The Kondapalli toys follow a 400 year old tradition and hail from the "Toy Colony" of Kondapalli in Andra Pradesh. Carved out of locally sourced "softwood" known as Tella Poniki, the pieces are hand painted with vegetable dyes and vibrant enamel colors to breathe life into the creation. The most popular of these toys are the Dasavatarams (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu). I've paired my Ganesha with soft peach colored roses gently tucked into a Moroccan tea glass and a traditional brass arti diya for a traditional touch.

Next, we have a Ganesha fashioned out of "Resin". A piece that I've had for more than 20 years. Bought at a local arts and crafts fair in Bangalore, the elaborate detailing on it was something that I fell in love with at the first glance. I had originally placed it as a good luck charm in my car (in India). When we moved to the US, he moved with us too:)

These beautiful "Terracotta" Ganeshas are one of my absolute favorites. Love their cutesy aura. The larger one I picked myself from Pottery Town in Bangalore (again ages ago) and the smaller one was one of the items that I looted from my parents place;) With little terracotta diyas acting as urlis, this vignette is all about earthy tones. 

A contemporary "Glass" Ganesha takes center stage in this vignette. I love the opaque quality of this figurine and especially enjoy looking at it when the evening sun casts a warm glow on it. Looks comfortable in the company of my brass inkpot that's multitasking as my vase for this vignette.  

This traditional vignette has a "Brass" Ganesha as its focal point. As its backdrop, a pretty calendar framed makes for some great art. Strings of lotus seed and rudraksha beads together with red roses housed in my brass mortar completes the look.

And finally, a simple vignette that echoes the various greens of nature. An inlaid stone marble table top forms the base for this vignette with the inlay patterns forming an almost rangoli like effect. The Green Aventurine Natural "Stone" Ganesha looks serene in his natural setting with a brass vintage rice measuring cup serving as a vase for some  fresh cut stems from the garden.    

The warmest of wishes to you and your family on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi ! 

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Ganesh Chaturthi Wishes (2014)

Warm wishes to my wonderful readers on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi !!! May this festive season bring to you happiness, contentment, health and prosperity.

Ganeshji looks on....... as the Diya works it's magic 

A festive glow...........

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the new members of TECD on Facebook and thank each and everyone of you who has been so supportive and encouraging of all that I share on my blog. My blog and me have a lot instore for you, so stay connected......Coming up next is the much anticipated home tour.........

Images: Clicked by SPG (my better half). Please do not use without prior written permission. 

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.