Khat

A motif found predominantly in kota doria, which uses cotton as warp and silk as weft threads. The warp and weft are corded in a way that creates a striped checkered pattern on the fabric.

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Tricephalic

The depiction of a figure, usually a deity, with three heads. The so-called Pashupati Seal of Mohenjo-daro is an example…

Svastikasana

A yogic asana (pose) in Hatha yoga, where the body is seated in a cross-legged position. It is the first…

Gaja Hasta

A single-handed gesture in South Asian iconography in which the palm is stretched out and downwards from the wrist, with…

Mukkode

In Jaina religious art, it is a motif featuring a three-tiered divine umbrella that appears in depictions of the Tirthankaras…

Chandesanugrahamurti

A benevolent form (anugrahamurti) of the Hindu deity Shiva, in which he is depicted bestowing his blessings upon his devotee,…

madanika

Celestial figure of a young, beautiful woman in Indian art and mythology, often associated with nature. The Sanskrit term madanika…

Dabbi

Meaning “small box,” it is a single, squarish motif found in the Rajasthani style of tie-dyed bandhani fabric, which depicts…

Axis Mundi

A Latin phrase meaning “world axis” and referring to the centre of the earth or the point at which the…