Hello everyone ! As connoisseurs of craft at World Art Community – you may have seen my work on display here. For those who haven’t – I am Vijayshree Sovani – with more than 15 years’ of jewellery design behind me. My crowning glory has been my winning the Rio Tinto Global Design Award where Hollywood Celebrity and Presenter Tabatha Coffey donned the bracelet I designed, called “Sands of Time” while hosting the TV Guide Oscars Red Carpet. It was also later worn by Shaun Robinson at the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards.
My work and talent led me to design with numerous international and national jewellery brands, but the need to create my own designs under my very own name was a long-cherished desire.
I took the plunge and set up my own jewellery label under my own name. I now work to create contemporary yet affordable jewellery pieces, using themes and inspiration from different aspects of daily life – that are unique and enable the wearer to display their sartorial style.
One of my most treasured and inspiring collections is the Madhubani Collection – where designs, colours and finish are inspired by the Madhubani Art of Mithila.
Watch Madhubani art being created by National Award winning artist Bharti Dayal.
“Madhubani Earrings”
Madhubani art is practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar in India and the adjoining parts of Nepal. Painting is done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments, and is characterised by eye-catching geometrical patterns. There are paintings for different life and religious occasions and festivals.
The origin of Madhubani painting can be traced back to the time of the Ramayana, when King Janaka ordered his capital city to be decorated for the wedding of his daughter Sita to Lord Rama. Later on, the art was traditionally practiced by women to decorate their huts and it was closely linked to their religiosity and a desire to be one with God.
While Madhubani art was practiced and handed down over centuries – it was discovered only in the 1930’s by the British and recognised as an Indian art form by the Government in the 1970’s.
I believe that art forms must adapt themselves to changing times and trends in order to grow, without compromising on core values and their uniqueness. And herein lay my challenge. Inspired as I was by Madhubani art’s unique and distinctive style of drawing, lines, shapes, colours and symbols – the urge to transcreate this in to my art turned into a labour of love. And the results are there for you to see.
My collection of Madhubani design earrings in 925 sterling silver has style’s bold shapes, innovative strokes, vivid colour combinations with traditional and auspicious geometrical patterns and symbols.
This is my humble tribute to the artisans of Mithila – who work tirelessly to keep our heritage alive.
I invite you to support our traditional art and craft forms and check out the Madhubani Collection from my label here
I look forward to hearing what you think of my work and designs in the comment box below !