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In shop no. 50 of Hauz Khas Village a lady sits all six days of the week except for Tuesdays. Cottage of Arts and Jewels is owned by her, she is a designer of all types of jewellery . Here I present a collection of artefacts restored by her. Mrs. Kusum Jain Designer by Profession has amassed large collections of old movie posters, printing blocks,textiles and lot more. Out of all the main attractions were the fabrics with needle work.
Kusum has this incredibly traditional Gold embroidery a broad laced fabric with some needle work of silver in it. It gripped me completely and it was then when I began asking her about what had prompted her to collect these? She then divulged all from the genesis till today. Kusum’s father Mr. K.l. Goyal was a businessman in old textiles. She is willing to disclose what all she has to share.
A motley collection ranging from textiles , jewellery, painting , tribal arts to match stick boxes made of tin. Named as cottage of Arts and jewels , Kusum As one of the founding members of Hauz Khas Village Market had opened the very first shop of antiquity in the HKV around 25 years ago. It was in the 1980s when designer boutiques of Bina Ramani and Rohit Bahl had opened. According to Kusum there were 7 show rooms of art and craft in Delhi then. She was born in Chandni Chowk , her grandfather Kishan Chand Goyal owned Minerva Cinema Hall from where she used to gather the movie posters.
Hers was a relatively advance family who allowed their daughter to pursue the designing course which then was not considered much coveted in those times but for Kusum this was what she wanted to be – A Designer.
She had this habit of collecting any item that evoked some interest in her. It was a rewarding visit that enriched me with some of the very Interesting facts as stated below :
– it was after Lagaan movie that French people developed interest in buying the Indian traditional jewellery and other antiques. Muzaffar Ali , an Indian film maker would visit the shop to find some inspiration for the stories to write.
– It was a tradition in Hindu Baniya family to bestow their daughters with Kheemkhaaf Lehenga which is passed from generations to generations.
-There was a time when Lata Mangeshkar was paid Re.5 for her singing.
– Has been interviewed by Grenanda in 1990 TV Broadcast. Cottage of arts and jewels also find a mention in Lonely Planet and German Guide Book.
– Vaclav Havel President of Czech Republic also paid a visit.
– Kusum has been the jewellery designer for Rekha and Bahl for their respective ramp shows in Delhi.
According to Kusum many foreigners patronise this shop , tourists from Europe, China,Switzerland , embassy diplomats also visit her to buy the displayed stuff. There are paintings and other cloth work which are on display but are not meant for sale. Though its a shop where you enter to buy what you might like but I appreciated her for the manner in which the antiques were kept with utmost care. According to Kusum ” not everything in this world has a price!” This is my proud possession , there are some rare items which I can not even think of selling, she said.
“But I must say you seem to be curious Hina, I mean what I have seen is no youngster is interested in knowing the past Indian culture which is extremely rich. It is of immense value to the present itself. You know my daughters are your age, I don’t remember any time or day when they would sit down and express their wish to enquire about this all. I lament to say that today’s young souls have never been interested in knowing and understanding this business of artefacts. I just can’t get them at times, don’t they feel an urge to ransack what all our ancestors have left behind? How royal it was to wear Zarbaft ( shuttle woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and with or without gold and silver threads) in those days which would surpass all of your today’s Brands, she added. ”
“You just cannot know everything through Wikipedia, one must search out for more interesting sources of information as their grandparents, they prove to be of much help. Since Elderly know a lot, they should be talked to, they need to be heard about the times and differences surfaced today. They are easily available but never contacted by their grand children this is a predicament.”
World is my muse 