Bring colour indoors

ANJALI VENKAT'S fascination with the 'tinkling, luminous, tender and clear' medium of glass started at the age of 10 when an uncle gifted her a Japanese kaleidoscope. "This childhood fascination turned into a reality when I visited some of the workshops held by artists working on stained glass, in Europe", says Anjali, whose husband is associated with the Merchant Navy. It was Captain Venkat who encouraged his wife to venture into the craft of authentic stained glass rather than pursue the easy imitations or look alike forms. The romance with light as it filters through glass has been an ancient preoccupation of artists.

As natural light gleams through coloured glass, it creates a kaleidoscopic effect that is eccentric and unpredictable, and allows for the creation of a subdued ambience which fascinates and soothes as well. The art and technique of 'stained glass' that was once used primarily in the construction of churches and cathedrals of Europe, has recently witnessed a renaissance, and we find panels and domes of 'stained glass' being increasingly incorporated by architects in their building designs.

From architecture, this art moved into the field of ornamentation and it is here that the contribution of Louis Comfort Tiffany is unforgettable. He applied the technique to mellow and subdue the glare of electric light and his name has become synonymous with all stained glass lamp shades which are popularly known as 'tiffany lamps'.

In Chennai, this craft is pursued by just a handful of artists in the orthodox style. Anjali is equally proficient in the art of Tanjore painting, painting on silk, terracotta designing and embroidering on paper besides stained glass painting. However, she claims, "Stained glass is my first love although the whole process is very laborious. It could prove to be really painful as well, because you are working with a fragile medium that breaks and cuts." That is evident from one look at Anjali's palms. "Working with glass cutters, pliers, grozing pliers, trimming knives and soldering irons needs concentration, care and physical strength as well. But the final effect is well worth the effort taken", says Anjali.

Anjali's creations are not the offshoot of mere commercial considerations. She designs home accessories keeping in mind the need of the client. Most of her lamps, fan lights, book-ends, table tops, room dividers and window panels are exclusive, and customised to suit the particular decor of the room. "These artefacts are meant to accentuate points of attention in a room. So, I like to visit the homes of clients and get the feel of the place before deciding on the tones, hues and glass textures to be used."

Accessories like sun-catchers, candle-stands and fan-lights are on sale at the Apparao Galleries at Khader Nawaz Khan Road. For personalised creations, one could contact her at Tel. 4917551. Her lamps and panels are expensive and she explains why. "I prefer to use coloured glass which is only available abroad as the colours are vibrant. Then again, only textured colour glass is made in India, and not the plain variety. The copper tape which is used to fuse the pieces into shape, has to be imported too. All this adds to the cost. That is why this is more of a hobby than a commercial venture. There are affordable alternatives, but I'd rather not indulge in them. I'd rather create something that gives me pleasure and satisfaction to the person who will own it."

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Section  : Features
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