formal wraps

White chrysanthemums blossom on a luxurious ivory wool shawl by Sajad. Created with fine machine embroidery, the motifs emulate India's traditional aari work, a kind of chain stitch.

Stars and flowers alternate in green and blue. Covering a silk shawl with beauty, the batik motifs are the creation of Yuni Kristina.

Extravagant birds of paradise flourish on a deep ginger shawl. Working in batik on silk, Yuni Kristina creates a wrap of dramatic beauty.

Thailand's Vinita relives classic fashion trends through a gorgeous rayon and silk blend shawl—soft to the touch. Using ancient artisanal techniques, Vinita decorates this hand-dyed piece with a stunning mint hue on a floral pattern.

Red and white lotus blossoms form a floral fantasy on tan silk. With its wide, contrasting borders and narrow fringe, this shawl by Yuni Kristina is a beautiful example of Javanese batik art.

Each motif is created by hand, as evidenced by the occasional pencil mark or slight color variations.

Under an idyllic tree dotted with abundant songbirds, Radha and her Gopies lounge in an enchanted garden of energy. As she plays the flute to celebrate love and compassion on Earth, she holds out her other hand for a songbird keen earn her motherly affection. Worshipped as the Supreme Goddess and source of all energy, the revered deity visibly occupies the foreground of 'Glorious Radha', appearing the closest to the angle of perspective while flanked by her admiring Gopies. A continuous fabric of nature wraps around the Gopies, signifying their eternal blissful love. One Gopi holds out a sacred lotus flower for Radha, symbolizing her role as the womb and origin of Gopies, love and energy. Artist Bharti Dayal creates this divine scene in the Madhubani Style to highlight the significance of Radha in Hindu society, without deviating from the pure nature of her existence. Solid hues and flowing shapes form the composition of this painting, creating blissful emotion proper of a deity.

"Madhubani paintings are in fact a simplistic manifestation of the philosophical heights achieved by Indian civilization for the universal power of love, longing and peace; the quest of all beings," Dayal says.