Asian Paints: Taana Baana

Asian Paints has introduced an exquisite collection of wall textures — Taana Baana — inspired by Indian culture and handicrafts. Part of the Royale Play series, Taana Baana features Indian crafts and weaves which would invoke a myriad of emotions and memories. From charpais seen in traditional homes, to the ubiquitous wicker baskets used for fruits and flowers in, from grandma’s priceless ikkat saree to the bandhej dupatta in a bride’s trousseau… Taana Baana has recreated precious crafts to adorn the walls.

Taana Baana literally means warp and weft, which refers to the orientation of any woven fabric. They are the basic components of weaving, which turn thread to yarn, yarn to fabric, and fabric to lifestyles. The collection consists of eight elegant wall textures that are a tribute to the crafts passed on through generations of skilled artisans. The textures come to you in multiple shade combinations in metallic, and non-metallic variants.

Each texture derives its concept from a native craft that was popularised either by a state or a group of craftsmen. The ‘Charpai’ texture captures the criss-cross weave of the snugly woven charpoys found widely across North India. The ‘Palm Weave’ texture is inspired by the chevron weaves of the giant palm leaves along with India’s Western coastal states of Goa and Kerala.

The ‘Bandhej’ texture, as the name suggests, is inspired by its namesake ancient tie-dye form native to the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The ‘Basket’ texture comes from the northeastern states known for their distinctive cane and bamboo handicrafts, which are meticulously twisted and woven into furniture and artefacts. The ‘Madras Checks’ texture preserves the vintage of the timeless plaid weave, a staple in the Southern states of India.

The threadlike texture and natural asymmetry of the ‘Ikkat’ texture beautifully recreate the poetry of the loom brought to us from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Orissa. The ‘Pompom’ texture is inspired from the cool northern states of Ladakh, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand — it summons the cosiness and warmth of sitting by a fireplace on a winter evening. Like the untamed spirit of the silkworm, the ‘Tussar’ texture flows freely to bring luminosity and depth to large walls. It is as luxurious and breath-taking as the Tussar silk produced in the Eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Courtesy Asian Paints