• Picture Books
  • Editorial
  • Blog
  • SIRINA RUBY
  • About
  • Contact
SIRIN THADA | Art + Illustration | NYC
  • Picture Books
  • Editorial
  • Blog
  • SIRINA RUBY
  • About
  • Contact

Bagru Prints

Woman doing block printing at Bagru village, Jaipur, India.

NYC summers can be quite sticky and oppressive—and on those days, I pretty much live in my cotton block print dresses from India.

I particularly love Bagru prints. They were granted a Geographical Indication tag from the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization in 2024, which officially recognizes their local heritage and unique characteristics. The dyes used are derived from natural sources like plants and minerals: true indigo for blue, madder root for red, and iron filings for black.

Artisans use hand-carved blocks to apply the dye directly to fabric, and they also use resist techniques—for which Bagru is especially known. This "Dabu" method is a mud-resist process, where the wooden blocks are dipped into a paste of clay, gum, and wheat powder, and pressed onto the fabric. The paste prevents the dye from penetrating, creating a pattern when the fabric is dyed. 

A kaftan I own, featuring a Bagru print using Dabu resist method.

tags: bagru, block print, woodblock, dabu
categories: June 2025
Monday 06.30.25
Posted by sirin thada
 

Gau Boxes and Buddhist Amulets

A Tibetan gau box, from my own personal collection.

Tibetan gau are small, portable shrines, containing holy items such as amulets, miniature statues, written mantras, and anything else with a sacred connection. It is said the tradition of gau date back to the 7th century, when Buddhism was introduced to Tibet. Tibetan soldiers often wore them for protection in battle, and both monks and laypeople also used them for spiritual protection and healing. They are also spectacular miniature works of art, made of metal, wood, bone, or stone, and decorated with intricate designs. More beautiful examples and information here:

Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Bowers Museum
Enlightenment Thangka

It’s not a surprise I find these little shrines so captivating—as a child, I was fascinated by my dad’s collection of Thai Buddhist amulets. He had maybe seven different ones that were strung on a heavy silver chain, that he wore around his neck every day for protection. Some of the amulets were pressed bronze, some were carved stone figures encased in glass. Hopefully I’ll sneak some photos next time I visit… Or, if you’re in Bangkok, you can always visit the famous Amulet Market and see them yourself!

Examples of some Buddhist amulets.

tags: buddhism, amulets, gau, ghau
categories: June 2025
Monday 06.23.25
Posted by sirin thada
 

Kantha Quilts

I love all manner of quilts, but kantha quilts of South Asia are among my favorites.

Rather than throwing out old worn saris, they are given new life as bedspreads simply by stitching them together, layer upon layer. This is usually done by hand, with a basic running stitch, which gives them an imperfect, organic quality. I love how the cloth gets worn in between the stitches over the years—it’s the kind of process that only Time and Use can do so well.

And if a hole starts to develop? Just stitch in a small patch. The blanket is just such a rich, beautiful canvas of textures and colors, filled with so many little stories.



tags: kantha, quilts
categories: June 2025
Monday 06.16.25
Posted by sirin thada
 

Yantras

Yantras are sacred geometrical diagrams, with origins in India. As their usage spread into Thailand, they became integrated into Buddhist spiritual practice as well, incorporating Thai prayers, symbols and mantras. They can be drawn on any surface, and, honestly, Thai yantra tattoos deserve an entire post to themselves! But for more on the meaning behind specific Thai Buddhist symbols, this article is a fantastic resource.

Buddhist yantra my parents gave to me (in a handmade frame I bought from a shopkeeper in Lausanne, Switzerland!)

I’m particularly smitten with the yantras that are pressed into thin metal sheets. As someone who is obsessed with beautiful tin nichos, and old pressed tin ceilings, it’s not surprising I find these metal yantras just as aesthetically alluring.

Source: Ranjithsiji

tags: yantra, buddhism, thailand
categories: June 2025
Monday 06.09.25
Posted by sirin thada
 

Humble Snips and Tiny Lines

Sketch of my little brother, Guy Thada, getting his hair cut by the community as he prepares for his Buat Nak.

I was hoping to get this entry done in time for AAPI month, but a higher than usual amount of travel, and extroverting, has left me playing catch up on my schedule.

Last weekend, my brother did his buat nak at Wat Thai D.C., and lived there for a whole week. It’s a Thai tradition where sons enter monkhood for a short period, to study the Buddha’s teachings and practice monastic life. Some do it for a few days, others for a few months–but whatever the duration, it’s considered a very blessed occasion, and the ultimate expression of gratitude to your parents.

Part of the ceremony involves getting your head shaved. With an electric razor, it would only take a matter of minutes–but instead, the act becomes a slow, meditative ceremony unto itself. The main abbot does the first few snips with a pair of scissors, as the rest of the abbots and monks line up for their turn. One snip of hair, and the scissors are passed on. Then, family and all other attendees are invited to take part, each taking a snip. It’s only after everyone has had a turn, that the electric shaver comes out.

His Holiness Luang Ta Chi of Wat Thai D.C., doing the first snips.

It’s a highly inefficient way to get a haircut, but a lovely reminder that in this instance, it’s all about the process, and the community sharing in the joy and gratitude of the ceremony. It really struck a chord within me.

Getting back to NYC, and inspired by all this, I wanted to work on a little something just for me. Just like the humble single snip of hair, I pared everything back to just a short line. And repeated them over and over, to create something greater. Some lines are painted with a brush, some with colored pencil; some are lighter, some are darker. But they are all just single, short strokes… Drawn line after line after line.

Highly inefficient, but full of intention and mindfulness.

Watercolor and colored pencil on paper, 9.5” x 9.5”

tags: sketch, buddhism, art
categories: June 2025
Monday 06.02.25
Posted by sirin thada