Normally I write a post about interior design on Wednesdays when I can, but for this week’s Wednesday’s post, I would like to dedicate it to a hand-made paper and design company from Mumbai, India.
My friend invited me to her open house hosting Bombay Paperie from South Mumbai. When I first heard the name, I recalled seeing a blog post about Bombay Paperie somewhere last year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it and it felt as though I was dreaming about it. Anyways, I was excited to be able to actually see Bombay Paperie products in person!! I love paper!
Bombay Paperie keeps alive the traditional method of hand-made paper in India whose history goes back to the 17th century.
Neeta, Founder of Bombay Paperie
I had a pleasure to meet the founder behind the beautiful hand-made paper, Neeta. She was a very sweet lady who told me that she didn’t know that the expat community existed in North Mumbai. Since they don’t go to South Mumbai that often, she decided to come to North! I am so glad she did because I had a chance to buy her products!
Since the first impression I had when I saw the Bombay Paperie was that it looked similar to Japanese washi paper, I mentioned it to her and asked if she has visited Japan. Her answer to that was that she has experienced and learned how Japanese washi was made in Japan. They are both made by hands, but the fundamental difference between Bombay Paperie’s paper and Japanese washi is that Bombay Paperie’s paper is made of recycled cotton as opposed to tree or recycled paper for washi, thus the process is very different. Because it’s made of cotton, it’s stronger, too.
She also told me the challenges of keeping the traditions. Nowadays people seem to send notes and letters online. The number of people who actually use the snail mail or hand write letters keeps shrinking, thus the demand for paper is less. She cannot continue to do this business forever. Who is going to keep the tradition? I believe that every traditional and cultural heritage faces threats created by the modern society. I hope this beautiful paper will continue to flourish not only in India, but all over the world.
Bombay Paperie
63, Bombay Samachar Marg, Fort
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India 400 001
TEL: (+91)22-6635 8171 | 6635 8172
Email: contact@bombaypaperie.com
oh my…looove the geometric and traditional pattern 😀
It’s so hard to pick! Thank you for visiting my blog!
Kaho I got giddy just looking at all the beautiful paper. I especially love the gold and white ones – you know that those are my favourite colours! =)
I do!! They do look like something you would have!
The papers are so lovely! I especially like the thank you notes at the end. How sad to think that this might be a fading art.
I love their paper! I hope it will find someone to inherit this production!!