From Fiona Caulfield, author of the Love India travel guide series:

“Aradhana Nagpal’s passion for craft began as a child attending a craft mela (fair) with her mother. Now, with an MA in Ancient Indian Culture, she works on publishing projects related to the field and, in 2003, she opened Dhoop. An evening conversation with friends resulted in the name. Ardhana explains it as ‘something Indian, something simple and something that is essential to every craft…Dhoop-Sunshine.’

Dhoops works with not-for-profit organizations and designers that partner with various artisan groups to support the craft skills of India like weaving, bamboo craft, cane, wood carving, hand-painting, pottery, incense making, embroidery, crochet and patchwork.” Open Mon-Sat 11am-8:15 pm.

From Fiona Caulfield, author of the Love India travel guide series:

“Hamilton studios was founded in 1928 and is the oldest operational studio in the city. Mr. Ranjit Madhavji fell in love with photography in 1957 and has been running this studio personally for the last 50 years…he has photographed gurus, judges, lords and ladies. A truly wonderful experience. Appointment necessary.”

From Fiona Caulfield, author of the Love India travel guide series:

“A chic shop full of elegant European and Indian homeware designs, mainly specializing in glass, ranging from the seriously sophisticated to fun and frothy, like the polka dotted espresso cups. Indian designers included the lovely Devi Design, who make candle stands in brass and uses the traditional Indian motif of the lotus in different forms and materials such as copper and silver. There is an increasing emphasis on Indian craft forms alongside hand-selected design objects from around the world. Owner Radhika Gupta is a Delhi-based jeweler designer and has curated a selection of beautiful objects for both the Delhi and Mumbai stores.” Open daily 10:30am-7:30pm.

From Fiona Caulfield, author of the Love India travel guide series:

“Phillips, established in 1860, is the oldest antique shop in the city and is fiercely proud of this long heritage. It is a beautiful store with a powerful aesthetic. This fourth-generation family concern is a collector’s paradise, the Issa family admitting that they are incorrigible collectors. You can find true magic in the store, ranging from French glasses to silver Chinese filigree dolls house furniture. An exhilarating shopping experience.

I am particularly excited by the growing emphasis on Indian tribal art and collectible craft and am looking forward to the new store that Phillips will open in 2008 focused on this.

Located in a laneway at the back of the Phillips main store, opposite the Sahakari Bhandar shop on the causeway and through the gate of the of the Oriental Mansion Phillips has converted their old “godown” warehouse into a specialist gallery and shop for reprints from their collection of lithographs, engravings, old maps and photographs from the 16th to 19th centuries. The earliest map in the collection dates back to 1560. The offering is thoughtful, with ready-made prints, framed limited editions and a service to reproduce the images to the size required. Excellent.” Open Mon to Sat, 10am-7pm.

From Fiona Caulfield, author of the Love India travel guide series:

“A friend in Malabar Hill was persuaded to part with the name of her “carpetwallah” who has been looking after her and her family for decades. Mr Kashmiri is from Srinigar and moved to Mumbai over 30 years ago. He is still working with his family based in the mountains, who have been in the carpet business for over 100 years. He is an absolute authority on carpets, selling Persian, Afghanistan and Indian, silk, wool and fabulous kilims.

He will come to you or arrange to meet you in his tiny, basic show room at home. Also ask to see his authentic Pashminas. They range from about Rs.700 to Rs.60,000 depending on the embroidery.”