Cell phone # +91-94114-61601 - This is our contact phone number in India from December 29, 2010 to January 11, 2011. Contact Email in India: indiatraveller@gmail.com
STUDENT’S COMMENTS :
“This was an exceptional tour through the plains of Bihar from Patna all the way up into the rural village of Madhubani to visit the Mithila School of Art. It was a fully immersive art tour especially tailored for advanced art students and art lovers alike. At the time of the visit, we were the 1st large group of Western visitors to the area! We had the privilege of speaking with well-known Mithila artists such as Dulari Devi and Santosh Kumar Das.
Both instructors and students of the Mithila Art Institute were welcoming and generous in sharing about their art. Along the way to Madhubani, we visited famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites and stupas at Vaishali. Later we flew to Khajurajho to see the famous temples and sculptures and we stopped at several art museums throughout our trip starting from Craft Museum in New Delhi and the Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library in Patna where the Director took out ancient manuscripts and miniature paintings from the library archives. My love and admiration of Indian art truly blossomed on this study tour!”
- SKY SWEET
The experience I had traveling and studying in India was eye opening and life changing. The opportunity to experience what I experienced was a true gift, and I will appreciate it for my entire life. I learned so much about the history and the culture of India, and how it’s transferred to everything they do, including their art. The art of Madhubani was so inspiring and life changing and also very unique as the artists put their best effort into their art. One afternoon we were able to try our hand at the art. We were each given about two lessons by the students on how to create some borders with designs in them using Mithila art design elements. I was taught how to create a geometric pattern, a fish pattern, and a flower pattern. We used a quill pen and black ink, which I have used in the past in illustration class, so the tools were familiar to me. It was hard for me to draw free hand without penciling the design out before hand, but I did the best I could and it turned out well. Everything is done free hand, there is no sketching beforehand, which is the opposite from what I have learned in my own art classes. Even though we wanted to stay longer, we had to leave as the sun went down because there were no lights in the room. The most important thing that I learned from this workshop was to slow down and be more focused on what I was doing, rather than to rush and get the work done so that I could go on to the next element. I wanted to express once again that I really enjoyed going on the India trip and I will always remember it.
- Alysha K., student participant in Fresno State Study Tour 2010
We had such a great trip, full of wonderful memories and beautiful images. Thanks so much to you.
- Mike & Jamie B., Fresno State Art History Student (now a Professor of Art History) and her husband
Since we were visiting the weavers of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, I chose to use this as my starting point as there are many textile traditions in India that fascinate me. Our itinerary had us spending a little time in a Varanasi weaving factory, so it seemed prudent and efficient to keep my interest focused here. Once arriving in India, however, it was challenging to keep focus honed on Varanasi weaving as the Taj Mahal, and the incredible amount of craftsmanship and artistry, was nothing short of amazing! There is no recorded imagery that can replace the light that eyes experience with semi-precious stone and marble.
- Rhonda K., Student participant in Fresno State Study Tour
Fresno State INDIA- Madhubani Art Workshop Study Tour December 27,2010 to January 12,2011
ITINERARY :
Monday, December 27, 2010, 1.30 AM Fresno - Los Angeles:
Driving directions going east on Shaw Avenue, turn left (north) on Woodrow and left on Matoian, take frontage road of Lot A (east of Conley Art Building). Board the bus between 1.30 and 2 AM. Depart for Los Angeles Airport at 2 AM. (Extra time is scheduled in case there is fog on the road to airport). Arrive in Los Angeles Airport at 7.00 AM. Emirates Airlines Flight # EK218 departing at 10.00 AM.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010, Dubai - New Delhi:
Arrival in Dubai airport at 1.50 PM. Departure with Emirates Airlines flight # EK514 at 3.35 PM and arrival in New Delhi at 8.10 PM. Transfer to and overnight in Ashok Country Resort (a 4-star hotel about 10 minutes drive from international airport), 30, Rajokri Road, Kapashera, New Delhi- 110 037, India. Phone: +91 11 2506 4590 to 99, 25063195, 25063295. Fax: +91 11 25063 054. Email: sahnihtl@del2.vsnl.net.in.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010, New Delhi - Patna:
After breakfast drive past Red Fort for sightseeing of Old Delhi City built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (Shahjahanabad), Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chawk Bazaar. Lunch at a city restaurant. Later visit the Crafts Museum near Old Fort of Delhi and Qutub Minar. At 3 PM arrive in domestic airport in New Delhi to board the GoAir flight departing at 4.10 PM and arrive in Patna at 5.30 PM. Transfer to Ashok Patliputra Hotel (a 4-star hotel) for dinner and overnight. Hotel contact information: Beerchand Patel Path, Patna - 800 001, Bihar, India. Telephones: + 91-612-250-5270 to 76, Emails: info@ashokpatna.com and ashokhotel@gmail.com.
Thursday, December 30, 2010, Patna - Madhubani Region:
After breakfast drive to Vaishali with packed lunch, the place where Lord Buddha forecast his approaching Mahaparinivana (demise). He traveled to Kusinagar in eastern Uttar Pradesh and passed away there. After sightseeing drive further to Madhubani region with a stop to visit a Saraswati Goddess Sculpture Studio in West Chamaran District. Lunch will be served in boxes on the bus during the drive after leaving Vaishali. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Madhuyamini Inn in Madhubani. Hotel Owner: Ashok Jha, telephone number: +91-627-622-760; Cell Phone numbers: +91-98010-19032 and +91-98110-29656, Email: madhuyamini.inn@gmail.com.
Friday, December 31, 2010, Madhubani - 2 Half-Day Art Workshops in Mithila Art Institute:
After breakfast drive about 2 miles to Mithila Art Institute for two half day (9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM) Art Workshops with faculty and students of the Mithila Art Institute. The group will be driving back to Madhuyamini Inn for lunch. Dinner and overnight at Madhuyamini Inn.
Saturday, January 1, 2011, Madhubani Villages Tour in morning and afternoon:
After breakfast drive to villages to visit the home studios of artists. After lunch another excursion to the villages for meeting with local artists. Dinner and overnight at Madhuyamini Inn.
Sunday, January 2, 2011, Madhubani - AM - Art Workshop; PM - Excursion to Darbhanga:
After breakfast drive to Mithila Art Institute for an Art Workshop from 9 AM to 1 PM with faculty and students of the Mithila Art Institute. After lunch drive to explore Darbhanga and watch a Bollywood movie in Darbhanga. Dinner and overnight at Madhuyamini Inn.
Monday, January 3, 2011, Madhubani - AM - Art Workshop; PM - Villages' excursion:
After breakfast drive to Mithila Art Institute. From 9 AM to 1 PM Art Workshop at Mithila Art Institute. From 12 noon to 1 PM Joan will give a brief presentation on interaction of color and light for the benefit of faculty and students of Mithila Art Institute. At 2 PM drive to nearby small town to for a viewing of Bollywood movie in a local cinema hall. Dinner and overnight in Madhuyamini Inn.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011, Madhubani - AM - Art Workshop; PM - Villages' excursion:
After breakfast drive to Mithila Art Institute for an Art Workshop with the faculty and students of the institute from 9 AM to 2 PM. After lunch village excursion from 2 PM to 6 PM. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Madhuyamini Inn.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 Madhubani Region - Patna:
Early breakfast at 6.30 AM and departure from Madhubani at 7 AM with packed lunch. Lunch will be served during the drive from Madhubani to Patna. Arrive at 2 PM at Khudabaksh Oriental Library and later visit the Patna Museum. Ancient manuscripts and miniature paintings will be exhibited exclusively to our group. Normally these ancient artifacts are not on display to public. Dinner and overnight in Ashok Patliputra Hotel (a 4-star hotel). Hotel contact information: Beerchand Patel Path, Patna - 800 001, Bihar, India. Telephones: + 91-612-250-5270 to 76, Emails: info@ashokpatna.com and ashokhotel@gmail.com.
Thursday, January 6, 2011, Patna - Varanasi:
After breakfast visit Kumrahar Archaeological site and Guru Gobind Singh's birthplace. Depart from Patna at 11 AM to arrive in Varanasi at 5 PM. Packed lunch will be served on the bus ride to Varanasi. Check-in Ideal Tower Hotel for early dinner. At 6.15 PM drive to Ganga River Ghat to witness the Ganga Aartee ceremony Overnight in Ideal Tower Hotel (a 4-star hotel), the Mall, Cantt., Varanasi.
Friday, January 7, 2011, Varanasi:
Early morning boat ride on Ganga River to view the Hindu pilgrim rituals on the Ghats at sunrise. Later visit the Hanuman Temple and the Bharat Kala Bhavan Art Museum in Banaras Hindu University campus. PM: visit the birthplace of Buddhist religion - Sarnath. Gautam Buddha preached his first sermon in Sarnath to start the Dharmachakra more than 2500 years ago. Dinner and Overnight in Ideal Tower Hotel (a 4-star hotel).
Saturday, January 8, 2011, Varanasi - Khajuraho:
After breakfast transfer to airport at 10.30 AM to board the flight at 12.20 PM to arrive in Khajuraho at 12.55 PM. Check-in and lunch at Usha Bundela Hotel. Later sightseeing of Hindu and Jain group of temples dating from 10th to 12th centuries. Dinner and overnight in Usha Bundela Hotel (a 4-star hotel), Temple Road, Khajuraho - 471606, MP, India, Telephones: +91-7686-272386/7, Email: reservations@ushalexushotels.com.
Sunday, January 9, 2011, Khajuraho - Orchha - Agra:
After breakfast drive to Orchha at 9.30 AM to arrive there at 12.30 PM. After lunch at Orchha Resort visit the medieval Fort and the two Hindu temples of this quaint Hindu pilgrimage village. Later board the train at 5 PM in Jhansi Train Station to arrive in Agra at 8 PM. Transfer to Hotel Taj Resort, just 300 yards from the world famous Taj Mahal. Dinner and Overnight in Hotel Taj Resorts (a 4-star hotel), Plot No. 538, Near Shilp Gram, Taj Mahal East Gate, Agra-282001, UP, India; Cell Phone # +91-98993-13111; +91- 98110-24064 and +91-78300-50001; Email: info@hoteltajresorts.com. This hotel is 300 yards from east gate of the Taj Mahal.
Monday, January 10, 2011, Agra:
Early morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal at Sunrise. Ample time to explore the vast complex. After breakfast demonstration of Pietra-Dure inlay art and jewelry demonstration. In the afternoon sightseeing of Mughal Emperor Akbar's Red Fort of Agra. Overnight in Hotel Taj Resorts.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011, Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - New Delhi:
After breakfast drive at 8 AM to Emperor Akbar's deserted capital Fatehpur Sikri. At 10.30 AM drive 4 hours to India Gate monument in New Delhi. Later drive past Parliament House, Prime Minister's office and President's mansion. Farewell Tea Party between 4 and 5 PM at Ashok Country Resort, (near 30, Rajokri Road, Kapashera, New Delhi- 110 037, India. Phone: +91 11 2506 4590 to 99, 25063195, 25063295. Fax: +91 11 25063 054. Email: sahnihtl@del2.vsnl.net.in) before transfer for boarding the flight to USA. Arrive for check-in at Indira Gandhi Int'l Airport at 5.35 PM. Depart with Emirates Airlines flight # EK515 at 8.35 PM. Arrive in Dubai at 10.55 PM.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011, New Delhi - Los Angeles - Fresno State Parking Lot:
Depart with Emirates Airlines flight # EK217 at 3.15 AM and arrive in Los Angeles Airport at 7.45 AM. Bus would leave from Los Angeles Airport between 8.45 and 9 AM to arrive at Fresno State Parking Lot A (east of Conley Art Building) at about 1 PM.
