Whispers of the desert: Jaipur Rugs and Bodour Al Qasimi unveil tribute to Sharjah’s ancient landscapes

Debuting at Tanweer Festival, the collection celebrates the cultural and heritage legacy

Last updated:
Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor
2 MIN READ
This collection is a vision inspired by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. Rooted in her profound passion for history, craftsmanship, and storytelling,
This collection is a vision inspired by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. Rooted in her profound passion for history, craftsmanship, and storytelling,
Supplied

Dubai: Jaipur Rugs, one of the world’s most respected names in handwoven luxury, has unveiled “Whispers of the Desert,” a striking new collection created in collaboration with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. The collection, comprising six handcrafted carpets, made its debut at the Tanweer Festival, a celebration dedicated to the cultural, natural and historical richness of the region.

Rooted in the ancient landscapes of Mleiha and the rugged terrain of Faya, the collection invites viewers on a contemplative journey through time. Each rug acts as a living archive, capturing the rustle of desert winds, the contours of rocky outcrops, and echoes of caves, forts and forgotten palaces shaped over thousands of years. The motifs reflect dawn glimmering over mountain ridges, the movement of sunlight across sand and stone, and the stillness of star-filled desert nights.

Guided by the artistic vision of Sheikha Bodour, the collection pays tribute to Sharjah’s enduring heritage and the powerful dialogue between land, culture and memory. More than decorative pieces, these carpets serve as vessels of storytelling—tactile tributes to nature’s rhythm, human resilience and the timeless spirit of the desert.

Each carpet becomes a tactile memorial, an homage to nature’s rhythms, humanity’s endurance, and the subtle interplay of stories carried across generations.

Devadasan K P
Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor
Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.

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