Sleepy hollow

Chhokar,a programme director with Centre for Environmental Education,started collecting owls in 1991 and today has the likeness of the bird made from various materials — cork,coal,beads,nuts and wood.

“What excites me is how people create this bird in myriad shapes and sizes with various metals,crystals,china,seeds of fruits and even tiger’s eye,” she says.

Chhokar was not always this obsessed with the bird. She had bought the first three pieces for a friend who liked collecting owls but couldn’t meet her. In the months that the owls lay in Chhokar’s house,she gradually developed a liking for them which then turned to a passion.

Chhokar,who loves to travel,has lately grown superstitious about getting an owl from every place she visits. She says,“I have developed this strange fear that if I stop buying owls,my trips will also come to an end.”

Chhokar has travelled the world and has owls from Zimbabwe,Japan,China,Columbia and Brazil. Her favourite is a round blue owl she bought in Singapore. She also has owl figures made from silver and gold and even owns owl pendants.

An owl painting from China which she watched being made is also a part of her collection.

“I only do this for my own pleasure,” says Chhokar who takes a keen interest in myths and legends surrounding owls. “It is amazing how stories about owls are popular across cultures,” says Chhokar who intends to write a book on owls soon.