Friday, October 24, 2014

Let there be light

Dazzled, bejeweled, came the night of Deepavali. It comes every year and this year was no exception to its beauty. Though, for us, Bengalis, it is a celebration just for a night that we call Kali Pujo, while the rest of the country celebrates it with a much greater grandeur. Preparations start well in advance; the spring cleaning of the homes, the shopping list is made for new clothes, gifts, diyas, sweets and fireworks in some homes. I love to see and experience all these. It's a happy feeling that sets in; a mood that soaks in all these frenzied and exciting moments. Like I said earlier, we Bengalis do not celebrate this beyond a day and our celebrations centre more on the very special puja on the day of Kali Puja. We invoke Goddess Kali and worship her. I remember how in earlier times, we used to have animal sacrifice on this special day. Now of course, this gory tradition has given way to a more sober tradition of gourd sacrifice. I have seen my mother, grandmothers and other senior members of the family keeping a fast and breaking it only after the puja at midnight. That was a unique feeling, very difficult to express. The heady smell of the dhoop or incense sticks, the flickering lights from the deepas, the blood-red hibiscus garlands around Ma Kali as she stood looking resplendent in her form, those very expressive eyes of hers seemed to be taking in all, blessing the good and punishing the evil; we were so enamoured by the very presence of the idol, muttering our prayers with closed eyes and trying to be as respectful as possible! That was the story of our childhood days during Kali Puja. Now, things have changed quite a lot. We,too, have been drawn into the celebration mode, adapting to the new traditions and rituals of Diwali as we see it around us. And this,too, feels good. After all, festivities do make life happier. So off I start with my cleaning, trying to give the home a new look and dress her up in the newest of outfits in the form of new curtains, new cushion covers, rugs and mats. A bit of shopping for some new home accessories to display on the special day; not that it's needed but more for the fun and happy element that surrounds our festivals. I made a few trips to the local fancy stores selling clay diyas trying to spot some interesting pieces. During these trips, what I loved most was the excitement of the people as they very carefully chose the pieces they wanted to take home; the way they bargained with the vendors; and finally their triumphant looks when they did manage to convince the shopkeeper and get their loot at their decided price! All this exchange of conversation really intrigued me, a person too poor in these skills!  
The festive season has its own charm. I love the energy and the mood this season brings in with it. Not just our indoors,even the outdoors seem to be dressed up with lights, making the places come alive with so much beauty. There is movement everywhere and I find this extremely positive. I love to see the heaps of flowers all over the pavements in tiny makeshift stalls. The yellow marigolds and chrysanthemums and mallige ( local name for jasmine), tiny button roses in bold colours; they all make such a pretty sight! 
The best part is the different kinds of sweets we get at this time. We,at home, have become conscious eaters these days. So, we 'see' the sweets at the sweet shops but rarely indulge in them. I made our special Bengali rice payesh which people at home just devoured. After all what is a festival without sweets! The decoration at home was toned to some extent. To get away from the extreme noise created by crackers, we took off to the quieter hills, making sure to return back on the D day to light up our home. 
On a more sober note I would like to wish and pray for a more enlightened 'us'; the lights should light up not just our homes but also light up our minds, remove all darkness that maybe there in the minds and illuminate us. These are a few of the shots taken at home and some clicked at the local shops selling flowers and diyas. Wishing all of you a very happy Diwali and praying that your lives be filled with happiness,peace,prosperity and good health.
a terracotta Ganesha lamp and some of those bright yellow marigolds....they make a beautiful combination..... 
Ma Kali in her resplendent form....I could only manage this brass figurine.....
Ma as she stands in all her glory......
another arrangement with some clay diyas, Marigolds and glistening brass....
I loved this stylish Ganesha diya........and here is an arrangement with some Chrysanthemums and button roses....
Let there be light.........
Love the imperfect rustic touch to these diyas.....
Isn't this pretty? The light shines through the jaaliwork weaving magic......
Time for some 'mishti mukh' :-)....some Bengali kheer or payesh as we call it....
Shine on...........
The roadside makeshift stalls with their wares....
The choices are plenty......
Look at these! So pretty,aren't ,they?
the colourful torans.....cloth ones instead of the mango leaves......
delicate patterns.....
A terracotta cup used as a diya.......

Monday, October 20, 2014

The blue expanse

I had composed this post a few days ago, on a day that had dawned bright and sunny. But today when I plan to post this, the day looks just the opposite. It is dull, grey and gloomy. The fleeting rays of the sun seem to be playing hide and seek from behind the grey. And with the festivities just round the corner, this is the most imperfect weather. The chill has settled in with that dampness all around. On such a day, I cannot help feel the importance of the sunny side of the weather. With the hope of those sparkling days ahead, I ,leave you to virtually enjoy some sunshine,some brightness and cheer and some gorgeous blue:-D....

 This morning dawned as usual but came along with a bright and beautiful look. The sky seemed to be an expanse of clear blue,a blue that shone and glistened and sparkled accompanied by white. This was the azure I had learnt about as a child in school. All those of us who live in Bangalore would know it well how our sky is most often clad in a greyish drape with a lack lustre brightness. We love to call it our very own English weather. But this morning's sunshine seemed to wash clean any signs of gloomy grey and brightened up every corner of the city. The blue and white made a perfect combination and drove away the grey monster far and completely out of sight! I loved the day as it loomed ahead of me,promising me of all things positive and happy. A bright and sunny day can bring in so much of cheer. I ventured out on a new path this morning and the day seemed to greet me whole heartedly. It seemed to be signalling that 'go ahead'. The morning with its clear blue sky heralded our much awaited four day long celebrations....Durga Puja,Dussehra,Navaratri,call it whatever you would want to. The festive spirit seemed to encompass the lovely blue of the sky. Light white clouds flitted across the blue expanse,making the blue more prominent among the whiteness of the clouds. This was the weather we are so familiar with during this festive  time. I could not help trying to capture this beautiful blue from various angles and places. Have a look at the massive expanse that I tried capturing with my cellphone.
    


a piece of  blue and green with a dash of pink;Isn't this beautiful?
Just learnt to put in my name:-)....look at those gorgeous clouds! What a lovely play of colours! The city skyline behind makes a pretty picture.....


                                
                               
And this is my favourite ! Simply cannot have enough of the azure sky!


                             

a random click from a friend's balcony; the blue expanse in a grey drape!

                             
      Framed;from inside the metro compartment 

                                  And hold your breath while you see this!


                                 Grey and blue does make a combination,isn't it?


                                 Another of my favourite shots!