The Royal Wedding

On April 29, 2011, the entire world witnessed the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminister Abbey in London.  The wedding was also viewed online by millions of people around the world. Much of the attention was focused on Ms.Middleton status as commoner which means she is not of a royal blood or aristocracy. She is first commoner to marry a prince in close proximity to the throne in more than 350 years.

Catherine was wearing a white bridal gown, designed by British Designer Sarah Burton and the Prince himself was in the uniform of his honorary rank of Colonel of the Irish Guards.

The Queen granted Prince William the titles of Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus . It was a public holiday in Great Britain. 

Prince Williams & Catherine Middleton

The Royal Family

Images : Britishmonarchy

In the Land of Puppets

Recently had gone to Udaipur also referred as “Venice of the East”, “Kashmir of Rajasthan”  Udaipur is known for its Temples, Musuems, Lakes, Havelis. Will write a separate post on the visit to Udaipur.   In this post I will write about Puppets, one of the attractions of Udaipur.

Puppets are artificial figures whose movements are controlled by a person. They are inanimate objects that are manipulated so as to appear to be moving. The person who operates them is called a puppeteer. Puppets are moved by hand or by strings, wires, or rods. Puppets appear as characters in plays called puppet shows.

 

Almost all types of puppets are found in India. Puppetry throughout the ages has held an important place in traditional entertainment. Like traditional theatre, themes for puppet theatre are mostly based on epics and legends. Puppets from different parts of the country have their own identity. Regional styles of painting and sculpture are reflected in them.

The String puppet in Rajasthan are called as Kathputlis. The Typical Rajasthani Katputli has a brightly painted face and a rough torso. Appropriate brightly coloured male and female costumes are fashioned by the puppeteers themselves from patches of old cloth.

The costumes are regional and traditional while the themes that are performed revolve around Rajasthani historical tales or local legends. A few characters and items like the court dancer, stunt horse rider, and snake charmer, are a must.

In Bagore-ki-Haveli, there is a big hall only dedicated for puppets...

 

Images : Personal Album

Cultural Crossovers

Celebrations connected with the harvest seasons have had a cultural importance since time immemorial. Be it the North-East, the Western plateau, or South India, the merriment have been instrumental in keeping the  community deeply connected to its roots. That and more, is the story of the festival of Baisakhi. 

Baisakhi

Baisakhi Festival marks the time for harvest of rabi crops and they celebrate the day by performing joyful bhangra and gidda dance. In Punjab, the yellow colour is worn by both men and women as it symbolizes fertility. 

For the Sikh community, Baisakhi has a very special meaning. It was on this day that their tenth and last Guru - Guru Gobind Singh - organized the Sikhs into Khalsa or the 'pure ones'. By doing so, he eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings are equal.

The harvest festival is a method for people to not only celebrate a good crop yield, but also to thank God for having blessed the land. And since we are talking about Punjabis, who are by nature fun-loving people, the phrase 'the more, the merrier' certainly holds true for the festival.

The auspicious date of Baisakhi is celebrated all over India under different names and different set of rituals and celebrations. Baisakhi date coincides with 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala.

 
Puthandu

This is new year according to Tamil calendar. In Tamil Nadu, people follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view Kanni at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. People start the day by watching some auspicious items like gold and silver jewelery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. Following the rituals, Tamilsiams take bath, wear fresh clothes and visit the temples to pray for success in life. After this, Panchangam (almanac) is read.

 

\

 Rongali Bihu

Rongali Bihu is the new year of Assamese. The new year starts with the month 'Bohag'. This is the reason why Rongali Bihu is also called 'Bohag Bihu'. The word 'Rongali' is derived from 'Rong' which means Happiness and celebrations. So this festival represent happiness of the society. All the  Bihu festivals of Assam are related to harvesting. Rongali bihu falls in a period when the there is no work for the cultivators but still there is enough in the store to enjoy. Being a agriculture based state, Assam, has always marked this Bihu as the symbol of joy. This also biggest the festival in Assam and celebrated in every corner of the state. 

Bihu is the biggest festival of the people of the Assam region. This is truly a regional festival, which brings a sense of solidarity and unity among the people of the Assam region. It comes thrice a year and marks the changes in the seasons.

S

 

                                                    The famous Bihu Dance

 

Subho Nabavarsha
 

Nababarsha is the first day of New Year for Bengalis. Nababarsha is the first day of Baisakh month. On Nababarsha, women draw colourful Rangolis or alpanas infront of the house. They put a kalash in the center of Rangoli which is filled with water and decorated with mango leaves.

Nababarsha celebrations starts with Prabhat Pheris early in the morning. For Prabhat Pheris people wears traditional dresses as women dressed themselves in White Saree with red border while men wears Dhoti Kurta. People wish each othery saying “Shubho Nabo Barsho !!”. Various cultural activities of dance, songs, poems are organized in various parts to celebrate Nababarsha. People participate in this activities joyfully. People visits houses of friends and relatives for wishing  them on Nababarsha.

Vishu 

Vishu is a Malayalum festival held in the state of Kerala on the first day in the Malayalum month of Medam (April-May). Festival of Vishu is also known as the Malayalum New Year day and thus it becomes all the more important for the Malayalees regardless of their religion or sect. Vishu is considered to be a day of feasting,

Home Decor with hand painted tiles

When we shifted to our apartment almost one and half years back, I found few tiles in the balcony. While cleaning, I was about to throw them, but on second thoughts I kept them for crafting. And I thought of painting these tiles. 

One can use these to decorate these in living room or any room. I used these hand painted tiles in my bathroom… gives a very different look…

Good bye till next post.

Happy Crafting....

Images : Personal Album

Ram Navami wishes

Wishing all fellow bloggers Happy Ram Navmi...

Ram Navami is celebrated with immense zeal and enthusiasm all over India. This festival is celebrated in order to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth.

Snapshots - National Handicrafts & Handloom Expo - 2011

National Handicrafts & Handloom Expo - Art & Craft Exhibition cum sale started from March 31, 2011. Art exhibitions are my weekness. There is so much of creativity everywhere. I definitely get lots of ideas from these craft exhibitions. So all of you who  love to see & buy creative stuff, do take out some time to go there! 

Venue : Bandra Reclamation Ground No 1., Opp Lilavati Hospital, Bandra (W), Mumbai.

Sharing some glimpses of the wonderful exhibition. Enjoy...

Lord Ganesha.

Amazing Terracotta stuff. I just could not resist these stuff. Picked up ilittle elephant shaped table and a flower pot. Looks beautiful in my living room.

 

 Check out these beautiful Ceramic crockery. 

 The Exquisite art of Wood carving from Andhara Pradesh

 Lord Shiva.

These designer cusion covers are beautified with various designs and patterns and the vibrant colours that you are consfued which one to buy...

 Dry/ artificial foliage...

Shantiniketan Bags are environment friendly  bags and are beautifully crafted by the team of well versed makers. Eye pleasing colors and scintillating designs are used to adorn these bags.  All  bags come in flawless finish that exhibit the appreciable craftsmanship of Kolkata...

 

Warli Painting / Mural & Canvas paiting of Orrisa

Junkies...

Beautiful Flower Vase...

Italian Marble Temples...

Madhubani Painting of Bihar

Glass work...

Antic Watches...

Bhadohi handmade carpets...

Jaipuri Mojris / chappals...

Antic furnitures...

And finally these lovelies... they leave me spell bound.

Images: Personal Album

Sunset

The warmth of the rays disappearing slowly, bringing the calmness in the air,

The nature changing its color from orange, yellow, purple, pink

The birds flying to their nest, to be around with their family,

Feels like diving in the serenity of the divine nature….

Happy Gudi Padwa!!!

Wishing all Happy Gudi Padwa and Ugadi. 

Gudi Padwa & Ugadi marks the beginning of New Year in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. This festival is known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.