Let the Festivities Begin!

Today marks the official beginning of the festive season in this part of the world.

Dussehra is one of the most important festivals in India. Celebrated almost throughout the country albeit in different ways, it marks ten days of fasting or feasting (depending on which part of the country you come from), with a final celebration of good over evil on the tenth day.

In north India, the festive period begins with the ‘navratras’ when devotees worship the nine forms of the goddess. Special fasts are observed by the people and special foods are cooked during this period. This festival also commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana who, as told in the Ramayana, abducted his wife Sita and held her captive in his kingdom.

A batik representation of the ten-armed Goddess Durga on her lion

In the other parts, the same fervour can be seen over five days of celebrating Durga Puja, where the goddess Durga is worshipped for having slayed the demon Mahishasura. However, in these parts, instead of fasting the goddess is appeased by community feasting.

Isn’t that amazing? – two completely divergent ways of celebrating the same thing, even while being in the same country. This is truly unity in diversity!

Here’s wishing festive cheer and happiness to all my Indian readers, while the rest of you enjoy the festive season through my posts. :)

P.S. – Stay tuned for a fascinating story related to the Indian festival of Dussehra. Coming soon!

Tis’ A Time For Change

It is that time of the year again… when there is a nip the air

Large white clouds float across the blue skies making fascinating shapes

The chameli flowers (Indian jasmine) spread their sharp fragrance in the air

Photo from external source; click on photo for original source

...and the mornings become chilly.

Monsoon showers try to assert their weight in one last show of day-long showers before the autumn sets in.

Autumn in India means the advent of the festive season. The sales start in earnest as festive buying picks up. The Ravana-makers start making bamboo frames of the demon king. (I'll tell you more about this in a future post, promise!)

As the days become shorter, everyone starts counting days for the upcoming holidays.

And in this time of change, I have decided to bring about some alteration in my life. Yes, I am standing on the verge of another ending, or maybe… it will be a new beginning after all!

At the end of the month, I shall quit my well-paying full-time job for the sake of home, family, kids, and most importantly, for myself. My heart tells me that I owe my time more to my kids at this point in life than to some random software product. And I have chosen to hear the sayings of my heart...

Of course there are mixed feelings – slight trepidation for the financial setback (after all who doesn’t want money to raise two kids), but somehow the feeling of freedom and liberation is far greater. I feel more confident of finally leading the life I had always wanted - with my paints and brushes, and the attendant creative chaos. To me this is leading the charmed life, and I am so thankful to have a partner who not only understands but supports my decision.

What would you follow at the important junctures of life – your head or your heart? I have mostly followed my heart, and never regretted a moment for it!

Am leaving you with this lovely image of the fall colours that I saved from some e-mail forward. We don't get these in India but here's wishing all my readers all the beautiful hues in your life...

Autumn Visitor and Pansy Progress

We had a visitor this morning in our garden; I quite like its blue-black-yellow spots. Sorry about the picture quality though.... I was too scared to go too near and make it fly off! But clicking on the picture for a larger view may help. Does anyone know its name?

This week my artist friend Debbie has started work on the giveaway I won over at her blog Reflections of Debbie. The yellow pansy is coming up beautifully, and you can see her work in progress right here. I am keenly following this, Debbie, for the artist hidden deep within me loves to see the process of creation unravel in all its glory.

Hope all of you enjoy the creative process just as much.... and a little bit more! :)

Weekend Additions

Long time since I posted something… well, I have been busy. What with my daughter turning three and starting playschool, I’ve been on a whirlwind. But I did manage to catch a stationery fair over the weekend; you can read about that here.

And I bought some gorgeous kantha embroidered material for myself. See here to find out more about this amazing embroidery style.

I find the black one looks very elegant, and will look even better when stitched and worn as a kurta. Can you spot the peacocks in there?



And I love the traditional rural motifs on the white one.… aren't they sooooo lovely?

I find that some self-indulgence always boosts my spirits! :) How about yours?