Thursday, November 17, 2005

Sayla

We were supposed to leave for Sayla at 9.30 am, or so it had been decided. Of course 9.30 am came and went, and eventually my ride came at 11.00. I was going to be in the car with Inderjit and Chirag, while Amit, Jyoti, her sister Jagruti and their friend Anjali were traveling in the other car.

We left, made a few stops for a few provisions and were on our way. 60 kilometers on the way, Chirag’s car started acting up. The boys managed to get it going again, but another 15 minutes and the problems started again. They decided to be gentlemen and asked me to join the rest of the girls in the other car. Amit would drive us to Sayla and would come back for the other 2 boys if the problems continued.

Another hour and we reached our destination; “The Old Bell Guest House”. Interestingly, this place must me 1 kilometer or less from the main highway, but the minute you drive in there, you hear nothing. They have these lovely lands with greenery and fields all around.

We parked at the end of the drive way and were waiting for word that our rooms were ready. There are some swings and seats cut from old tree barks, so that’s where we sat enjoying the surroundings.

We were shortly shown to our rooms, they were the first 2 rooms on the upper level of this old two storey building. Entry to the rooms was from this long running balcony. Once in, it was like stepping a little back in time. The rooms were done up simply but very tastefully, with wooden floors, large enough to accommodate 5 people comfortably, decent sized dressing rooms that opened out onto smaller balconies at the back. For a luxurious stay, all rooms have 24 hour cable tv, spilt air conditioners and hot and cold running water.

The room we girls chose was the first one and it had this adorable quaint wooden balcony on a third side. A lovely place to pull up a lazy chair and read for a while.

Since this place caters to a very small number of people (it has a total of 10 rooms of which 1 room is occupied by the owners of the hotel), they are very flexible in their services. We requested lunch at 3.00 pm and they were happy to do this. Till then we played some music and chatted; basically relaxed. It was around this time that Niral finally joined us.

Lunch was a nice homely affair with good food and lots of laughs. Post this everyone got into a gaming mood. The boys played volleyball till they realized that on a full stomach, physical exertion in the sun ain’t a good idea.

Some played chess on the big outdoor chess board, some played carom; one decided to pit his wits against a computer game while one decided to take pictures of the rest. The fact that I am in none of the pictures should tell you who that last one is. Then there was a horse for rides. It had a darling little foal following it around, feeding any chance it got.



Before you knew it evening was upon us and the photographer, yes me, got tired of all the clicking. The game of chess was getting more intense and for those like me who don’t understand head or tail of the game, time was a wasting. The grounds were wonderful to go for a walk and that’s what I did.

At some stage chess was abandoned and we geared up for a night of partying. Lots of music, good f & b and a wild game of dumb charades were the order of the day. Dinner was a late night affair. Again the owners were gracious enough to serve hot food to us in the middle of the night. Maybe saying us is a little out of sync, since I wasn’t there. At some point a little earlier I decided that I had had enough and went to the room to sleep.

When the rest came up, they decided that waking me up made some sense (wonder why that didn’t occur to them at dinner), once awoken I couldn’t go back to sleep. The four of us who were awake (Niral, Inderjit, Chirag and Me) settled down to play a game of phase 10 (if you haven’t played this game, you have been missing something).

Being awake till the wee hours of the morning does lead some people to mischief, the more juvenile the better. The recipient of this wasn’t very thrilled, needless to say. It was around 6.30 when we finally slept.

The next day…

It started for me at 9.30 with Amit hovering around like a house fly. I gave up on trying to go back to sleep and got dressed instead. It took a few hours for the rest to rouse themselves, get dressed, etc. Another round of phase 10 accompanied breakfast. At the end of all this it was nearing lunch time.

Another delicious meal and then we were ready to head back home. This time I drove back with Niral, since he had come alone. The other 3 girls were with Amit and Inderjit and Chirag were going to take it easy coming back in Chirag’s car, to ensure that it got back safely to Ahmedabad.

Since Niral decided to take it easy and drive leisurely, it took just over 2 hours for us to get back. It was a thoroughly pleasant drive and with that ended our weekend jaunt.

While settling the bill, we realized how reasonable the trip had turned out to be. Many thanks to Chirag for setting things up for us and to the owners of ‘Old Bell’ – Somraj and Preeti Chudasma for being such wonderful hosts. It’s definitely a place visiting again, and I think we all agree that we will go back soon.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Appreciation

I never believed I could be a writer. But I always wanted to be one.

At one stage of my life I started writing poetry and the few people I shared it with seemed to really like my work. But unlike many poets I could never write unless the correct inspiration hit me. Which meant I wrote very rarely and very little. My last one was written 11 months ago.

My father and a friend pushed me into starting a blog. Then dad introduced me to a community of bloggers (Dud Sea Scrawls). I started writing with a vengeance and if I were to go by the comments I received, not only do I write well, but my subjects are interesting also.

The poetry fizzled out and so did my blogging… Until a few weeks back! I wanted to create a one page write up on the Indian festival of Diwali for my customers all over the world. This led me to thinking of writing about all our Indian celebrations (an idea I have been toying with since college) and so I created this new blog.

Again the words of appreciation started coming in. To be very honest, for me, appreciation of my writing is akin to a hedonistic pleasure.

And then something happened to over shadow everything. My fiancé saw my new blog and sent me an email. I have never known such appreciation before. This has to be one of the biggest compliments I have ever got. It left me speechless. It is too wonderful to keep it private. With his consent I am publishing it here for the world to see.

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That was awesome jaan... I just read your new blog… Every time I think you outdid yourself, you go ahead and do it all over again… It was fantastic love; absolutely amazing…

It’s like you have taken the festival, your wishes and your rangoli to a different level… Your idea of the virtual rangoli has actually taken it to newer places outside the confines of your house into the millions of homes that are going to read it and celebrate the festival wishing you even if they don’t write back…

I can’t imagine what its like to be you, to have that creativity and the… JAAN I AM SIMPLY OUT OF WORDS, it is fantastic...

Thanks for a wonderful Diwali present to all of us… I say that not just for myself but for all the people that are going to read this… JAAN SIMPLY AMAZING…

HAPPY DIWALI LOVE.......

& WE WILL HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR AND A WONDERFUL LIFE AHEAD.....

Love
JJ


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What can I say to this? Thank you so much JJ… your words mean the world to me and you even more so.

All the signs tell me not to stop writing. I hope I don’t, because I really enjoy it, and I hope you don’t stop reading and commenting.

Here’s to lots of creativity and many more writings… Cheers!

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Bhai Beej and the Jain New Year

Happy new year once again! And a Happy Bhai Beej… 2 celebrations in one…

This time last year…

I dropped my fiancé at the train station and rushed home to get the prayer thali ready for my brothers who would be coming home to meet me.

None of these boys are related to me by blood, but I have tied them rakhis (I’ll explain this one soon) for many years and they are closer than any blood brothers can be.

First came Amit and he brought his lovely fiancé, Jyoti with him. And then came Jigesh. I applied the vermillion tika on their heads and the rice grains. Then I did the arti (saying prayers while circulating the sacred flame) and fed them some prasad.

I spent most of the day with Jigesh.

And this year…

Since the Jains celebrate their new year today, my mom’s family had a get-together. So my parents and I went there in the morning and met the whole family.

After which I went out for lunch with my friends and then called on some people – parents of my closest friends.

For some reason or the other, I couldn’t meet any of my brothers this time on this day. I really missed them. Especially Jigesh, this festival hasn’t felt complete without him.


Jigesh & Me a few Diwalis ago

I am ending this evening by having dinner with mum and dad, and then maybe I’ll watch a movie.

The day after today me and some friends are off on a mini vacation. Ok an overnight trip really… but it should be fun to get out of the city. It’s a place called Sayla where we will be staying at a heritage property. The driving time from Ahmedabad to Sayla is less than 2 hours.


Map courtesy www.answers.com

Pictures and update on that when I get back to work on Monday. Till then… adios amigos…

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Happy New Year

The start of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. In fact based on this calendar we are actually starting the year 2062. Apparently we are running ahead of the rest of the world. Thankfully in normal life we use the Gregorian calendar, other wise we would be really confused.

This time last year…

We didn’t go for the usual family get-together at mom’s relatives’ house because my grandfather had passed away only a few months before and technically my family was still in mourning.

But on the upside, my fiancé was here on leave, so I spent most of the day with him. There were more fire crackers in the evening and a good time spent with friends. All in all a nice lazy holiday.

And this year…

The usual family get-together is going to be tomorrow. It’s really odd this counting of dates thing. My mom and her family are Jains and they are celebrating the New Year tomorrow. The Hindus on the other hand are celebrating it today. I have no issues, since this way I get 2 new years (dad and his family are Sindhis; so technically Hindus).

My dad’s mother was leaving this evening to go visit her sisters in Bombay, we spent most of the day with her. Went out for a nice lunch the four of us, then I took my mom out shopping. Later I dropped my grandmother off and came home.

One of my closest friends, Chandani, had dropped in to pay her respects to my parents. During this festival it is customary for people to go and visit elder relatives and parents of close friends. We tend to go and ‘touch their feet’, a gesture that is made to ask for their blessings.

Chandani also brought her son along. His name is Jehan and he is the one who calls me Kaaguma. She brings him to touch my parent’s and my feet. It is really an odd feeling to have someone do that to you the first few times. And since he is the only one who does it to me, I am not getting used to it (makes me feel old :-) ).


Jehan with my parents, who he calls nani and nan

Those being asked for blessings tend to give the younger ones a small token (either a gift or money) as a part of their blessings.

After this mom, dad and I went to my maternal grandmother’s house to have dinner with her and my mom’s brother, his wife and daughter. Dinner was delicious and I over ate as usual. Now I am ready to drop off… It would be nice to catch up on some sleep.

So goodnight all and I wish you a wonderful new year.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Happy Diwali!

The day we have all been waiting for is here. Bringing with it all the traditions, customs and rituals that go with it.

This time last year…

A mad rush in the morning to get dressed in time and leave for the office, where prayers will be conducted at the account books for a year of good fortune.

After the prayers in the office, lunch at a family friends house, where we have been going for years now. Then back home to enjoy day 1 of the 5 day vacation that is going to follow.

In the evening after lighting all the lamps, we go off to my grand mother’s house for the evening prayers. Dinner is as usual a family affair and after dinner I join my friends wherever they are to burst fire crackers.

And this year…

It was the same mad rush this morning. The whole family got dressed and went to the office for the prayers. Our entire staff had gathered there.

A picture of our Gods and Goddesses was placed with flowers around it. Sugar cane stalks with leaves were placed on the left side and without leaves in front of the picture. 7 clay lamps and incense were lit. I applied the traditional tika and rice to the Gods and then put an offering of sweet and some more flowers. This ritual was repeated by Kanika – daughter my father’s partner in the business.


Me & Kanika performing the rituals and prayers

This was followed by the ritual opening of the new account books. Where we write the ‘shri savaa’ and make a swastika and 5 tikas. Then a small prayer is written at the bottom.


Opening the new account books

After the prayers, I applied the traditional tika on every one’s forehead and then did the same with all the computers in the office. It seems funny to do that, but you would be surprised how many people do it. Now a days nearly all business is done on a computer. It makes sense including it in your prayers.


Staff & Family members who were present

On behalf of the business sweets are given to everyone and after a few laughs and lots of good wishes, we all left. As always we went to the same family friend’s house for lunch. And as usual they had laid out a feast.

We all ate tons and then came back home more asleep than awake.

I spent the afternoon making a new rangoli. For some reason this time I can’t seem to get beyond simple designs. When I compare them to the stuff I have done over the years, I am not too happy. But everyone at home likes them, so how can I argue.



My grandmother had the prayers in the evening. Dinner was with the family. This time I wasn’t going to join my friends later, so I was standing out in the balcony watching the fire crackers light up the sky.


The view from my balcony of the fire crackers

They have now been going on for hours. The smoke is getting too much for me so I am now inside in the comfort of an air conditioned room

Another Diwali has come and gone… I hope the new year brings good fortune too everyone I know…

Happy Diwali everyone… Goodnight.

Monday, October 31, 2005

Kali Chaudas

A day that marks the destruction of evil, a day when the black arts are practiced and a night that is considered the witching night. Coincidentally today is also Halloween.

There is not much to be done today, except prepare for tomorrow. A normal day at work and frantic also, since from tomorrow offices here will be shut for at least 6 days.

Over the years I have nearly always spent this day making a huge rangoli inside the house. The size would be around 5 feet broad and about 3 feet long. And I would use grains and pulses to make this.

Once this is made, it will be kept till Dev Diwali; Diwali of the gods that is celebrated 15 days after the normal Diwali. The celebrations on this day are nearly as big as they will be tomorrow.

This year, because of lack of space and time I am not going to be making this rangoli. Instead I am going to be at work the whole day, getting things out of the way for the next few days when we are going to be shut.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Dhanteras

Finally, the festival of Diwali is upon us. Today marks the beginning of the rituals and festivities.

This time last year…

Today has been crazy. I needed to make the rangoli. Make sure the clay lamps are filled. I wanted to get things out of the way before the auspicious time for the prayers began. I also needed to buy some silver within a specific time period. I got a 10 gram coin with Goddess Laxmi (our Goddess of Wealth) on it.

I decided on the more abstract of the Ganeshes for my rangoli. Gave it a frame and a background, then placed small mirrors around it. Here is what it turned out looking like. I am really happy, though simple this has been one the best I have ever made.

Now to light the candles and then do the prayers. Then I will spend the rest of the evening in the company of my friends.

And this year…

Oh My God! I have been running around the whole day trying to get things done in time. Why do I always leave things for the last minute? As mom says “We do this every year, but we never learn. :-)”

I had to finally settle with buying clay lamps and putting candles in them. I also got some string lights for the doorway and the balcony parapet.

Mom decided that she does want to have the prayer ritual in the new house. So we needed to get some stuff for that, and prepare the puja thali.

This time I decided not to buy a silver coin. Instead I got a silver lota (one of the vessels used in the prayers).

After doing all that at about 6:00 PM I settled down to make the rangoli. I didn’t find a design that I liked enough to make, so I had to come up with it myself. It was going to be a mango in a square.

Halfway through I had to stop to go up to the new house for the prayers. It was a pleasure to share this evening with some dear friends of our family. Thank you Manjit Aunty and Inderjit for being a part of our first prayers in the new house!

Here is how the prayer rituals went. In a platter we place statues / silver or gold coins of our Gods. Mom and dad put their wedding rings, I put my engagement ring. Similarly everyone else present also put something to signify their own wealth.

Under these, I made the swastika symbol, then placed diyas to the left and right of it and one in the center. Incense is also burnt.

All the Gods and jewelry were first washed with a liquid which is a combination of 5 things called the panchamrut – ghee, dahi, milk, honey and sugar. Then the same thing was done with water. A tika was applied to them all, first the red Kanku and then rice. A sweet offering was made and then flowers placed and lastly the prayers said.


Dad following the rituals while mom guides him & my grandmom praying

This ritual was done individually by everyone present. And to end it the whole platter is taken around the house to spread the blessings.

Having done this, I came back down. While the rest of my family and our friends sat down to play a game of deadly (rummy without jokers), I finished the rangoli and then joined them.

Dinner is done, aunty has left to go home. Inderjit and I are waiting for the rest of our gang to land up. We are going to head up to the roof terrace of the new house and chill for a while.

Goodnight!

Saturday, October 29, 2005

One day more

The festive bug has got to me. Everything I need to do tomorrow, I want to do today. I didn’t even feel like coming into work. It’s the weekend…

This time last year…

The clay lamps are drying in the sun. My rangoli colors have come. Our gardener will get a garland for the door tomorrow. The prayer thali (platter) and other paraphernalia has been taken out and will be cleaned today.



What’s left? Ah! The rangoli design! A little research on the net and this is what I have found. I will take a print out and stare at it before deciding tomorrow what I will make.



The excitement is building…

And this year…

The boyas (read previous entry) are not available. Apparently people now prefer to use small candles instead. What a shame. I will have to hunt out some nice candles now to use this year. Soon after I finish posting this, I will go candle hunting. Also on the list are string lights. And some door handles (did I tell you we were doing up our new house).

I am also about to start a hunt for this year’s rangoli. I have decided that I will make the colors on marble work. So what if it takes a little more effort. It’s worth it. I’m thinking abstract art.

More tomorrow…

Friday, October 28, 2005

The countdown has begun

Theatrics aside, there are two days left for Dhanteras. Two days for the beginning of the celebrations / rituals / customs / the works.

This time last year…

The diyas (clay lamps) were extracted a few days ago, from an odd box in the cellar and soaked in water. This in the hope of getting rid of last year’s soot and oil remnants. Getting them clean and usable for this year.

With just 2 days to go, I must get the lamps out of the water, so they can bake and dry in the sun till the evening of Dhanteras when they will be first used.

The wicks have been bought and made ready. The oil has also been bought, only a few liters for the moment. I know I will have to replenish it in a few days. I have also got my rangoli colors. I will have to replenish these as well, depending on what I make and what size it gets to.

Speaking of which, it is high time I figure out what I want to make. Should I start this year with some abstract art? Or should I make a Ganesh? I love making Ganeshes because it is so traditional and fits with the occasion. But it is a difficult form to follow. Maybe an abstract Ganesh would be best.


I made a rainbow with a pot of gold one year

I will look for a few nice designs on the internet. Let’ see what I find. Another place to look for inspiration is last year’s Diwali cards, and wedding invitations. In trying to outdo themselves and each other people use the most interesting artwork for cards.

Later tonight I will check to see if my rope lights are working and also see where I can string them up.

And this year…

I have ordered some glasses in which I will pour colored water till halfway and then top it with a thick layer of oil. The wicks that will be used in these are called boyas. They are made of very thin bamboo with a tuft of cotton. The bamboo portion floats on the oil, while the cotton absorbs the oil from the bottom and burns on the top.

I am getting these for my grandmother’s house. That’s where we are staying while waiting for our house to get done. My grandmother lives in an apartment 2 floors below our new place. Unfortunately, clay lamps can’t be used, because the breeze on the 8th floor will blow them out in no time. The glass lamps will have the flame a little below the rim, so it will be protected.

I am also thinking of what I will do for the rangoli. Placing the colored powder on marble flooring is a thankless task. It keeps bouncing of, not letting me create a clean form. Maybe it is time to get innovative. I could paint on the floor with water soluble colors, but somehow it’s not the same.

Till tomorrow… adios

Thursday, October 27, 2005

This year is an exception

Every year for the last 15 years, I have always been very excited about the onset of Diwali. There are so many things to do in preparation. I hassle everyone at home to clean up the place. Put away things that will not be needed for the next 10 days. Things need to be bought, or dug out of obscure boxes lying in the cellar.

This year there is none of that. My parents and I are in the midst of shifting home. We bought this spacious apartment a few months ago and are now in the middle of getting it done up. We had planned to have it ready sometime last month, but no such luck.

Once again the old adage has been proved right; it is easy to get the workers to come into the house and start work, but to get them to finish and leave is Herculean.

We thought the masons were slow, till we saw the carpenters. We pushed the carpenters till we saw the painters. We screamed at the painters till we saw the electricians and so on and so forth. Meanwhile the rest of the agencies working with us have been coming and going. A new set of people every few days. They are all getting in each other’s way and my parent’s and I can’t wait to sigh with relief when we see them all leave.

But I digress... Back to Diwali… As I said this time I don’t have my house to do all the things I normally do, so I am going to celebrate this year virtually.

I will fill this space with what I would normally do, what I have done in the past, what I may have done, had the house been ready…

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it…

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Diwali

Diwali means ‘row of lights’. This festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and coincides with the Indian New Year (based on the lunar calendar). It is India’s biggest festival and is celebrated across the country in many different ways. Here is how we celebrate it where we live.

As a run up to the festival, people do their spring cleaning. Houses and offices are painted, new clothes, jewelry are bought, etc.

During this week garlands of leaves and flowers are hung at the door of the house. Near the entrance a rangoli is made. This is like a painting made from colored powders; some people also use different grains and pulses. The designs are usually either gods or auspicious symbols or simply traditional art.


Different rangolis made from colored powders


Me making a rangoli

People will use these days to call on and meet friends and family. Gifts and Indian sweets will be exchanged. The air of celebration will be everywhere. Practically no one works at this time.

Every evening as darkness falls rows and rows of small clay lamps will be filled with oil and lit to be placed at the periphery of the house. Fire crackers are burnt as part of the celebrations.


Clay lamps placed on a rangoli made from different grains and pulses

The first day is called Dhanteras. On this day people pray to the goddess of wealth. In the evening the family gathers to conduct the prayers. It is considered auspicious to purchase some silver or gold on this day.


Mom & Dad doing the Dhanteras prayers

Day 2 is Kali Chaudas. This day signifies the destruction of all that is evil.

The big day – Diwali; the last day of the lunar calendar. Prayers are conducted at places of business and the account books for the year that has passed are closed. New books are opened and prayers for good fortune are said. The rest of the day is spent in meeting family and friends.


Me doing the Diwali prayers at the office & opening the new account books

The next day is the New Year or Bestu Varas. This day is mainly spent in wishing loved ones a very happy new year and exchanging gifts and sweets.

Day 5 is Bhai Duj, the day sisters invite their brothers home for a meal and pray for their well being.

This is followed by 2 more days of holidays and then on the 8th day (labh pancham) all businesses will reopen after a small prayer ritual and a new year of business commences. A good transaction on this day is considered auspicious, since it signifies a trend for the year to come.

There are great mythological and historical stories behind this entire festival. If you are ever curious about these, email me at inmyeye@gmail.com and I will be happy to tell you about them. Thank you for taking the time to read about our festival.


From me & my family, I wish you a very
Happy Diwali & Prosperous New Year