Saturday, October 5, 2013

Navaratri, Durgapuja, Dussehra.....Call it by any name......

....the essence is the same, the celebration of 'good over evil.'

Of all the countries in the world, I believe no other country celebrates life like we do. Be it food, nature, seasons, gods, saints, lights we just celebrate everything and this season it is  the celebration of Good over evil.  A pan Indian festival which has different names in different regions. 

In Southern india, the display of dolls called 'Golu' is a practice followed in most homes.
This is the golu at home this year.


The thanjavur painting, the dancing shiva, the ganeshji, the marapacchi toys, the chennapatna toys, the rajasthani couple, thanjavur  bommai, the brass kitchen toy set
                                            Each doll has a little story to tell....



                               /ganeshji writing Mahabharat in Sage Vyasa's hermitage, a kondapalli creation(Andhra Pradesh) beside is the bobbing thanjavur Raja Raja chola doll in blue.
The marapacchi toys(redsanders) and the tiny brass kitchen set from the 1940's

                             even the yarn lights that you see here has a story to tell. This was made by my daughter. She dyed the jute threads and wound them over a balloon smeared with fevicol. Once dried the balloon is bursted while the yarn takes the shape of the balloon.

This is one of the oldest golu bommai, which was passed on to my Mil from her grand mom. more than 100 year old heirloom, made in Mannargudi.   It is a decor piece at home, for which i am not able to find an antique polish.
                              The aerial view of this park/village created by my son has industries,wells, pucca houses, buildings, roads( all from old 'the game of life' board game)  cars and bullock carts:)I loved his explanation for each. 


So, that's golu at home for the next 9 days, one of my favorite festival.

Meanwhile, From my home to yours....

Shubh Navaratri.....enjoy the festive season:)

12 comments:

  1. Wow Asha this is fabulous. The jute balls made by your daughter are simply marvelous! She is a very talented child.Hugs!

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    1. Thank you, ma'am. Yes, she is very creative.

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  2. Yes your children are so talented, it shows from their work.
    Happy festivities to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you, Rama. Hope you are enjoying too:)

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  3. Shubh Navaratri to you too. I'm coming for the sundal .......

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  4. I love this tradition of Golu here, that way you collect so many old memories too.

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    1. True, True...collecting memories, making some memories, socializing ,a total feast for mind, body and soul...Thank you, Renu:)

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  5. This is a comment from Shilpa, which got deleted while publishing from my phone.

    The comment from shilpa reads thus:
    How did I miss this post? Belated wishes for the festive season :P
    I saw Golu pics on a blog yesterday and remembered that it was on your blog, last year that I first came to know about this tradition. :)

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    1. Thank you, shilpa. I retrieved this comment from the deleted items folder. I must have accidentally deleted this comment from my blogger account. I am not able to publish as a direct comment, so cut pasted it. Thank you so much and hope you enjoyed the festive season too.

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