Memory is unpredictable . One never really knows what we will remember and what we will forget. Which is why nostalgia arrives in unpredictable waves, highlighting something and skimming over others. Recently, I have found myself thinking of how memory works, as I was assailed by nostalgia over a trip to Varanasi, a city I prefer to think of, as Kashi. The nostalgia hit right as we landed at Varanasi airport. The last time I was here, it was 1988, I was 13 years old, the airport was brand new… regular flights hadn’t started yet (I think) … flights landed about once a week, and for the rest of the time, everything was open to those of us who lived in the airport quarters nearby. There were fields everywhere, vast expanses of green… I have vague memories of corn and sugarcane… and being overwhelmed by the vastness of the fields (this was the first time I was in such close proximity to them), and the warm hospitality of complete strangers who lived and worked amidst these fields. I h...
A hectic day and a sleepless night! That's how I spent the whole of yesterday - getting the Bommai Kolu ready. But at last, I am done, and only the finishing touches need to be added, for which Samhith needs to have enough free time, something that's going to happen only this Sunday.
While I get ready to celebrate the festival, take a look at my Golu.
This is just a preview of my Golu and Navaratri, as I end my series on Navaratri preparation and start a new one on the festival.
While I look out for things to write about Navaratri, check out my last year's posts on the same festival :
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-9.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-8.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-6-and-7.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-5.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-4.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-3.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-2.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-1.html
While I get ready to celebrate the festival, take a look at my Golu.
This is just a preview of my Golu and Navaratri, as I end my series on Navaratri preparation and start a new one on the festival.
While I look out for things to write about Navaratri, check out my last year's posts on the same festival :
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-9.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-8.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-6-and-7.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-5.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-4.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-3.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-2.html
http://anushankarn.blogspot.com/2008/10/navaratri-experiences-1.html
It looks great. Looking forward to more posts about Navaratri.
ReplyDeleteromba azhaga iruku.. very well utilised space
ReplyDeleteone question: where do u keep the kalasam? we usually keep it on the padi itself
ReplyDeleteHappy Navrathri Anu... to you and your family. Your preperations look lovely... Cant wait to see more!! I'm off to check your earlier links now!
ReplyDeleteYour Kolu looks attractive. I really liked those wooden dolls , we have similar ones in my maternal house.
ReplyDeletewish you a happy navarathri
First of all, to all of you who have let comments here, sorry for the delay.. have been really busy......
ReplyDeleteLost Wanderer : Thanks a lot.....
A Journey Called Life : thanks...have to do the best with what we have... and have waited for this for years!!!!! yes, we also keep the kalasam on the padi..... in our house, we just keep a decorated kalasam (the thanjavur kannadi work stuff), and this year its looking so old and worn out, am planning to buy a new one, so left it on the shelf where it stands usually.....
Patricia : thanks a lot.....let me know what u think of the earlier ones....
Chitra thanks a lot.. wish you too a happy navaratri..