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The Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
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The Final Golu for this year... and a performance...

The Fine Arts Society, Chembur is a hub of activity almost throughout the year. However, it is during Navaratri, that the place attracts even more crowds than usual.  The reason is of course, their music and fine arts classes, which begin on Vijayadasami, but even non-musical people like me rush there to see their golu, year after year.




This golu is one of our favourites, and one we rush to see every year, even though the main dolls are all the same.There are a few new ones every year...

Bhu-Varaha represented in two forms...

This one, being white, I am guessing is Shweta Varahaswamy

and there are always some which we love to see... again and again and again!

On top are the Ashta Lakshmis or 8 forms of Lakshmi.
below are Ganeshas, represented as the Dashavatars

Under the tree are Adi Shankara and his disciples. Behind them are the pontiffs of the Kanchi Math


A Garden, with animals

We always love their Marapachis!

Vithala Rakumai look beautiful, dont they? 

Ganesha

Ayyappa

Great Souls - Gandhiji,  Buddha, Thiruvalluar, Tyagarjar, Raghavendrar, and Meera






Dhanvantari, with his medicinal plants spread out

But it is the side decoration that beckons us. This year, the theme is the Ramayana, and the entire epic has been recreated with handmade dolls.

Birth of Rama (and his brothers)


Sita's Swayamvar

with Sita and her sisters looking on



In the forest - Bharata taking back Rama's Padukaas


Sita being kidnapped by Ravana, while Rama and Lakshmana go after the golden deer


Meeting Shabari


Sita in the Ashoka Vatika


Ravana's court


And finally, Rama's coronation


This year, I was at the Fine Arts Society for one more reason... to see my sister dance. As some of you know, she is a Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer, and performs at various places with her group from the Sanskriti Academy of Fine Arts, Thane, under the inspired guidance of Smt. Asha Sunilkumar. This year, I am proud to say that I believe she surpassed herself, with a performance that had everyone stand up and notice her. Of course, the entire troupe performed beautifully, but with my sister on stage, can I have eyes for anyone else? Here are a few glimpses of her expressive face....






You can see the entire album of photographs on Facebook....here

and on Google Plus Photos... here.

And those of you who are going to ask me why I didn't take a video, sorry, but my camera was running low on battery, and I didn't want to risk missing part of the performance. Besides, I don't really think I am good at videography, but I promise to at least try next time!
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Location: The Fine Arts Society, The Fine Arts Society, Fine Arts Cultural Centre, Fine Arts Chowk, R. C. Marg, Chembur, Mumbai -, Ramakrishna Chemburkar Marg, Chembur Gaothan, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071, India

Comments

  1. Meghana HassanOctober 14, 2013 at 3:21 AM

    Great series on golu and your sister's performance. Dhanvantri along with medical herbs, reminded me of the golu theme last year at your mom's place.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ranjana's craft blogOctober 15, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    Loved that Ramayana series

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarOctober 15, 2013 at 7:34 PM

      Yes, Ranjana! that was really wonderful! we loved it too!

      Delete
  3. AayuOctober 18, 2013 at 1:48 AM

    http://tinyurl.com/workid/?id=Aayu

    ReplyDelete

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