Twenty- five Seven

Ceramic Jars in Blue & White from Aw #atozchallenge

April 12, 2016

I’m participating with over 1000 bloggers in the 7th A to Z Challenge and will be blogging the whole of April about the ‘ Things around My House’, from A to Z. The Aw Pottery JARS at home aren’t unique but I definitely haven’t seen them anywhere else so far.

Do visit the A to Z Challenge posts on Facebook.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What are Blue & White jars from AW?

Four fat, little ceramic jars that squat contentedly on a sideboard near my dining table. These are jars made at AW POTTERIES, a studio situated in Johor Bahru and acquired by my mother-in-law during her brief sojourn in Malaysia in the late 70’s.

Pottery has pre-historic origins (remember Mohenjo daro from our history books?) and used in different civilisations. It naturally progressed into Ceramics , a more durable form of earthenware with a glazing to make it less porous. Blue & White was introduced to the world by the Chinese as early as the 9th Century . This combination with a universal appeal has been replicated in Europe (Delft Blue) and Asia (even Jaipur in India .)

Traditionally, these ceramic jars are used to store household grains but in my home, I use them to keep medicines!

My Blue&White Ceramic Jars

My Blue&White jars are around 10″ high, with separate internal lids and have delicate brush worked landscapes in Oriental style. Few would suspect that I use them to store medicines, a far cry from what they were originally intended for!

My Blue&White jars aren’t antiques, but I can see some cracks in the glazing and a distinct discolouration over the years. I am sure they will become vintage by the time my great grandchildren inherit them!

Incidentally, Johor Bahru is a great holiday destination, especially for families with young children. With summer coming up, you could explore the possibility of travelling to Malaysia and come back with some Aw Pottery too!
Why I love this Indian Idol #atozchallenge

April 11, 2016
Hindus are idol worshippers and many have idols of their ancestral/family/favourite Gods enshrined in a special room or altar. While the basic tenets of Hinduism are common, the worship and rituals vary. In my own family, each of us has our own favourite idol but there is one Indian Idol that we all love – Lord Ganesh.

This portly Elephant-headed God ,zipping around on His tiny mouse, has several interesting stories associated with his birth,his childhood and the reasons why people worship Him.

All religious ceremonies begin with a prayer invoking His presence. Even a visit to a temple dedicated to another Hindu God, is initiated with a preliminary call to the little idol of Ganesha kept in a niche outside.

Millions believe that He is the
- supreme protector of people
- remover of all obstacles
- bestower of happiness and joy
- destroyer of enemies
His worshippers are assured knowledge, wisdom and prosperity.

My Indian Idol

My little, Ganesha idol holds a special place in my heart because He came into my life a very special way . Every year He comes out of my cupboard and is given pride of place in the centre of our living room. The peace that radiates is palpable and I can spot a smile of satisfaction on His face.

I also adore Him because this is the one time we indulge in the yummy modak that are made specially for Him and devoured greedily by us on His behalf.

During this festival, Community Ganeshas are installed in different parts of the city and I love visiting them.

Is it any wonder He is my favourite Indian Idol? Do you have any favourites?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m participating with over 1000 bloggers in the 7th A to Z Challenge and will be blogging the whole of April about the ‘ Things around My House’, from A to Z. Today I introduce you to my favourite Indian Idol – Lord Ganesha

Do visit the A to Z Challenge posts on Facebook.
The best sun hat to fight the sun #atozchallenge

April 8, 2016

Isn’t it strange that the sun is still shining but people have stopped wearing the sun hat. At one time, everyone covered their heads, when they stepped out as this was the best way to fight the sun . In the days of the Raj, the Safari Helmet or Sola Topee any gentleman going out during the day wore a sun hat. Thus the sola topee was commonly seen hanging in many Indian homes, particularly those of Military Officers, Tea planters, Government officials or just those who just liked to keep themselves insulated from the sun.

What is a sun hat made of?

Made out of the pith of an Indian swamp plant Aeschynomene aspera and covered with either white or khaki coloured fabric, it started out as a military hat but was soon adopted by several civilians working/ living in the tropics.

About 30 years ago, I was looking around for a birthday present for Hubby Dear in Mumbai’s Crawford Market area and came upon a hat shop. Rather hesitantly I asked for a Sola Topee and was quite amazed when the shopkeeper actually showed me one! I immediately bought it and a very thrilled Hubby Dear proudly wore it every morning on his walk. But over time, his walks stopped (surprised?)and the hat sat out its days on our piano as a decorative piece.

One day, P, my daughter’s class mate decided it was a great way to annoy her and grabbed it and ran around the house,like a mad hatter, wearing it till it was dripping with sweat. Naturally, I kept it away, especially since I couldn’t replace it easily.

However, those really interested,can buy one from China or Vietnam where they are still manufactured. Or, if you want 5000 and more, call up Popular Sola Hat Works at Lohar Chawl who will gladly make them for you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m participating with over 1000 bloggers in the 7th A to Z Challenge and will be blogging the whole of April about the ‘ Things around My House’, from A to Z. Today I take you back to the days of the Raj when a Sun Hat was seen on every gentleman’s head.

Do visit the A to Z Challenge posts on Facebook.