Twenty- five Seven

Do bells on the key chain warn people? #atozchallenge

April 13, 2016

The key chain with bells

This is my key chain with bells, the one that I keep clipped on my waist. Most Indian women (at least the old fashioned ones) have a key chain like this , clipped on to the sari. It was the ultimate symbol of a bossy and efficient housewife who ran her household like a tight ship. It was much cherished and passed on like a baton by a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law, signifying a transfer of power.

My key chain has no such provenance. It was bought with the money my husband gifted me the first Diwali we celebrated as a couple. Nor am I under the illusion that my presence makes my minions quake since I have no minions either!

But my key chain with its tiny, jingly, jangly bells was a great early warning system for my little girls who used to be up playing in their room while Hubby and I were out for the night. The minute they heard the tinkling sound at the door, they’d quickly jump into bed, pull up the covers and shut their eyes tight while I looked in on them and kissed them good night.

Many of the bells have now fallen off and some of the keys it holds are redundant. I also don’t wear saris that often but still manage to tuck the clip onto the waistband of my trousers or salvar, enjoying its heavy feel, the jingly bells and the illusion of power.

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

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 Key Chain that jingles when I’m around.

Do visit the A to Z Challenge posts on Facebook.
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.