a memoir of etchings and wanderings
It’s Christmas! I might be one of the few people on the planet at their work desks today, but I will let nothing dampen the spirit! I’m going to listen to the Christmas radio, sing along loudly, walk down to the bakery for some plum cake and go back home to watch Home Alone 1, 2, 3 and then Love Actually – in that order! For now, unable to contain … Continue reading “Winter Wonderland” →
The festival of lights is here And there is no better place to be than home This year, the Rangoli is almost perfect The refrigerator is stocked with sweet delights Happy Diwali, everyone! Thank you for the tip, Naween Bhaiya! Ma, attending the finer bits Supervising. The prayer room Just like last year’s one 🙂 Chakrabortys say “Happy Diwali”
After spending over six years in Maharashtra, the festival of the beloved Elephant God has almost become a part of me. I remember being told to stay away from the maddening crowds that Ganesh Chaturthi brings, because there is a certain level of craziness involved that not all of us can digest. But I recollect being a part of a visarjan party in Pune and even observing one from a … Continue reading “Moryaaa!” →
‘Tis Christmas day today with the year end drawing close. Indeed, the most wonderful time of the year. Dampened only slightly by my anti-secular workplace, my Christmas is going rather well. I’m listening to holiday music on online radio, changing the wallpaper every hour and watching the Home Alone series at work! Ha! It’s been a good year – here is a little snapshot of the most wonderful revels this … Continue reading “8 | 12: Twelve Festive Moments” →
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino Diwali. The festival of lights. Probably the only one I could actually celebrate over my childhood. Although I must agree that it all seemed to be more fun when I was younger, Diwali is, and always will be special. Because there is something hopeful … Continue reading “Lumos!” →
In no way like Calcutta, but Pujo was always a big deal even for children in Muscat. We had new clothes for each of the five main days. The Indian Social Club, Bengali Wing would organise for an assortment of traditional and well, not-so traditional activities. Recitations, cooking competitions, music and dance, theater style performance by children and adults. Over the years, it evolved into fancy dress competitions, fashion shows and things … Continue reading “Pujo by the Palm” →
Today is Mahalaya. The invoking of life in the idol of Goddess Durga. The beginning of what will be an entire week, followed by a hangover of a month of festivities. Today is the one day when almost everyone is awake at the break of dawn. Probably the only day when the people of Bengal tune into AIR to listen to Mahisashur Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra and quietly hum … Continue reading “Almost Pujo” →
It’s that day of the year. That day where all households in India get bustling to celebrate siblings. From when I was a child, its has been all a rather exciting affair to me. Sisters tie a thread around their brother’s hands, get gifts, the food is great – whats not to love! I’ve been a little less fortunate when it came to brothers. I have none that share my … Continue reading “Ties” →
Three days at home at I feel as though nothing was ever wrong with my life! A few familiar faces, the smell of fresh laundry drying crisp in the sun, the sound of the typical Calcutta cycle-rickshaws honking as they glide past, almost everybody knows you around the lane you live in, mishti and lots of it – makes for such a refreshing change. In Bengal, it is customary to … Continue reading “Yellow!” →