Bougainvillea inspiration, just like the English picket fence

Growing up on a staple read of rich English literature, my world of imagination has memories of  'an overgrown hedge of pink bougainvillea climbing over a white picket fence', one I cherish very dearly. An image of my juvenile mind that I keep experimenting with even today.

How often have I romanticize a steaming cup of tea under the shadow of this overgrown pink hedge, ah! the drama...

I've had a couple of bougainvillea plants at my home for nearly over a decade, ones that have matured into healthy seasonal plants, which I will doctor to transform into a dreamy English hedge as my inspiration stems from there for this winter. My attempts are to get closest possible to the visual image of this European Countryside. A project I injected this summer, re-arranged my terrace garden to create my dream ambiance.

First I set up the support for the hedge with some zig-zag wire lines crisscrossing over the open face of our terrace, hoping that this will enable the young shoots to get play while they follow the lines as they grow. Wont it be amazing to stand under a pink bougainvillea sky?

Next, I used the sides of my Red Door to support the climb for my mature plants. Gave the bottom half of the plants some good snips. I allowed these plants to soak in the monsoon moisture all through last season of rain and as each new off-shoot grew, the ones around the red door got their trim in order for the plants height to grow. I used the newer shoots to twirl around the zig-zag line so  that I get closest to my desired hedge formation as the season of bloom nears.

Like they say, patience is a virtue of success. For me, the results thus far are quiet encouraging. Here is the view of my mini bougainvillea hedge as the first blooms surface. I am quiet looking forward for this entire season to make that English dream come true!

Stay with the me through this season as I bring alive many more posts through the S2S chronicles.

Xoxo,
S2S       

Dance to my souls content!

Dance is devotion. It helps me express my desires, allows me to emote my being and most importantly connects me to the divine.

Dance is devotion.

As a child when I danced I did it just because I loved it so much. Though I went for classical dance classes through a large part of my growing up days I was unable to connect to it spiritually. All I liked about dancing were the colorful attires and waited for a time when I could adorn those beautiful jewelry for a stage performance.

As a child, I was drawn to the 'shringaar' of a beautiful dancer. The colors she wore, the jewelry she flaunted, the expression and the grace of the art.

The quest for dancing kept evolving over years and for a very long time I yearned to get back to formal training format. I did try a few times but failed in connecting with the guides and thus got totally disheartened.

Almost as if the forces up there were watching, much later (after my Son was born) about 6 years back, I discovered my current day Guru. She is a person who has the most calming effect on me. Someone who encouraged me to dance and this time I have found a person who has answers for all my quests. I seek meaning in what I perform and that is my way of meditating, coming closer to the Divine. My Guru makes it even more desirable with her able direction.

Nataraj in my Dance studio. It is belived that the origin of Nritya dates back to his tandav.

However, the dazzle of the 'shringaar' continues to mesmerize me and true to my childhood dreams, I live it through my own wardrobe of costumes & jewelry now. Interestingly, the science around 'shringaar' is unfolding its mysteries as I am engaging deeper with this art. Here is a glimpse of some of my collection from my ever growing treasure chest of dance costumes and adornments.

My Lakshmi series: the long necklace studded with white stones to balance the purple attire.

Gaja Lakshmi Temple Jewelry: A must have in every dancers treasure chest.

The graceful spread of the costume with the essential adornments.

Jasmine flower, a culture that is so intense and fragrant!

Jari, originally used to be weaved with pure Gold thread.

Feminine romance (lysya) invoked by Jari, Gold, Diamond and Flowers

Ruby, pearl and diamonds: A girls best friend!

Jasmine buds open up to immerse us in its freshness.

Magical transformation of the mesmerizing Dancer.

Concluding shot of the attire and fragrant jasmine makes me want to hit the stage this very moment. :)

Hope you have enjoyed this visual journey, a passion and quest I want to dedicate my life to.

Until the next blog.

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spiritual