Diwali in Assam- the most mystic moments captured in my soul!

It is a throwback post, one which I have waited to write for a year now! Last year, we traveled to Assam for our Diwali break and fortunately experienced #Diwali exploring through rural villages of #Kaziranga.

Clay lamps adorn the outhouse of a Tea Estate in Kaziranga

Our able guides Bumani & Bablu drove us to nooks and corners of these villages where time seemed like it had stood still! Simple homes many of which were clay huts, clustered together into small hamlets, showed us how beautifully these communities celebrate the festival of lights.

Crossing lit homes that faced the tarred road highways.

As we cruised through the tarred highway in an open gypsy, we soaked in the enthralling view of the dark canopy star-filled Sky that interspersed into warm lit clusters of villages. As the drive continued we encountered numerous highway facing homes adorned with banana stalks spread across each of these home entrances with people hovering around carrying earthen lamps. Occasionally some dazzling fire crackers caught the eye making it an enjoyable drive ever. Almost felt like the magic carpet ride from the animation film Aladin!

An inviting clay lamp lit entrance of a village hamlet in the rural village of Kaziranga.

Exploring through each home when we stopped at various villages we got to know how this festival is celebrated between not just the Hindu Assamese homes but also in the Gurkha as well as the Muslim households of this region.

Here are some glimpses of these beautifully done up hamlets.

A young lady lights up lamps laid out beautifully on the makeshift banana plant entrance, unique decor of the Assamese home.

A newly married lady asses her decor after she's lit her lamps at her home.

An elderly lady refills her lamps to keep them burning through the long evening.

A curious look at the unannounced guests who are hovering around her house, this lady seems intrigued by my presence around her home!

Living in busy and commercial cities like Mumbai, participating with these welcoming people of rural India makes you stop and wonder, how quickly we are dissolving our heritage under the garb of commercial growth!

A topic that has no end and while I relive my beautiful moments of Assam, happy to share them with you through my posts on the Sensuous2Spiritual chronicles.

Xoxo,
S2S

Dhakai Shari- The most exquisite muslin!

Dhakai Muslin, considered as one of the most aristocratic fabric of choice, a symbol of luxury. Originating in ancient Bengal, muslins became famous during the Mughal rule when they were exported from Dhaka to the Middle East and much of Europe.

The choice of fabric of the Royals & Aristocrats:

Having grown up in a Bengali household which boasts of Shantiniketan lineage- Mother and Masi (influence of elite students from Dhaka with royal lineage studied in this institute), it was impossible to miss the exotic variety of Dhakai Jamdani at home. While superficially it looked like coarse sheets of fine paper but when laid out open, it would leave one in absolute admiration of the intricacy of art that each of these 6 yards unfold.

Muslin is fine quality of cotton originally found to have deep historic relevance to India.

Buying a Sari of this nature is nothing less than a ritual. The color, design lineage, weave count, the fineness of muslin and most important of all, the jewelry that will eventually be adorned with this weave are the most important decision that tips over the eventual buy. This is one exciting purchase and the feeling comes closest to the sentiments one has while buying the bridal trousseau!

Buying muslin is incomplete if the final look is not planned.

Here is a collection I have managed to preserve and maintain over the years. It is after all my indulgence of choice. :)

Pista green body with pastel pink and purple jamdani work:

One of my oldest muslins that dates back to 1998. Nearly 2 decades old and has been my companion during many beautiful wears. Over the years, this beauty is yielding to softness, which during the initial days used to be the perfect 'taut and stiff'. Recently noticed that some parts of the saree is beginning to give way to tear. Still trying to save this beauty in my collection and though she is fading I wish to give you a closer peek at this weave.

Traditional jewelry for my pista green dhakai.

'Doodhe-alta' Red Dhakai with gold tinged jamdani:

This was a gift from my Husband after my Son was born. A product of 2008, this is one wear that is perfect at every possible occasion. It looks elegant when draped for festivals, perfect for an evening party and fits in just as well in a sophisticated art show. The unique differentiating factor for this weave is the variety of jewelry and accessories that compliments this wear for various occasions. One of my favorite in my 6 yards collection.

With Hyderabadi Pearls to bring out the elegance of this weave.

Accentuate the drama with larger beads.

Keep the traditional look with Gold and minakari.

Saffron body with green and gold jamdani:

A birthday gift from my sweetheart mother, this sari is a product of 2012. Very unique combination sets this one apart. It is a classic day wear sari and when accessorized can be worn for various occasions. A heavy Gold set makes it perfect for a day wedding, a dark pearl lets me wear it for a tea party and the Gujrati -Kutch bead work makes it perfect for a theater break.

Keep it plain, drop a gem or simply pair a dramatic dangler. This one stands out just as it is!

Apart from these 3 in my Dhakai shari collection I have a few more in vivid colors and designs, which I shall share with you as another post on another day.

Meanwhile, do drop in your thoughts on this read.

For more read on Dhakai Muslin, you can click here. To feast on more designs and styles you can find some in my Pinterest Posts else just google 'Dhakai Jamdani' in Goggle Images and enjoy the feed.

Until the next time,

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spiritual

          

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