Stay Tuned...!!!

The Annual MeghnaSays...2015 Awards 

COMING SOON...!!!

*********************

"Eat That Frog"...!!!

So many places I want to be at, so many things I want to do, so many people I want to meet, so many paintings I want to complete, so many posts I want to publish on my blog...

But so little time. So how do I do..? 

By Eating Frogs.

Okay, not literally.

While browsing through the amazing Amazon.com trying to zero down my next read, I came across Brian Tracy's "Eat That Frog". The title got me intrigued, so when I tried to find out what the book was about, I came across this very interesting explanation:

"When you eat a live frog the first thing every morning, you can be rest assured that nothing worse than that can happen to you throughout the day."

Hmm. Interesting. 

So I bought that book and read it. It lived upto what it promised.

This book tells 21 time management tips, the first one being eating the frog, which is a very articulate metaphor for doing your most important, time consuming and priority one task the first thing as the day starts. That done, you can wade through the remainder of the day and tasks with a lot more fluidity and ease.

The author tells various techniques like the ABCDE method of prioritizing, how to avoid procrastination and how to scoop out larger chunks of time so that you get set to get things done. The book is slim and can be finished within 2-3 hours of dedicated reading if you have a decent speed. But the essence of this book lies not in finishing it's last page, but in keeping in mind what it's different pages say. And then  practicing them.

Some of the tips and techniques can appear to be painfully obvious, but therein lies the beauty of the book. If we all really did do what we know is right for us, would there be any need for such books to be authored? ;)

It is a good book, worth reading and practicing. You can read the book in one sitting, or a chapter a day over 21 days, but practicing what the book says will remain fundamental if you are trying to make every penny that you spent in buying the book count.

So go ahead, taste the blood yourself and then decide what it is worth. 

As for me, I have been Eating My Frogs since...!!! :)

10 Solid Steps Towards Clean India...!!!

"Want a cleaner India? Get Dustbins."

When I first came to Hyderabad some 15 years ago as a school kid, this was the most striking thing about this city. There were beautiful, penguin shaped dustbins at a distance of every 200 metres AROUND the city. This was something that stayed with me till the time I came here again two years ago. Sadly, all the Dustbins had disappeared by then. 

People... poor people throw things on the road because there is no other place for them to throw the litter. Indians especially, are borderline paranoid when it comes to keeping their houses squeaky clean. Why do the same people show such reversed and paradoxical traits outside of their houses is still a big looming question for me. The easiest and the most handy way for us to end this or any such discussion of national interest is with the one-sentiment-answers-all - "Oh, Indians are like that only." By emphasizing this point, aren't we too proliferating this hopeless, hapless feeling? Are we not Indians?  

On a lot of deliberate thought, I could come up with the following few reasons as to why we are still waiting to live in a Cleaner India and not actually living in one :-
1. Obviously we don't care.
2. No one can MAKE us care.
3. We are the Fearless Ninjas - We are not scared of the rules because.. Well..There are no rules!
4. There is no monetary benefit. There goes!
5. Even if there were rules, we are the super creative citizens of the world who can tweak ways around them.
6. We are so many in number, who will bother singling us out when we disobey the law.
7. Will there be any authority concerned seriously enough to take action against us if we break the rules?

Now that this mini list of questions was charted, it helped me to come up with some viable answers.

How to turn the situation around?

1. Nothing changes until we do, or until we want to. When we want to watch a movie, we take time out for it no matter how busy our schedules. In the same way, no one can Tell Us to keep our country clean. Just like we brush our teeth and take a shower every day, keeping our country clean is more about THAT becoming our habit. It has to seep deep into our subconscious.

2. How do we do step 1? 

The only thing that we care about the most today is our 'Virtual' Social Network. It is the most influential, powerful and dominant medium. Probably, the most impactful way to get common people's attention today is social media. Period. Let that scream out loud about this topic. About cleanliness. Of land, water and air, just as much as it talks about cleansing the mind, body and soul.

3. Sportspeople and athletes use this very powerful technique of visualization - imagining the finer details of the outcome, so that the vision of our aim appears to be more achievable. Let us try as much as we can, to share images of how a cleaner, greener India would look. Instead of the slums and slime, when our thoughts will feed on such happy, beautiful images, subconsciously, we will want to work towards it with a whole new zest.

4. In schools, lets make cleanliness the most emphatic subject.
Schools can have a separate report card which grades students on their qualities and habits of cleanliness, neatness, proper uniform and polished shoes, grooming, and Dustbin habits. They can be taken on cleanliness and plantation drives. When kids learn, they are likely go remember it for life, and they can easily pass on this message to atleast their own family. 

This way, we can make India cleaner one family at a time. That sounds easy and doable, isn't it?

4. Rewards - Something we all thrive on. Be it in words or vouchers. And these rewards can be given in schools as well as societies. Let the municipal corporation come up with awards like Neatest Home Surroundings, Most Habitable Society, Best Community Garden, Cleanest and Healthiest Society and Most Litter-Free Area. And when we monetize the rewards, everyone has secured their subscription!

5. Let the traffic police click pics of those vehicles too which zoom around littering the roads. And fine them. Have all their vehicle numbers on the challan website. Once they cross their threshold, send them a postal notice to pay their fines or face the penalties.

6. Incentivize the police too when they work for this cause. And incentivize them BIG.

7. Constantly feed cleanliness slogans and messages to people - on FM channels, social media, YouTube ads, TV ads. When it won't go out of sight, chances are it will stay in mind a little longer.

8. Everyone who can should incentivize this cause - Schools, colleges, offices, municipality, everyone. Till the time it is no longer required.

9. Parents are any child's first teachers - So parents who are teachers and teachers who are parents - Lead by Example, please. The kids emulate you, blindly. If they see you throwing toffee wrappers, empty tetra packs or plastic bottles and polythene bags out of your car's window on the roads, you will never be able to stop them from doing the same. They will just not listen to you even if you request them. Instead, you face the risk of being back-answered to. Keep a small trash bag in your car and dump all the dry litter in it. When you get down, empty it in the trash can. 

Let us aim to live a life brimming with grace and elegance, not one where we try to see from the corner of our eyes if someone's watching, and then discreetly stick our chewing gum here or there. 

10. And point no. 9 brings us to point no. 10. Which is "Get more Dustbins." With the kind of population we have, one can only imagine our potential to litter. Accordingly, how many dustbins we would need is simple math. And just installing dustbins won't be enough. We need  proper waste management in every city. Once this is in place, we all would be coming home to a lot of cleanliness. And happiness.

So, there! See the power of intentions?

If we really put our minds and hearts to something, we can find 10 answers to 7 questions (even more, if we push a little bit harder).

We are the face of a new, modern, youthful and dynamic India. And how we live today is what we will pass on to our next generations. If we don't get up and take action today, imagine the putrid looks on our faces when our kids and grandkids would ask us - 'how dirty were you people?' 

The good thing is, it is still not too late. Let us get up and start doing something about it instead of simply nodding our heads in disdain. Some small steps today will help us keep our heads high before our grandchildren years down the lane, when we will be able to look into their eyes and tell them, " it is our beautiful country which we have nurtured with lot of care and love. Take good care of it."

Signing away, with a LOT of hope...!!!

Another First of a Lifetime...!!!

Cravings can be good at times, especially when they inspire you to get up and get your hands dirty!

Two days ago, I had this serious craving for Murukku. This is a savory, crunchy Indian snack which originated in the state of Tamil Nadu, and derives its name from the Tamil word for 'twisted' because of its shape. Also known as Chakli, this is essentially a deep fried snack best enjoyed with the evening tea. But as the tribe of weight watchers increases, people have come up with its baked versions also. 

My craving was totally for the deep fried version. So I watched a number of videos on YouTube (God Bless!) and realized that my kitchen needed to be equipped with a couple of ingredients and the Murukku instrument also. Thankfully, I found them all within a radius of one kilometer. So now, my crispy, crunchy snack is ready. This is the first time I have made it, and the way it turned out makes me feel pretty good! :)

And the craving..? That satiated big time..!! :D 

Hot Chaklis Anyone...?!! :)

Spruce Up That Dressing...!!!

Food has become a very integral part of my life, especially in the last two years. And I am blessed that almost everyone I've known in this little life of mine seems to be a food magician, in one way or other. Every member of my family, immediate or extended, men or women, kids or adults or super adults, and almost all of my friends, are amazing cooks.

And in India, when that happens, you are constantly showered by something called 'Handy Tips'. 

(We could possibly be the nation because of whom the term "Free Advice" would have been coined. And here, the tongue is in the cheek only to get bit.)

This post of mine will also talk about a handy tip. And this is about the dear old humble 'Dhaniya' or coriander for which our ladies still haggle with the veggie vendor, manage to get a bunch a free sprigs with their quota of vegetables bought and then enter the house all beaming with the pride and elation of victory.

If not used soon enough, its amazingly fragrant tender leaves tend to wilt even in the refrigerator. And when that happens, the victory goes down the dustbin. And most of our cooked vegetables and Dal are left drab and dull. 

In order to keep the joy of victory AND the Dhaniya alive for longer, here is what you can do. When you bring it home, wash it, let it dry as best as it can by spreading it out on a kitchen towel in an airy place. Once dry, you can place it in food grade air tight containers and pop them in the fridge. Just make sure to place a paper towel at the base of the container.

What to do if you Don't have an airtight container?

Victory can still live longer. In this case, when you get the coriander in your kitchen, avoid washing it, but try to get rid of as much of the mud, roots and wilted stems if any. Then, spread a paper napkin over a newspaper and roll your dhaniya in them. Newspaper ink is not good if it gets in your system, so try not to forget lining with the paper napkin.

Roll it tight and pop it in your fridge. When it is time to use it, take a bowl of fresh water, add a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon in it, and soak the washed and cleaned Dhaniya in this for about 5-10 minutes. If you are blessed with sunlight in your kitchen, place your bowl there. And the seemingly dried up leaves will be plump, crisp and fragrant again.

I happen to do this almost always, because Dhaniya is very constitutive in my cooking, and I am totally in love with its color and flavor. The last time I did it, which was today, I took a pic to share with you all...

Bonus tip: This is something my Dadiji (Grandmother) always said - Always use the stems of your Dhaniya too, 'cuz that is the part of the plant which has the maximum flavor and fragrance. And I have to say, they look gorgeous in the dish.

Do try this once and let me know if this tip helps. I don't just love sharing free advices, I eagerly wait for the feedback too...!!! :)

Christmas Barbeque...!!!

The baked goodies prepared for Christmas vanished in no time. And this yummy treat was followed by a long weekend. Which obviously demanded a special celebration. And what better way to uncoil than with family, food and laughter (lots and lots of laughter, thanks to my Brother-In-Law, who is an out of the world Storyteller), simmering glowing embers and of course, Barbeque...!!!

Cottage cheese, bell peppers, pineapple and mushrooms, onions, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes and the marinade, even the amazing December night of Hyderabad, all did their thing. And Boy! They all did it so well!

We were sitting in the soft glow of the beautifully decorated and decked up Christmas Tree, and the lighting was also in a relaxed holiday mood, so just one of the pics I took turned out decent enough for the blog. But I think that can tell its own story.

Take a look:

Often times I think, if it weren't for Family and Food, what else would Life really be all about...!!!

ME ready...!!!

Cake is ready, Cookies are ready, Snowflakes are also ready.
Christmas is peeping from just around the corner!

At this point, if someone were to turn me into a two-dimensional and put me down on paper in color, this is what I would look like - cap, shirt and all, probably even hair... :D

Merry Merry Christmas Y'all...!!!

CAKE ready...!!!

After the Snowflakes and the Cookies, the star of the evening - My Special Eggless HomeMade Oven fresh Christmas Cake is also ready...!!!

Dig in, everyone...

I really loved its perfect shape and its beautiful golden glow. And Mr. Husband gives it a thumbs up after the taste test. So I give myself a pat on the back :)

The pic seems slightly blurred, but my hands are shaky with excitement, and this is the best I could manage before the cake was disintegrated! :D

(I don't think I have ever been this thrilled about 25th December before. The credit totally goes to Bloggie Dearest, and more to all of you readers who make publishing these posts so much fun!)

It is a truly Merry Christmas... 

Wish us all so many more...!!!

Cookies ready...!!!

And since it is Christmas Eve, my homemade, oven fresh cookies are also ready !

Ginger-Raisin, Almond-Coconut and Cherry-Butter...

Have a Yummy Christmas Everyone...!!!

Snowflakes ready...!!!

Its Christmas Eve...

...and my quilled snowflakes are ready...!!!

Here they are...

(Now that I look at them here, they somehow look like quilled zentangles to me!)

Do you hear the jingle bells with me...? :)

Merry Christmas Y'all...!!!

Love At Every Sight...!!!

Dear Mr. Husband...

Just wanted to tell you that...

... with You, its Love At Every Sight...!!!

"MeghnAbhishek"

8" by 8", Pencil and a dash of Crayon on paper.

Stay Tuned, The Annual MeghnaSays... 2015 Awards Coming Soon...!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

The very first edition of 

The Annual MeghnaSays... 2015 Awards 

are Coming Soon...!!!

Awards..?? What Awards? What are they..? Who are they for..??

Well well... There will be an array of categories - like:

"Book Of The Year"

"TV Show Of The Year"

"Irritant Of The Year"...

And I am not spilling all the beans just yet...

Never before seen, never before heard!

All I can say is that it is going to be one helluva ride...and I am soooo excited about these awards!!

Stay tuned...and keep watching this space for more...!!!

10 Coolest Tips You Can't Stop Yourself From Trying Before 2015 Ends...!!!

As promised in the previous post, here is the Bonus Tip.

Extra newspapers? Magazines? Cardboards you aren't using? Give them away in Raddi. When you get some money back, you can use it for charity.

Better, for something I like to call: "Personalized Charity"

Here are some cool ideas about what you can do... 

• Buy a new dress for your maid. 
• Or buy some pens and books for her kids. 
• Buy shoes for a needy. 
• Give your building's watchman a Pizza treat. 
• Sponsor your maid/watchman/sweeper to a movie.
• Get a cold cream for your locality's sweeper and when you happen to run into her in the morning while you return from your walk, or you see her sweeping away your building in gusto when you step out to get your newspaper, give her a caring winter surprise. Googly woogly woosh...!! :)
• Get some packets of dry snacks — biscuits, chips, cupcakes, anything, and some water bottles handy at home. The next time any courier guy drops by to deliver that much awaited package shopped online, gift them some happiness too!
• Keep some candies in your handbag. Next time you visit a mall or a go for a movie, and when you happen to use the rest room, hand some out to the Help staff there. They may be hesitant at first, but you can tell them it's a special day for you and you just want their best wishes. This will put them at ease, and Oh! Their wishes go a long long way!
• Next time you visit your salon, or your hair stylist, give chocolates to the help staff there. And here I am talking about the people who really do the work, and not the front desk. 
• When you go to a restaurant, you always tip the waiters. This time, tip the watchman too. Almost certainly, you shall get the best, crispiest salute of all times!

(Just a head start... 

Smile your way into all of these performances. And use that real, big, bright, sunshine-ish smile of yours. One that helplessly makes the other person smile too! 

And if you know, it is super cool, if you don't, then try to find out the names of these people before you do something for them. Ask them. There is nothing people love more than their own names. And just by addressing them with their names, you have already made them feel so special! 

There you go! Well begun is half done!!

Now, many of you might be thinking: Am I practicing or only preaching...?!? 

Well, all of these ideas are tried and tested, and that is the only reason I could come up with these.)

"Little deeds of kindness

Little words of love

Can make this earth a paradise

Like the heaven above

For hands that help 

are holier than lips that pray

Take their names, give 'em a smile

And in their hearts, forever you shall stay...!!!"

6 Things To Unclutter Before 2016 Begins...!!!

All good things are just waiting to gatecrash into our lives...only if we make space for them - mentally, emotionally and well, physically.

Here is a quick list of things and places you might want to 'Declutter' before 2015 ends, so that there is ample space for new, better things to get into your life in the new 2016.

Of course, the joy and serenity you experience after this exercise, all along while adding a good deal to the karma basket (in case you decide to go philanthropic and donate the stuff you aren't using) is an absolute bonus. 

(Another thing that is an absolute bonus is the next post, which will be sort of a carry over to this one, and I think that has the coolest ideas ever published on this beloved blog of mine.)

So let's begin.

1. Honestly, I think this is the toughest part. Where and How to begin. So let's begin in the comfort zone. Our Wardrobes. 

Take some time out over a weekend and get to this task first thing in the morning, 'cuz that is the time when you are most energetic, and the enthusiasm is almost spilling. Have your morning cuppa, put on your favorite music and let's get started.

You can take everything out, clean the shelves and now start sorting and arranging. Separate the stuff that you haven't used in the last 2 months, or since the last 6 months. If it hasn't been used yet, it surely won't be missed when it is gone.

Upcycle it, if you can, or keep it away for charity. 

2. Let's go to the Cosmetics Dresser next. On the onset, check for expiry dates, and you can straight away get rid of that stuff. It is of no use. Period. For the remaining stuff, if you think you will be using it, stack it in some order based on their dates or usage. If not, it is best to give it away too!

3. Now comes the Shoe Rack. Anything that needs repairs, put it aside, and get it fixed in a day or two. Otherwise they will be back in their sorry state before you realize. If you aren't using any pairs, once again, it is best to give them away. Someone may keep blessing you till the time those shoes last. And maybe afterwards too.

4. Let's stroll past the Study now. Any stray papers? Documents? Pens with no refills? Useless invoices, old invitation cards, visiting cards you no more need, or some random flyers or pamphlets which at that time seemed the most important papers of planet Earth - just get rid of them. Whatever is remaining, stack them neatly and categorically. And stand there, awed at how spacious your book shelf or Study really is.

5. Tired of all the running around? Sit with your Smart Phone and Declutter it! Any apps, images, videos, that have been lying around for too long, just hit the delete button. This, I guess, would be a periodic exercise for most, but now is the time to be aggressive. Go ahead and delete all those messages from you ex. Out of sight IS out of mind. Check your phonebook, and you can even delete all the contacts that are occupying memory ONLY in your phone and nowhere else (read mind and heart). And don't worry. It is a very small world. If there is a need that you should connect with these people, or they have to connect with you, Social Media will always show a way.

6. Now let's spend some time in the Kitchen. [Time for a refill first. All this hard work would have left you starving! :) ] Then take a look at all the jars with expired dates. And you know what to do with them. Empty bottles, jars, cartons that haven't been used in a while and were 'hopefully' saved for later, throw them away. Pickles, ketchups and Jams you aren't using but which are still good, give them to someone who might. Some ceramic mugs or melamine plates, too old to use, or you are bored now and want to change them anyway, give them to someone in need.

And there...You have created so much space in your house and your life. 

Feeling lighter? I bet.

It is almost Zen.

When you get rid of all the dysfunctional things, you automatically start attracting functional stuff. And when you give away things with a heart that is brimming with happiness because others can use it, you place yourself at the receiving end of even better things that can make you happier !!

Give it away, 'cuz you aren;t using it.
Give it away, 'cuz someone else can.
Give it away, 'cuz you will make space for newer, better things.
Give it away, for the Joy of Giving, that will surely last your life span...!!!

(Don't forget to read the next post for 10 Coolest Ideas To Try Before 2015 Ends! )

First Attempt at Quilling...!!!

Made this Birthday card for Mom-in-Law a while ago using Quilling techniques. This was my first attempt at quilling that I finished till the end. And I am happy how it turned out.

Here goes:

I really find the birdhouse and the little birdie super cute. Mr. Husband liked the fence best. Mom-in-Law loved the whole thing!

Kiddie stuff..?? :) :) :)

Well, quoting G. K. Chesterton, 

"When being a Kid stops being fun, then I will grow up...!!!"

Magnolia-ish...!!!

Cleaning up my shelves especially around year end is a customary thing for me. And while doing that yesterday, I found this painting. This is the first painting I did after my marriage, so that makes it about 2 years old. And it was done with minimal means. We were just settling in the new house and there was hardly any of my painting stuff around.

These are the basic Rangeela water colors which can be easily found for as less as ten rupees, and the paper is the rejected sheet which was found in the folds of a new shirt of Mr. Husband. 

I was watching some online painting tutorial on YouTube, and that is where this inspiration came from. Some imaginary Magnolia-ish flowers...

Take a look:

[ The best thing about this painting: After seeing this, Mr. Husband realized my potential, and got me amazing new colors, canvases and a lot of other stuff for painting. And even inspired me to make my first canvas - of 30" X 30". I was now responsible to give that my best shot, lest I disappoint him. 

Thanks to Mr. Muse's blessings (http://meghnasays.blogspot.in/2015/12/the-mentor-muse.html) and Mr. Husband's inspiration, that painting is now possessed by the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Retd.), Hyderabad. So, well, I take it that I did far from disappointing him. :) And that makes me feel good...!!! ]

Sir Muse, once again...!!!

Another creation: 

Acrylics on Canvas, 12" X 12".

May He always be with Y'All...!!!

Mickey Madness...!!!

As the soft early sunshine caressed my feet while I was sipping piping hot tea in my Mickey Mug sitting on my workstation on a beautiful breezy December Sunday, all my foster kids (http://meghnasays.blogspot.in/2015/12/foster-kids-in-my-balcony.html) swaying cheerfully on my right, I was somehow teleported to my childhood. 

A vivid recollection of how every evening at 6, without fail, my brother and I would be found fixated on the television screen for 'D-D-D-D-DD-DD-Disney Hour', just swam, frame by frame, before my eyes. Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel and Sebastian, Balloo and Madam Mahalingam, and of course Mickey and Friends - Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Uncle Scrooge and his three quacky nephews - Oh! that was a beautiful world. And everything was so real. So believable. Mermaids existed, carpets could fly you around and we too wanted to earn so much that one day, we too could swim in gold coins whenever we'd feel busted by something called life.

I clearly recollected how the host Vishal would read letters sent from viewer kids like us from around the country, who would paint disney characters and make cards and write small poems and all just to express their love.

Unquestioningly, me and my brother also made a multitude of such paintings of our disney heroes, and sent many letters to the Zee Post Office - a cowboy Donald, a fairy Minnie and the wedding day of Aladdin and Jasmine - these are some of the paintings I still remember I made.

I think since then, I have always enjoyed drawing and painting Disney characters. 

Somehow, once again, I felt this strong urge to be childlike. And paint something Disney. Of course, this time, it wasn't for Disney Hour, but for the 'Man of the Hour' - Dear Mr. Husband, who was ingenuously sleeping in the next room, having the time of his dreams.

So, I drew up this cute little Mickey, painted it and strategically kept it on my pillow, such that it would be the first thing he'd see when he woke up.

I think the composition of the image, and the timing and placement, together did the trick. 

Here's what the finished product looked like:

Mr. Husband was so happy with this little surprise, he decided to take it to office with him and thumb-tack it on his desk's notice board. :D 

Thank you Disney, for making our childhood so much fun, dreamy and creative. And for introducing me to the joy of painting. Maybe, just maybe, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have known what colors mean to me...!!!

Foster Kids In My Balcony...!!!

A part of this weekend was dedicated to my foster kids - all the kids who live in happiness and harmony in my balcony container garden. :)

And ever since I did a post on Rio, where the topic of parenting-practice was first taken up (Ref: http://meghnasays.blogspot.in/2014/12/remember-dec-10-with-gabbarbaks-and-rio.html ), I have wanted to do a post on these kids of mine; that was around time when I actually got them all in my life. But I guess at that time they needed more attention and care than their pics taken. Now that all of my plants have grown up, I think they are ready for socializing.

Their history seeks some storytelling now. So here goes. I wanted to buy some plants for my balcony. When I sought help from my sister-in-law, an avid balcony gardener herself, she gave me the best surprise ever! Her friend who lived next door was trying to find a solution for her potted plants, because they were being subjected to constant ignore because of her incessant trips to Delhi and the US. And Zap! Within the next hour, these plants were all around in my car - in the back seat, in the trunk, in the space before the front seat, even in my lap.

And since they have come home, they are a source of constant joy. It is a real pleasure to take care of them. And an even greater one, to see them grow. All the theories I have read about making them listen to good music while watering them, and talking to them while attending them daily, seem to work bang on! They totally respond! It feels as if they are giving back love, times four. And that feeling, is beyond compare.

These plants are the oxygen of my life, the quiet of my meditation and the smile of all my mornings. They are also the best, freshest and most organic garnish for a lot of my dishes.

Here they are:

My princess 'Ixora' !!

The kids after their shower... :)

First batch of home grown fragrant Methi (Fenugreek)

First batch of home grown crisp green Dhaniya (Coriander)

No wonder Joyce Kilmer said,

"I think that I shall never see,

I poem as lovely as the tree...!!!"

Madhubani Radha...!!!

I discovered a while ago, that Indian folk arts and I have a thing going on.

Last year, when I tried my hand at Warli (You may scroll down the blog for some of those paintings, or check the sidebar), the experience was as deeply satisfying as was this time while trying Madhubani.

Madhubani, literally means 'Forest of Honey' (Madhu = Honey, Ban = Van = Forest), and Madhuban is considered a region in the Mithila area of Nepal and the northern part of Bihar. Madhubani paintings were originally done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib pens and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments. Now this art is easily found with acrylics on canvas, and even with water colors, for the sake of ease in handling and preservation.

Like other folk arts, Madhubani also widely depicts various celebrations and festivities, other than the everyday life of the glorious bygone era to which it belongs.

From the little that I have studied about Madhubani, Radha is my favorite muse, and Internet, in collaboration with National award winner Bharti D, my Guru Dronacharya.

This painting below was my first attempt at Madhubani, and I hope this marks the beginning of my 'Being Eklavya' series. I am guessing that the underlying idea for this series is self-explanatory.

For now, here is my first 'Madhubani Radha' - the epitome of beauty, grace and attitude, and despite being a part of the big painting, she seems so complete in herself that I couldn't resist bringing her on the blog.

Take a look:

It is an 8" by 10", water color and stains on paper.

I hope this 'thing' we have going on, me with the strokes and the washes, the colors and the hues, it all goes on a long way...!!!

Wow...!!!

Surprises... Yayy!

Surprise Gift...Super Yayy!!

As I was returning from my evening walk yesterday, all high on the dope called life, I got a call from the courier guy. He said he'd be coming over to deliver something in the next 10 minutes. I almost gambolled towards home, just to make sure that I reach in time for the delivery.

When I opened the package, it was a beautiful handicraft tray, sent by Khushboo and Ankit. The tray is hand painted and is embellished with acrylics and shine stones.

"To what do I owe this honor?", I chirped as I excitedly called them immediately to thank them.

The reply I got was,"it is a celebration of our friendship". 

And I was speechless.

When I asked them if they had visited my blog lately, they said they would do that now.

(So this means that both of them are unaware of the "celebration of friendship" that has been going on the blog for the last couple of days!)

Seriously, what goes around, comes around. And so soon. Wow...!!!

Here is what the tray looks like:

If anyone amongst the readers wants to take a closer look at this, or similar trays, you may check the following link:

http://www.spectrahut.com/handpaintedtray-servingtray-red.html

Meanwhile, I am trying to find a good spot to place this tray, so that it easily visible and accessible.

God bless Friends and Surprises! 
And especially Friends who give Surprises...!!! :)