Yarn bombing of a religious sort

Yarn bombing is not a new phenomena in India I've discovered.

There's a Banyan tree in the apartment complex where I live and on its prop roots are wound threads dyed yellow and red. The tree itself is smeared with turmeric and kum kum both have significant roles to play in Hindu religious rituals.

 My curiosity and some preliminary research on the net reveals that  childless women worship the banyan tree but I haven't been able to find out if this wrapping of thread around the banyan tree is part of the ritual.

Another story from the Mahabharath tells the story of Savitri who lost her husband one year after their wedding near a banyan tree. She followed the god of death Yama to the land of the dead and managed to get her husband his life.In memory of this event hindu women go around the banyan tree and tie seven threads or strings around it.By doing this the women are trying to bind immortality to their married life and protecting themselves from widowhood which is probably the worst fate imaginable for a large proportion of Indian women.

I like this thread which has these fluffy bead like bits. Never seen it before or come across trees wrapped with thread and decorated with turmeric, kum kum and marigold flowers.

While searching for information on the net I came across this inspiring story.

Indigo - Roy G Biv 2014

Indigo coloured tiles in the centre of a table at a popular restaurant.

This is the only Indigo I could find. Such a beautiful colour yet so difficult to find.

Julie and Jennifer will have a list of all the Indigo hunters. The tour of the participating blogs should be very enjoyable.

Are you following the World Cup Football in Brazil and watching the football matches on television? Half way round the world in India these unearthly hours leaves me yawning all day long. Once in four years, one simply can't complain :)

Simply love the Google doodles for the World Cup 2014 and look there's some indigo there as well!

Tamil English Slang - e,f,g and h

The Tamil English alphabet is progressing well.

The next four letters of Tamil English slang.

e - is for empty. - adjective. \ yemp-tee\
definition - as in empty biryani. Biryani rice without pieces of chicken or mutton.

f - is for figure - noun. \fig-er\
definition - a beautifulor sexy girl.

g - is for gym body - phrase. \Jimbaadi\
definition - usually pronounced as a single word, 'jimbaadi', refers to someone whose physique is relatively well honed. If you are stout but not fat and do not have a very visible paunch then a tight t-shirt will also do the trick.

h- is for hot drinks.
definition -an alcoholic beverage.

Missed out on a,b, c, and d then click here.
To view more exciting interpretations of the alphabet in ALAW 2014 click here.


If you're shopping on line via Amazon or Flipkart. I would appreciate it if you would click on the Amazon or Flipkart banners in the side bar and make your purchases.
 As an affiliate, Flipkart and Amazon will pay me a small percentage of the total amount spent. You will not be paying anything extra. Thank you.

Folk textiles - Kaudi - a hand stitched patchwork quilt

While doing chores in the neighbourhood I spied these two patchwork kaudis or quilts spread out on a low wall.   

They must belong to families of migrant construction workers building a house close by. The quilts are put out to air in the sun.   

The women have pieced together old sarees, bits and pieces from other old clothing and probably cutting waste from the local tailor. 

 They usually have two or more layers of fabric. Running stitch done with white thread holds the layers of fabric together.

Neat lines of running stitch are worked in concentric rectangles. At the corners the stitches are a bit more haphazard,I wonder why? Must find out.

 This ones has patches which must come from old sarees.The orange pieces of fabric have a border of paisleys in maroon, yellow and white. Old sarees made soft with wash and wear make soft kaudis.

 There's a hole in this one.Will it be patched to extend the use of the quilt?

The cotton is worn to shreds and there's just a tangle of cotton fibers held down for the time being with running stitch.

Read more about kaudi's here and about Kantha which is another folk textile and a thrift craft click here.
If you would like to buy a kaudi I'm selling kaudi throws at Studio Ebony in Whitefiled, Bangalore, if you would like to buy a kaudi.
Studio Ebony

• Lake View Farm, Varthur Main Road, 
• Ramagondanahalli, WhiteField
• Bangalore, India 560066
• Open : Tue - Sun 10.30 -18.00

If you're shopping on line via Amazon or Flipkart. I would appreciate it if you would click on the Amazon or Flipkart banners in the side bar and make your purchases.
 As an affiliate, Flipkart and Amazon will pay me a small percentage of the total amount spent. You will not be paying anything extra. Thank you.