Beautiful memories are real colors of life, isn't it?
Memories are those unforgettable moments of life where the soul cherishes the happiness of other souls around.
Childhood memories are sweeter, where we enjoyed life in full fun and joy...agree? those days, the fun is unlimited when friends and family around...I remember in the '90s almost every school plan the exams before festivals. More than holidays or Vacations, its festival celebrations. During the '90s, in a middle-class family, whether its housewife or working women with any budget in hand makes sure every member in the family [even extended sometimes]is satisfied. No nation will ever manage the budget as she does. Every soul in the family was happier whatever the budget was.
Isn't festivals are man-made? natural way of celebrating mankind in the name of GOD? we wear colorful dresses, pamper ourselves with tasty unique deserts for every different festival, decorate our houses, distribute sweets and special dishes to our loved and dear ones.
Photo Credits: Sundharadrusti
One such festival enjoyed by girls in the age between 8-11 is "Dasara", of course, Deepavali tops the list, however, Dasara is most specifically designed for girls. It creates a path to find friends, to showcase our skill in singing, reciting slogans and admire ways of celebration across families in our neighborhood. Navarathri - all 9 nights are celebrated in name of Goddesses. Such a carefully named and designed festival was this, Each emerging beautiful girls are introduced to the world beginning with our neighborhood. Its a beginning to accept every different way of other families. starting from the decoration, dolls, songs, gifts and of course that yummy "sundal". Girls discuss among their groups about the different houses they visited and the experiences they get. It's the mandatory space we make for those budding women, a courageous step towards the diversified society we have.
As kids we are always permitted in all aunties house with just a knock or a call "Mami / Mama..." we visit all houses we know with our kolu mates. We make friends with other streets Radha, Divya, Lakshmi to make sure we collect as much variety of "Sundal" and make a note to all kinds of dolls and garden/park made beside it.
Sometimes, I am accompanied by my brother to visit houses on behalf of my mom, u guessed it, he gets that extra "sundal" too.
Major discussion on these days would be around the number of steps we witnessed in each house, the variety of sundal" made on each day at each house, the decoration or arrangement of parks beside the steps. Dolls are always close to girls, we admire them the most, is smiling all the time, being colorful all through a decade, posing a strong character in hearts of all ages!
Photo Credits: Sundharadrusti
Witnessed, a mixed variety of dolls made of clay 90 % of them, porcelain, plaster of Paris, wooden...its a mother of eco-friendly system. The dressed and decorated black wooden doll of a boy and girl, The Kalasam with small coconut on top of a decorated pot along with mango leaves, Tall bold soldier in uniform, holding weapons on either side of kolu steps, musical band around a marriage set, Chettiar family with all his assets, Tanjore dancing doll [Thanjavur thalayatti bommey]all 3 devi's, ganesh - mandatory to be placed in all doll arrangements, Birds and animal pair's on each step, dasavatharam, ramar pattabhishegam, krishna leela's, Kailash nathar, Garuda seva of tirumala, Vishnu in Parkadal, Vishvaroopam - the most luxury kolu's will have this as its expensive and gigantic. the one doll still fascinates any visitor.
Along with these dolls arrangement in steps , varied from 3 , 5, 7 & 11, Decoration / building of our locals like, parks with benches, flowering plants, trees, mountains, farming lands with real mustard buds, temples, tanks, cricket matches, all types of vehicles inroads made in paper and paint, fences made with paper coloured with sketches, Fields created with natural buds of mustards. plastic fishes swim along in the man-made tanks..street lights made of wastes fascinates and pulls many visitors to a house.
There is a lot of work done around Dasara decorations. Each family contributes in its own way.
Each house kolu is unique, they have stories around the dolls too, some are gifted by loved ones, gifted from mothers place, brought when the family visited a holiday location, brought with much negotiation from a street vendor, preserved from grandmothers collections, Grandchildren's favorite collections, sometimes it's like antique collections. some dolls are preserved for 3 decades. Which is fresh memory each year for that family to remember their family roots.
Photo Credits: Sundharadrusti
How I experienced the process!
My mother would save a new traditional dress for this occasion. Preparations start almost a month before, we plan what to be a new collection this year.
We visit a place called Khadi Gramodhayog Bhavan - a government shop, every year the dolls are imported from other parts of India and a free exhibition is held.
Its a dream place for me. The numerous arrangement of dolls in every size. 80 % of dolls represent forms / incarnations / Leela of Vishnu / Shiva. Rest would be the life of simple farmers, sports, the individual pose of various gods and goddesses. All are prized and tagged. We usually but a set which includes 4-5 separate dolls in normal size, so it fits our steps width. Also, we consciously choose the face and new set every time. Hence our Kolu is full of new stories. These new will somehow find a place in the steps - I never saw my mom removing old dolls as we brought new ones. That's a real skill right?
I love to watch the packing of dolls, all picked dolls are verified twice for any fault or broken hands, then a box is found from behind the stands, each doll is rolled on the colorful pieces of papers, these are the waste from the printing press, the cutting edge of paper cuts. They also use dried grass to fill in the box.
once all dolls are counted and placed carefully into the carton box, it's tied with a strong rope. Ready for delivery. To Hold that box from the delivery stand to home is like holding the holy god himself for me. I carry with so soft and more love. Such a precious jewel it was! Got ready from morning to just see its packed and carried to home. the major excitement is to explain about the new doll to my dad and brother. All my eyes and hands not enough to speak about the beauty and choice of the doll. My brother would like to peek from the corner of the box/pack and somehow see the smallest part of the doll and wonder about it. Poor fellow never came with us, its a girls festival right!
The old dolls are taken from a big box in loft very carefully, sometimes along with tiny living being like mouse inside it. But the dolls were not damaged at all even once. but it ate the cloth wraps and fillers only. we clean it and make sure ready for re-filling once the festival is over.
unwrapping each doll and find the set/pair for it is an amazing job that starts just before the night of Dasara. We are work on this rejoicing work after dinner, It's me, my bro and mom, unwrap and arrange it on each step, [Wooden plank are made as steps and a white dhoti is spread across to cover the planks. So colorful dolls are sited so nicely with a white bg] without any foto, we remember each doll to be placed in which step and which side.
almost by midnight, we fold the cloths and wrap up for the day. Yes, of course, the Kolu has been arranged as gorgeous as last year!
So far it's only about dolls, there is a bigger excitement than this is to plan the park arrangements beside the kolu steps. It starts with the temple tank manufacture, yes we once made a concrete based tank with steps and painted it. What a great creation was for us. Me and my brother will hunt for sand and bring home in small portions. spread it across the border is the real beginning of the Kolu. Now the way for the vehicles are made with chart papers, with the remaining papers street lights are made. We grow mustards 3 days before the kolu begins, so the new buds are found on the sands spread. Kudos what an achievement to see the new buds in the morning. We celebrate with a loud shout out. Touch it and get glued to it all day. It's a pride moment. I am not at all exaggerating these, it's soo real feeling of us.
Small stones are picked and arranged and make sure we use wet soil to complete the hill and spatter the mustards and every day we used to water it nicely. un-invited guest - the red ants will be waiting for the seeds and buds. It didn't exist with our supervision. Finally, the fences are paper made and painted then the placing of houses trees, vehicles, workers, temple visitors. I missed the boats and fishes inside the tank !
Ah, the Kolu is completely ready for visitors now!
Every time it's such a colorful memory!
Photo Credits: Sundharadrusti
Memories are those unforgettable moments of life where the soul cherishes the happiness of other souls around.
Childhood memories are sweeter, where we enjoyed life in full fun and joy...agree? those days, the fun is unlimited when friends and family around...I remember in the '90s almost every school plan the exams before festivals. More than holidays or Vacations, its festival celebrations. During the '90s, in a middle-class family, whether its housewife or working women with any budget in hand makes sure every member in the family [even extended sometimes]is satisfied. No nation will ever manage the budget as she does. Every soul in the family was happier whatever the budget was.
Isn't festivals are man-made? natural way of celebrating mankind in the name of GOD? we wear colorful dresses, pamper ourselves with tasty unique deserts for every different festival, decorate our houses, distribute sweets and special dishes to our loved and dear ones.
One such festival enjoyed by girls in the age between 8-11 is "Dasara", of course, Deepavali tops the list, however, Dasara is most specifically designed for girls. It creates a path to find friends, to showcase our skill in singing, reciting slogans and admire ways of celebration across families in our neighborhood. Navarathri - all 9 nights are celebrated in name of Goddesses. Such a carefully named and designed festival was this, Each emerging beautiful girls are introduced to the world beginning with our neighborhood. Its a beginning to accept every different way of other families. starting from the decoration, dolls, songs, gifts and of course that yummy "sundal". Girls discuss among their groups about the different houses they visited and the experiences they get. It's the mandatory space we make for those budding women, a courageous step towards the diversified society we have.
As kids we are always permitted in all aunties house with just a knock or a call "Mami / Mama..." we visit all houses we know with our kolu mates. We make friends with other streets Radha, Divya, Lakshmi to make sure we collect as much variety of "Sundal" and make a note to all kinds of dolls and garden/park made beside it.
Sometimes, I am accompanied by my brother to visit houses on behalf of my mom, u guessed it, he gets that extra "sundal" too.
Major discussion on these days would be around the number of steps we witnessed in each house, the variety of sundal" made on each day at each house, the decoration or arrangement of parks beside the steps. Dolls are always close to girls, we admire them the most, is smiling all the time, being colorful all through a decade, posing a strong character in hearts of all ages!
Witnessed, a mixed variety of dolls made of clay 90 % of them, porcelain, plaster of Paris, wooden...its a mother of eco-friendly system. The dressed and decorated black wooden doll of a boy and girl, The Kalasam with small coconut on top of a decorated pot along with mango leaves, Tall bold soldier in uniform, holding weapons on either side of kolu steps, musical band around a marriage set, Chettiar family with all his assets, Tanjore dancing doll [Thanjavur thalayatti bommey]all 3 devi's, ganesh - mandatory to be placed in all doll arrangements, Birds and animal pair's on each step, dasavatharam, ramar pattabhishegam, krishna leela's, Kailash nathar, Garuda seva of tirumala, Vishnu in Parkadal, Vishvaroopam - the most luxury kolu's will have this as its expensive and gigantic. the one doll still fascinates any visitor.
Along with these dolls arrangement in steps , varied from 3 , 5, 7 & 11, Decoration / building of our locals like, parks with benches, flowering plants, trees, mountains, farming lands with real mustard buds, temples, tanks, cricket matches, all types of vehicles inroads made in paper and paint, fences made with paper coloured with sketches, Fields created with natural buds of mustards. plastic fishes swim along in the man-made tanks..street lights made of wastes fascinates and pulls many visitors to a house.
There is a lot of work done around Dasara decorations. Each family contributes in its own way.
Each house kolu is unique, they have stories around the dolls too, some are gifted by loved ones, gifted from mothers place, brought when the family visited a holiday location, brought with much negotiation from a street vendor, preserved from grandmothers collections, Grandchildren's favorite collections, sometimes it's like antique collections. some dolls are preserved for 3 decades. Which is fresh memory each year for that family to remember their family roots.
How I experienced the process!
My mother would save a new traditional dress for this occasion. Preparations start almost a month before, we plan what to be a new collection this year.
We visit a place called Khadi Gramodhayog Bhavan - a government shop, every year the dolls are imported from other parts of India and a free exhibition is held.
Its a dream place for me. The numerous arrangement of dolls in every size. 80 % of dolls represent forms / incarnations / Leela of Vishnu / Shiva. Rest would be the life of simple farmers, sports, the individual pose of various gods and goddesses. All are prized and tagged. We usually but a set which includes 4-5 separate dolls in normal size, so it fits our steps width. Also, we consciously choose the face and new set every time. Hence our Kolu is full of new stories. These new will somehow find a place in the steps - I never saw my mom removing old dolls as we brought new ones. That's a real skill right?
I love to watch the packing of dolls, all picked dolls are verified twice for any fault or broken hands, then a box is found from behind the stands, each doll is rolled on the colorful pieces of papers, these are the waste from the printing press, the cutting edge of paper cuts. They also use dried grass to fill in the box.
once all dolls are counted and placed carefully into the carton box, it's tied with a strong rope. Ready for delivery. To Hold that box from the delivery stand to home is like holding the holy god himself for me. I carry with so soft and more love. Such a precious jewel it was! Got ready from morning to just see its packed and carried to home. the major excitement is to explain about the new doll to my dad and brother. All my eyes and hands not enough to speak about the beauty and choice of the doll. My brother would like to peek from the corner of the box/pack and somehow see the smallest part of the doll and wonder about it. Poor fellow never came with us, its a girls festival right!
The old dolls are taken from a big box in loft very carefully, sometimes along with tiny living being like mouse inside it. But the dolls were not damaged at all even once. but it ate the cloth wraps and fillers only. we clean it and make sure ready for re-filling once the festival is over.
unwrapping each doll and find the set/pair for it is an amazing job that starts just before the night of Dasara. We are work on this rejoicing work after dinner, It's me, my bro and mom, unwrap and arrange it on each step, [Wooden plank are made as steps and a white dhoti is spread across to cover the planks. So colorful dolls are sited so nicely with a white bg] without any foto, we remember each doll to be placed in which step and which side.
almost by midnight, we fold the cloths and wrap up for the day. Yes, of course, the Kolu has been arranged as gorgeous as last year!
So far it's only about dolls, there is a bigger excitement than this is to plan the park arrangements beside the kolu steps. It starts with the temple tank manufacture, yes we once made a concrete based tank with steps and painted it. What a great creation was for us. Me and my brother will hunt for sand and bring home in small portions. spread it across the border is the real beginning of the Kolu. Now the way for the vehicles are made with chart papers, with the remaining papers street lights are made. We grow mustards 3 days before the kolu begins, so the new buds are found on the sands spread. Kudos what an achievement to see the new buds in the morning. We celebrate with a loud shout out. Touch it and get glued to it all day. It's a pride moment. I am not at all exaggerating these, it's soo real feeling of us.
Small stones are picked and arranged and make sure we use wet soil to complete the hill and spatter the mustards and every day we used to water it nicely. un-invited guest - the red ants will be waiting for the seeds and buds. It didn't exist with our supervision. Finally, the fences are paper made and painted then the placing of houses trees, vehicles, workers, temple visitors. I missed the boats and fishes inside the tank !
Ah, the Kolu is completely ready for visitors now!
Every time it's such a colorful memory!
Fantastic..had written very lively and joy expressed in celebration of this lovely festival during child hood days without missing anything almost..nice narrative...one thing just to mention is moms used to dress girls as wished and send to invite other homes ..also it engages kids all 9days with religious and sharing festival...keep going..
ReplyDeleteOh Yes ! Thanks a lot , hope you enjoyed too. Keep watching , more been cooking.
DeleteWonderful!!! Navratri is a colourful festival for all ages... not only girls, even boys are showing keen interest in arranging dolls and in other preparations... keep writing!
ReplyDeleteyes, all male have a female heart too. I agree !
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