the thought of penning this blog arose when a Professor casually remarked, "While I was on a trip to china, a lady asked me Why do Indian women apply Bindi ? I replied Just like that!!". I was a little disturbed that the reasoning of our day to day practise is taking a back seat
The ancient Hindu practise of applying kumkum are as old as the Vedas themselves.
The area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to be the sixth chakra, agni, the seat of "concealed wisdom". According to followers of Tantrism, this chakra is the exit point for kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It is also said to protect against demons or bad luck.
The Bindi is an integral part of the Indian Tradition. It is not a prerogative of the women , it is applied by the men as well. This age old practise while protecting the enrgy flow - well those days people did mediatate a lot thus leading a better life than what we do today- also added lakshanam to the person who spotted the bindi or kumkum.
The beauty of this practise is taking a back seat with the current generation giving more importance to the westewrn look. I am definetly not against women wearing western clothes but doing away with the Bindi is little disheartening. If the westerns too had the practise of spotting the Bindi, then the Bindi might have found its way in accessories of Western clothing. Unless the pop culture of the West adopts this feature, the Urban woman might side line the Bindi !! :)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Kolam - Rangoli
Hi all,
This is my first blog.
I was born in a family where traditons and culture were given lots of importance. My early days were spent in around Mylapore , Madras. I used to love the early mornings and evenings. Coz it gave me a chance to unleash my creativity with white powder usually called the Kolapodi right on the streets!. What fun it was !!. Actually coming to think of it, it was an individuals contirbution in keeping the environment neat and clean!.
The procedure was something like this . The front portion of the house was swept well . A little cowdung was mixed in a litre of water and sprinkled. Then the kolam or rangoli was neatly drawn.. Some kept Thazhambhu/champa at the centre of the kolam /rangoli. The same was repeated in the evening.
As I grew up.. the cowdungwater gave way to ordinary water and drawing rangoli in the evening vanished.
Initially this was practised by the woman of the house, later the job was delegated to the servants . The early morning practise gave to mid morning practise and slowly vanished. We can see such kolams only in very few streets of Chennai today. What with the high rise buildings and sticker kolams..
My Mom used to say that,"By following the practise of rangoli, one discplines the mind especially when you draw pulli kolmas( Rangolis that require dots- Pulli means dots).Because even if you make a one wrong thread the entire kolam goes awry ! Also the intricate drawings by the fingers gave the necessary exercise. In addition, you contribute your might in keeping the environment clean".
there are many stories where in woman have attained mokshas by regularly drawing Kolams inviting the blessings og the Godess and Gods.
Scientifically it's proven that the Cowdung water keeps insects away. Yes it not only an insect repellant but is also a excellent mosquito repellent( Today it is used by many companies to produce repellants !! ) Our forefathers had a reason for such practises.
This is my first blog.
I was born in a family where traditons and culture were given lots of importance. My early days were spent in around Mylapore , Madras. I used to love the early mornings and evenings. Coz it gave me a chance to unleash my creativity with white powder usually called the Kolapodi right on the streets!. What fun it was !!. Actually coming to think of it, it was an individuals contirbution in keeping the environment neat and clean!.
The procedure was something like this . The front portion of the house was swept well . A little cowdung was mixed in a litre of water and sprinkled. Then the kolam or rangoli was neatly drawn.. Some kept Thazhambhu/champa at the centre of the kolam /rangoli. The same was repeated in the evening.
As I grew up.. the cowdungwater gave way to ordinary water and drawing rangoli in the evening vanished.
Initially this was practised by the woman of the house, later the job was delegated to the servants . The early morning practise gave to mid morning practise and slowly vanished. We can see such kolams only in very few streets of Chennai today. What with the high rise buildings and sticker kolams..
My Mom used to say that,"By following the practise of rangoli, one discplines the mind especially when you draw pulli kolmas( Rangolis that require dots- Pulli means dots).Because even if you make a one wrong thread the entire kolam goes awry ! Also the intricate drawings by the fingers gave the necessary exercise. In addition, you contribute your might in keeping the environment clean".
there are many stories where in woman have attained mokshas by regularly drawing Kolams inviting the blessings og the Godess and Gods.
Scientifically it's proven that the Cowdung water keeps insects away. Yes it not only an insect repellant but is also a excellent mosquito repellent( Today it is used by many companies to produce repellants !! ) Our forefathers had a reason for such practises.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)