Mahissaasuramardini or Dashabhuja-in-the-kitchen ..... dedicated to my Mum!

Mahissaasuramardini - in the kitchen!

This project began as a concept for a website background for Mike. You see, Mike is a chef extra-ordinanaire ! And a food stylist... and a huge portfolio that is forever expanding with the years! 

And yet, I could not bring myself to make it without the traditional aspect of Maa Durga, !! 

There is something about growing up as a "probashi bangali" or an expat Bengali and being woken up to the strains of the Mahisasuramardini on a LP vinyl in the wee hours of Mahalaya, the first of the ten days that marks the traditions of Durga Puja. 

Ayi Giri Nandini Nandita-medini Vishva-Vinodini Nandini-nute

Giri-Vara-Vindhya-Shiro-Adhi-Nivaasini Vissnu-Vilaasini Jissnu-Nute I

Bhagavati He Shiti-Kannttha - Kutumbini Bhuri-Kuttumbini Bhuri-Krte

Jaya Jaya He Mahissaasura-Mardini-Ramya-Kapardini Shaila-Sute II1II

It was a rite of passage almost! Not sure whether that really imbibed into my psyche as much as remained as a memory! I am not much given to traditions and rituals, but growing away from these traditions which most resident Bengalis take so seriously, is a mixed bag of emotions and a fair share of detachment for me! ?I still love chants and the sound of the "dhaak", the traditional drums associated with the celebrations..... I guess for me that is the essence of the Durga Pujas.

But coming back to the Dashabhuja or Mahisasuramardini in the kitchen project.... the inspiration came from Devjani's Facebook profile pic! A silhouette! The end result is that it reminds of watching Mum in the kitchen, as she rushed about cooking up a veritable storm!!! Time and again! 

Hope I have done it justice!

Love you Maani!

Anin

Swan - Symbol of Inner Grace, Balance, Commitment and Intuition

When I begun to look for the symbolism of the Swan in traditions across the world, the description I loved the most was that which described it as the Soul, our very essence, in the Celtic tradition. That somehow meant I was on the right track in my journey! Both spiritually as well as in my choice of first independent project in Quilling. I loved this sketch of the graceful bird, what remained to be seen was how best could I do justice to it. 

But what I read about it, took my breath away - 

A swan's  wisdom includes awakening the power of self, balance, grace, inner beauty, innocence, self-esteem, understanding dream symbols, seeing into the future, understanding spiritual evolution, developing intuitive abilities, divination, grace in dealing with others and commitment.


A representation of grace and beauty on many levels, a swan is associated with love, poetry and music. The swan was sacred to Venus, the love Goddess in Roman Mythology and depicted as singing to a lyre in the Greek tradition. Grace does not mean only the ability to live a balanced life, it is also being able to be at home in many planes of reality, to see that we are more than we appear to be - both physical and spiritual beings. We are souls having a human experience. It is said that a swan's entry into your life signals a time of altered states of awareness and the development of intuitive abilities, for those with this gift have the inherent ability to see the future and to accept the healing change that is starting in their lives. To accept this, helps to move with the flow. Listen to your inner knowledge and intuitions and the Swan will work through you! The swan's voice teaches the mysteries of song and poetry, for these touch our inner child and also our inner beauty.
Just as a swan does not dive into water like other birds when feeding but skim the water dipping their long necks in and out and water is linked with the feminine intuition and emotion, by following the swan's example we learn how to view our emotions without getting trapped by them. Our intuition helps us comprehend our feelings and the swan helps us process them. 

They are dedicated partners. So by following swans lead, we will begin to respect what we have chosen and to follow things through. 

The large wings of the swan in the sky gather and store knowledge from the Great Spirit. Their white plumage reminds us of the dazzling beauty and innocence found in the purity of the Great Spirit and their long graceful necks act as a bridge between the ordinary and the extra ordinary. This is the bridge of wisdom for spiritual realization.
~~~~~

I do not know what my power animal is and somehow that does not really bother me. I choose to take this project as a sign of the entry of the Swan into my life, compelling me to be happy and grateful of and for the physical body and intuitive mind. 

This piece is dedicated to my dear friend Richa, who suddenly dropped right back into my life, patiently helping me as I struggle to get back "on the wagon", so to speak.


So here's to cherishing the journey....! 

xoxo
Anin

An 18th Century art form transcends time and cultures

Sometimes in the search of some thing more meaningful, your life transforms when you stumble into a simple way to beat the blues...... 

The past years had transformed my time into no longer something I had any control over. I worked, I battled ill-health, I partied ....  I was suddenly a single mum with a teenage son, who had had to give up on her passion of art or creativity simply because there was just never any time. I have always been amused with folks who made their New Year resolutions and never kept at them after the first month! Well, this year I promised myself, I would make time for myself, I would take care of my health and yes, I would certainly get back to indulging myself in the arts. 

As in my last post, I said that I "happily stumbled" into Quilling while looking for a gift for a little tween. Today a month later, I find myself hankering for more and more time to myself to indulge in this amazing art form. It has transformed the way I thought about expressing through art. As again on this journey, I came across this blog with the history of Quilling.....

Quilling-the-new-old-art-form


If someone were to ever track my posts on this blog (there aren't that many any more since I took off all my poetry), it will be so obvious where my life has turned again! 

This is dedicated to my passion for life..... to live it the best that I know how .... and to spirituality, the very essence of my journey!

Love
Anindita