Autumn in India is pretty muted, with leaves turning a stark dark green and and trees a darker brown. In the south, Yellow flowers fall off creating a soft velvety carpet on the roads waiting to be washed down by the south East monsoon. This monsoon often brings in cyclones making the atmosphere a moody blue, a slushy brown and gray – infact almost colorless. So we tend to make up for it, by dressing our brightest and loudest best for the entire gamut of festivals that are celebrated during this period (regardless of the religion they belong too) like Ganesh Chaturti, Janmasthami, Onam, Bakrid, Muharram and Karthigai apart from Diwali and Navaratri.
Navaratri and Diwali, are the two most important festivals of the year which are a riot of colors with the aforementioned bright ethnic clothes and fine jewelry. To make sure that our houses dont get left behind we put up displays of dolls, add streamers and lights and draw kolams and rangoli in front on our houses. This is the Indian Autumn Color Palette that I can relate too. Warm and ethnic with yellows, reds and green, with strong blues and a dash of brown. Pink and purple peep in playing fun accents with gold and silver. Yup that’s the whole spectrum right there and its the most colorful part of the year.
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| A very tired me posing next to this year Navaratri Golu – Doll Display |
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| 2013 Karthigai Flower Rangoli |
Bhairav Raga
Parent Raga: Bhairav raga
Wives: Bhairavi, Bilawali, Punyaki, Bangli, Aslekhi.
Sons: Pancham, Harakh, Disakh, Bangal, Madhu, Madhava, Lalit, Bilaval.
Bhairav raga Necklace- Image of Shiva seeking bikshai (alms) decoupaged and glazed in 32g brass handcut sheet with bead danglers, aptly adorned with rudraksha seed beads and coordinating yellow glass beads. Rudraksha (Holy seed of E. ganitrus species) represents Shiva and is often strung together in prayer malas. Bhairav raga was historically associated with glory and awe, but became identified with peace and devotion.Carnatic equivalent -Mayamalava Gowla
Bhairavi necklace – This asymmetrical bead necklace in maroon, blue and green with sarafa closure has a handcut brass moppu of Bhairavi praying to Lord Bhairav in the form of linga. The second focal is a mini kemp rakodi. Bhairavi ragini is the foremost wife of Bhairav raga and is sung after midnight or early morning; Carnatic equivalent -Hanumatodi
The Above piece was a festive hit and recreated again but many who saw it thought it was too big and wanted a similar feel and same image but in a smaller and less chunkier avatar. So I made a Mini piece of Bhairavi using Glass and crystal beads in the same red – blue – green color combo with Bhairavi ragini resin pendant in shiny silver bezel.
So that was a small tour of my Autumn celebrations and crafts, I hope you found it interesting. I Wish you all great autumn festivities and a very happy Halloween. Now I am off to Rita’s blog to check out what the other participants have posted and then have a great sunday meal. I hope that you’ll join me too on visiting all the blogs. Find the full list here
33 responses to “Octoberfest and Indian Autumn”
Thank you for this great tour of your Autumn celebrations and the jewelry associated to it. It is always so colorful and meaningful.
Thanks Karin, I am glad you found it interesting
Well, I certainly found out so much about your colorful festivals. I have to admit, the most I knew about Indian culture, I learned when I fell in love with Punjabi MC and was introduced to bhangra music. From there, I came to love the bhangra dancing which is a while of color and a pulsation of music. I am happy to learn so much more.
Wow, that was so interesting, thank you for sharing your autumn festivals with us. The jewellery is so pretty, so meaningful and so unique.
This is fascinating! I put this in the category of stuff I didn't know that I didn't know. This is what I truly love about blog hops that can span the globe. Not only do you get to view lovely visual inspiration, but the history and cultural significance and influence of it all. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Divya, I really enjoyed learning about your autumn customs. Thanx. Your necklaces are beautiful.
Thank you so much for joining in! I enjoyed seeing Fall in India. Great pics, jewelry and information.
Oh I love your jewelry!! It makes me homesick to India. Beautiful
That's it exactly! You did a wonderful job of sharing the beauty of autumn where you are. Beautiful pieces, I'm so glad you hopped with us!
Thank you for the tour of your celebrations, it was wonderful to read and very interesting. I love your jewelry, everything was beautiful.
What a great explosion of colours! They all look really great 🙂 I especially love your use of yellow in your Bhairav raga Necklace (yellow being the one colour I am really, struggling with).
Oh I used to struggle a lot with yellow too – when I first bought these beads, I didnt know what to do with them. Eventually I got over it – try pairing yellow with orange, or green or brown – it usually works
Thanks, I loved visiting your blog too
Thanks Shaiha, am glad that you found it interesting
come for a visit soon!!
Yes its fascinating that way, I have been introduced to many techniques, products and ideas via hops than any other channel – thanks for visiting my blog
This was really cool to read and learn!!! Thank you so much! I love your designs. Have a Blessed Day!
Lovely jewellery in the vibrant colors I absolutely adore ! It`s always so interesting reading your post ,and , this time too ,I really enjoyed myself reading about our Indian festivals , through your eyes 🙂
haaa 🙂 I hope I didnt westernise or generalise it too much
Well Bhangra is kinda like country music while hindustani and carnatic are classical like Jazz or old school music
Interesting post Divya… with something new to learn. Thank you for sharing.
Your necklaces are gorgeous… with lovely color combinations, and the focals are amazing.
How nice it is, to read all the information you give us. You tell me about a lot of things I did not know at all! Love the story, the colours and the jewellery especially…
I enjoyed reading about your customs and seeing your pictures. I love your wonderful jewelry. Well done!
Happy Diwali and Happy New year to you, your pieces are fabulous!!
Loved all the color and pictures. the Jewelry is fabulos. I especially like the large piece with its Blue, Green and Red.
Lovely colours
Lovely jewelry Divya..my favorite is bhairavi necklace I love the combination of maroon and blue beads and the pendent shape.. Beautiful golu display and you look gorgeous 🙂
thanks Radhika, Bhairavi is one of my favourite pieces too
I enjoyed reading about how music is tied into seasonal changes and Indian celebrations. Your jewelry pieces are really nice. I like the Bhairavi.
I am so glad you decided to participate. It is fun to see autumn from another perspective. I love the beautiful colors of your jewelry. Each piece is very beautiful.
[…] previous posts on the other Raga Families here: What is Ragamala? Bhairav Raga Megh […]
[…] other posts on the other Raga Families here: What is Ragamala? Bhairav Raga – Raga of Autumn Megh Raga -Raga of monsoon season Malkaus Raga – Raga of Winter Hindol Raga – Raga of […]
[…] I’ll post details on one family of Raga and the pieces inspired by it every week. Find the first post of the series here, on Bhairav Raga as a part of the octoberfest Autumn celebrations here […]