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. Â
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
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