| Author | Content |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 11, 2006
07:02 AM Post #2492336
| It is called "Rangoli". A particular rock is powdered to make this coarse powder. Not exactly like talcum. So it is a tradition to decorate by drawing designs in front of house's front door on the floor. This one is for a festival, made indoors, in front of the worship place. My mother was very skilled. She makes stencils of designs and then puts that powder in colours where she wants it. The uniformity and neatness is remarkable. How I wish there were colour pictures could be taken in the 1970's when she was at her peak! These are B&W pictures. She does the art by hand using the thumb and index fingers. Untouched by any object or instrument! That's the speciality.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 11, 2006
07:04 AM Post #2492340
| Here she is. She's about 40 here and now she is 70. We teased her during this photo session as we got her to pose and that's why that unusual smile there. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Woofens
Dillonvale, OH
(Zone 6a)
July 11, 2006
12:31 PM Post #2493247
| Dinu, you share the greatest things! Thanks so much for sharing this :)
Janis |
tgif
Starkville, MS
 July 11, 2006
12:37 PM Post #2493276
| Dinu - please say that you learned this special art and can carry it forward!!!!! It is so beautiful. It would be a shame to lose it. |
pebble
Bodrum
Turkey
(Zone 10a)
July 11, 2006
02:18 PM Post #2493643
| Dinu, I agree with woofens, you share the most amazing things with us. Things that we never would learn about. thank you.
Your mother looks like a lovely lady, I remember seeing pictures of her at her present age. I think you had a picture with several generations, your wife and daughter were in it too.
Keep sharing Dinui...thank you! |
Badseed
Lynchburg, OH
(Zone 6a)
July 11, 2006
02:28 PM Post #2493676
| How beautiful! Thank you for sharing Dinu. I am always intrigued and impressed when people from outside of the US share their cultures and way of life and now art as well. These are things I might likely never see otherwise. Your mother is as lovely as her artwork.
I'll never forget one of the first photos that made me come to know you. It was a photo of an elephant walking down the road near your home I think. |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 12, 2006
12:22 AM Post #2495847
| Badseed,
Those elephants were inside my compound, before my garden came up! We had just moved in to that house then. Later, more recently, I had posted a couple of camels walking on the street. With a Digital Camera in hand my shyness to click pictures in public should also reduce!! If that happens, you'll see more and more pictures from here! I think I'm on the way, but thanks to my friends here on DG for all the help extended to me in various ways.
Pebble,
The picture you are referring was that of my grandmother (my mother's mom) with 5 generations. In that, my mother's sister's generations were posing. I think I had posted my mom's picture more recently in March this year. She's losing her teeth slowly and there are two in the front that sometimes presents a 'bunny smile'. She won't smile with that if she sees me with the camera! LOL. My d's also make a bit of fun with that and she too seems to enjoy that.
tgif,
I don't know the art as it is considered a Lady's art. My elder daughter is quite efficient. Competetions are held at times, but unfortunately, we don't have time to take part. My mom's enthusiasm reduced, after losing my dad in 1981. Will try to click pix if anything is done during this year's festival season (coming up in a couple of months).
Janis,
Oh yes, it's a pleasure to share such things.
Dinu
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woodspirit1
Lake Toxaway, NC
(Zone 7a)
July 12, 2006
08:14 AM Post #2496382
| We are seeing on the news the stories of the train that was blown up. It is so worrisome. I think of India as a peace-loving nation. Who do you think would do such a thing and why? I hope you are safe. |
woodspirit1
Lake Toxaway, NC
(Zone 7a)
July 12, 2006
08:20 AM Post #2496393
| If your camera has a wrist strap, be sure to use it all the time. Here is what happened when I dropped my camera. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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hope43
Tulsa, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 12, 2006
10:14 PM Post #2499531
| thats so wonderful and wonderful to see your Mother than to..enjoyed seeing this art..
woodspirit if thats from dropping how awesome that picture is... |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 13, 2006
02:46 AM Post #2500354
| Thanks woodspirit. Things are thought to be safe down here. Security measures are beefed up.
Yes, my camera - a pocket model - has a strap. I wind it around my fingers. But at times, I have to be using my extra lenses for close-up shots -- again, my own methods as this is such a basic camera! So, one hand will be holding the lens in front of the camera lens and the other will be holding the camera with the index finger on the click button. I feel for those stripes after the fall! No LOL! But those stripes are nice and you never wanted them. Thanks for the warning. |
gardenwife
Newark, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 16, 2006
09:40 AM Post #2511485
| Hi, Dinu! The stenciled art your mother did is beautiful. I wish we could have seen them in color, too! You have some precious memories in the photos, even in black and white. |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 17, 2006
01:33 AM Post #2514358
| Thanks Kim. Probably because they are in B&W, they have remained for so long. Those days, owning a camera was considered a luxury. In 1970, we bought a box camera and no flash. So, only outdoor pictures were possible. Each filmroll (that red paper) could take only 12 shots. I have a couple of other box cameras that belonged to someone. One was an Agfa and the other one.. ? Will post their pix later.
Dinu |
billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
July 21, 2006
08:49 PM Post #2532823
| So beautiful Dinu. How long do they last?
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Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 24, 2006
03:04 AM Post #2540796
| As long as we keep them protetected. Usually it was removed after a couple of weeks. In fact, it was being for the festival in the name of the Godess of Wealth. The design is made in front of the place where the Godess' picture is kept for worship. In the evening of that day, Ladies of the area are invited to the house. People actually looked forward to this festival as they could see such art here in our house. It was appreciated by all. It was a really wonderful time.
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billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
July 24, 2006
06:47 PM Post #2543499
| You always have something unique and interesting Dinu!
Tell your mother I'm in awe of her talent!
I'm so sorry she lost her husband, and you your Dad. |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 25, 2006
01:34 AM Post #2545291
| Thanks Billy. I'll tell you one thing: Billy (same pronounciation in Hindi language) means Cat. LOL.
The four different bottles my mother is keeping are of Pond's Cream - suitable after it is empty, for keeping this coloured powder. The lotus flower is one of her favourite designs.
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billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
July 25, 2006
08:13 PM Post #2548129
| That's funny. I have 2 cats. What does Sally, my real name, mean?
The lotus is one of my favorite flowers because it's so hard to get to. My sister and I rowed - barely, over to the lily pads when the boat motor stalled and I smelled one for the first time. Heavenly!
Is the ''rock'' a local thing, or bought at a specialty shop?
She definately has the touch. I hope your daughter gets as good as her Grandmother! |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 26, 2006
12:56 AM Post #2549272
| http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/art/rangoli.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli
The above links will give an insight to what Rangoli is. I found it interesting too.
Dinu |
billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
July 26, 2006
05:17 PM Post #2551881
| The links were really interesting. I think a person could get lost in thought while creating a design.
The Ponds Cream jars still make me smile, as every Mom probably had a jar. I know mine did and I had some myself a long time ago. |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
July 27, 2006
12:38 AM Post #2553596
| In fact, Pond's were used by my aunt and not my mother. No cosmetics were used by my mother at any time. My aunt had a problem skin and so it was necessary for her.
Yes, designing takes a lot of talent. Books are available. My mother's designs were her own. |
billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
July 28, 2006
07:28 PM Post #2560656
| She's to be admired! |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
September 16, 2009
07:08 AM Post #7069654
| This is the decoration that goes on in different patterns every day in front of the main door/entrance. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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digger9083
Dahlonega, GA
September 16, 2009
09:06 AM Post #7069919
| Dinu , all this time I thought I was talking to a girl . LOL . your mothers art is beautiful .
when I used to travel , on my job , I stayed at a motel owned by an Indian family . I could always call ahead, and they would make sure the room next to their living quarters was reserved for me . They were very protective of a woman by herself . I got to know them over a two year period and shared some bread they made . It was crispy and had garlic in it . Delicious . If you can tell us the recipe , I would be grateful . It was flat and may have been fried . thanks so much , digger |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
September 16, 2009
11:54 AM Post #7070383
| Okay, digger. I've dug out this blog of mine for you to compare if that 'bread' you describe was that? |
digger9083
Dahlonega, GA
September 17, 2009
09:48 PM Post #7075948
| They said it was bread . It was like a flaky pie crust , except it held together . About six ins , across and had a lot of garlic in it .It wasn't puffy inside . I sure would like to know how to make it . |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
September 18, 2009
07:23 AM Post #7076872
| Which part of India were they from? I'm in south. What I had sent in the link has no garlic, more like a pancake. I guess what you say was a thin and brittle with some layers and some spices also? |
digger9083
Dahlonega, GA
September 18, 2009
09:39 AM Post #7077163
| Hi , go back and check , the link didn't post , so couldn't follow it .Yes, it was like a pancake except crusty all the way through , and very thin . I have no idea what part of India they were from, but their name was Patel ,. In America , that's like the name Smith or Jones . the telephone book has pages of them .I do know that they followed the tradition of the family, picked out the wife for the eldest boy , He went home for a few weeks to be married , but hadn't met her yet , only seen pictures .
The whole family was buying motels here in the states . I asked them why motels , and they told me it was a business they could get minimum training to run, and be successful . I know the motel stayed full that they owned , I always stayed with them when I traveled through . I'd tell them what city I was going to next and they would call a brother or cousin to make arraignments for me to have a room ready, always near the living quarters .
Years later , I was having coffee in the coffee shop of a motel in Shreveport , La , and run into the daughter , who was just a kid when I saw her last , back in Big Spring Texas .She had grown up , got married and her and husband had bought the motel I had stopped in . That was hundreds of miles away from where I had known her family .
I appreciate your help with this recipe , and if I can get the basic , then maybe I can get close enough to what they had to be happy with it . I don't think it had other spices in it . Maybe you could start a thread on your mothers recipes . That would be great and appreciated in the recipe forum . digger |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
September 19, 2009
01:50 PM Post #7081387
| http://mysoreanmusings.blogspot.com/2007/11/masale-dose-memo...
This is the link I forgot to paste. Now after further explanation from you it is not the one. You are right, Patel is like Smith. Usually, the western state of Gujarat has family names of Patel. And by the description of the dish, it seems like from that part of India. But I'm unable to pin point on it. They are famous for a dish called 'khakra'. Just see if that is the one?
Very interesting chance meeting that! Let me see if I can gather some Indian recipes for DG-ers.
Dinu |
digger9083
Dahlonega, GA
September 19, 2009
03:31 PM Post #7081679
| You are so kind to go to that trouble, but ,so many of us love trying traditional dishes of our D G friends digger |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
September 20, 2009
08:19 AM Post #7083617
| In the meanwhile, you may try out something from here: http://www.indianfoodrecipes.net/indian-rice-recipes/index.h...
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digger9083
Dahlonega, GA
September 20, 2009
08:03 PM Post #7085659
| Looked that site over and promptly tagged it . Looks like an assortment of delicious dishes that can be made without looking too far for correct ingredients.I still think you should start a thread in the recipes forum , publish some of your mothers dishes you was raised on . thank you , digger |
Dinu
Mysore
India
(Zone 10a)
September 21, 2009
12:35 AM Post #7086439
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EISqWj7sHFU I was trying how to shoot videos when the camera was new. I did not know that a commentary would have been useful. My mother along with my wife is making sugar cubes for a festival.
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