Tricky Halloween!

I read this somewhere, " don't seek happiness in the next job or next vacation, the power of happiness is in NOW " and it resonates so much with my current state. I almost commute 60 miles every day for work, then I have two days of evening class at the University of Houston. But I am thankful for everything, for all the people in my life and all the opportunities I have.

 And amidst all the commute, grind of graduate studies, there are small nuggets of happiness!

This year, the Halloween celebration at Houston was more on a " trickier" side. The day started with light drizzle, but as the hours progressed it started looking dark. At around 4 pm Tornado warnings were issued. Severe storms and cold front engulfed the city. Afternoon rains already produced 2 to 3 inches of water in several locations. By the time I reached the university for my evening classes, several entrance to the University of Houston were getting closed due to rising waters.

By the time our classes got over, thankfully the flood waters had receded and I could go back home safely.

The Halloween parade at Lil S's school was done a week before the actual Halloween and it was indeed a sunny day, perfect for trick-o-treat.

This year I was running short of ideas ( and lack of time) and finally had to settle for a very simple Jack-o-Lantern costume.

The students did a parade and danced with some musical numbers and exchanged goody bags!

I love how this small project turned out! I have promised myself to include more creativity for next year. 

I know I am late..but still wishing you all , Boo Hoo, my bright Jack'o Lantern is here!!

Saving memories - remembering grandma

 Have you ever wanted to freeze something in time? Moments like when your baby wraps his arm around your necks and asks : Mamma am I your best friend? Or the letter from your parents when you were feeling lonely in a new city? I wish there was a way to re-play those moments. Sometimes memories are like warm blankets, of love, kindness and warmth.

Few months back I came across an old family trunk and was sweetly surprised by the heirloom inside. I looked at the embroidery works made by my mother-in-law and the other ladies of the house. White work embroidery seems very intricate and I admire the patience and diligence that goes in the process. I also have the embroidery hook and the scissors used by my mother -in-law.

Have you ever wondered to give life to an embroidery in a new way? I wanted to preserve and showcase the works made by my grand mother-in-law. Memory box is a delightful way to store family heirloom and pass on to the next generation. I got this memory box from Michaels.

But as I was framing the embroidery I thought I could add another dimension to the story by adding a background element. What if, if I conjure the lady who created these pieces? A simple cardboard cut out of a woman, some poster color, a tiny - weeny piece of fabric and some embroidery set the stage.The idea of making small figures to depict the real life came from Krishnanagar dolls.  Since this summer my mother was with me, she helped to draw the figure and paint it.

I treasure the work of my mother and grand mothers. My paternal grandmother ( Amma)  made quilts not only for me, but for my dolls as well! Some of those quilts are tattered and well worn while others are in perfect condition. My mother taught me to sew when I was around 10 years old. The love for fabric and thread has never dwindled ever since then. 

What is your happiest memory with your grandparents?

Wearable art - everyday inspiration

Few weeks back as a part of an assignment in a course on Graphics Design, we were being asked to write about sources of inspiration. As an art aficionado I find inspiration from lot of different places -  illustration in children books, movie covers,  wall art, decors inside quirky shops etc. And I think sometimes it is just a matter of picking colors from those inspiration and convert them into something wearable!

My latest art project is largely inspired from a combination of wall art and children book illustration. I had come across this wall  from a suburb of Kolkata and the picture reminded me of my childhood. I could visualize the girl who used to wear a navy blue school uniform and attended school some 22 years back. And at that moment I knew I have to transform this picture to an another medium.

 I also came across this book in my son's classroom. The simple figures in the illustration reminded me a lot about the morning moments when I used to catch the school bus.

The small town where I grew up didn't have any subways. But there was school bus. Each bus route had their unique names or numbers, mine was called L.
School meant navy blue tunic with white shirt and black belly shoes with white knee high socks.
School  meant neatly braided hair tucked in red or white ribbons.
School also meant friendship, sharing snacks ( or tiffins as we would say) and stories.

As a kid was I was not terribly excited about my school uniform. I had a feeling that the tunic was too heavy and perhaps boring as well. But now since that school, that town and my country reside thousands of miles away from me, sometimes I feel a lump inside my throat when I think about those days.

What could be a better way to pay homage to my school days other than convert into something personal? I had a plain cotton blouse which is perfect base for an applique project.

The figure is largely made up with the help of heat bond lite sheets. ( Tutorials can be found in this post). I used little bit of acrylic paint for the shoes.

Dr. Suess says, sometimes you will not know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory! Oh yes! I miss my school. I miss those days .. ringing of recess bells, echoes from the corridor, fighting, frowning, laughing .....we'll always cherish those memories forever and ever!!

Fire on the plate - stuffed sweet pepper

Of all the vegetarian food I ever sampled in my life, I find Gujarati food to be quite exotic. During my Geological field trips, I stayed in Kutch for few weeks and I was taken by their warm hospitality. The influence of Jain culture predominantly makes the region to be vegetarian.

 Few years back I brought this cook book, Prashad Cookbook : Indian Vegetarian. Apart from showcasing traditional Gujrati recipes, the book follows the journey of Kaushy Patel and her family from India to UK. Kaushy currently resides in London and has a restaurant there.

The one recipe which I particularly enjoyed from this cookbook is : Renghan Reveya ( eggplant satay).

Earlier I had the notion that vegetarian food primarily deals with vegetables, but  Kaushy  has shown that there could be myriad of vegetarian variations by combining the staples ( like legumes and nuts) in right proportion!

Renghan means brinjal/egg plant in Gujarati. I have simplified the original recipe to suit to my needs. Instead of baby eggplants, I used sweet peppers. I have a feeling that this recipe can be also replicated with green plantains as well!

Ingredients:

• Sweet  peppers - 12 pieces
• Peanuts - 100 gms
• Chickpea flour - 50 gms
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Cilantro - 5-7 springs
• Grated ginger - 1/2 tea spoon
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tea spoon
• Tomato paste - 3 tea sppon
• Plain yogurt  - 3 teaspoon ( hang it a a cheesecloth for half an hour to remove excess water)
• Garam masala 
• Turmeric powder
• Rock salt  
• Vegetable oil 

Process:

• Clean the peppers and make a small incision ( I prefer to leave the stem on for decor purposes)
• In the meanwhile make the stuffing for bell pepper.
• Dry roast peanuts until they turn slightly brown. Remove them from fire and let it cool down. Husk them and grind to a fine powder.
• Dry roast chickpea flour for 4-5 minutes ( once it reaches the optimum temperature, it should be aromatic). 
• Mix the peanut powder, chick pea flour thoroughly. Add cumin seeds, chopped corriander, grated ginger, a pinch of asafoetida and rock salt. Add little oil and combine everything. Leave this mixture to settle well for half an hour.
• Now put the stuffing inside the  pepper. Ensure that the pepper doesn't crack while you stuff them.
• Lightly fry the bell peppers in a flat pan for about 15 mins ( ensure that all sides are equally cooked). I use minimum spray oil for frying
• Making the gravy : Add oil in a pan. Once it is hot, add cumin seeds, asafoetida. Let it crackle for few seconds. Add a pinch of turmeric powder. In a separate bowl add tomato paste and yogurt. Add  half tea spoon of garam masala, salt to it and whisk it thoroughly. Before adding this paste to the pan, ensure the temperature is set to low.
• Once you add this yogurt -tomato paste to pan, slowly increase the temperature. Now add the fried stuffed peppers and cover it with a lid. Let it rest for 10 minutes so that the peppers absorb the curry.
• Serve hot with plain rice or roti!

I have always got rave reviews whenever I have presented this dish to my friends/family. In my opinion this dish looks good and tastes equally good. Why not try it?!!

Mementos of the past - whitework embroidery

Last month I was cleaning an old trunk, the trunk which I found at my in-law's place. The  trunk was lying underneath a bed, forgotten, rusty, covered with dust and cob webs. Almost every household of West Bengal owns one ( or couple) of such trunks. In the days when closets were not a very common thing, these trunks were used to store winter clothes,quilts, which people typically don't use all around the year.
Sometimes these were also used by students when they moved away from home and went to a hostel/ boarding schools. My Maa still packs woolen clothes in these trunks and before stowing them away she puts couple of  Naphthalene balls inside the clothes. I still love the moment when I open a trunk and get welcomed by the smell of Naphthalene balls!!

Over the years this old trunk has moved to different places and has witnessed several historical milestones.It has seen partition of India and has followed the trail from Bangladesh to West Bengal. Later on along with the family the trunk has been to Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and now it rests back in West Bengal.
As I opened the trunk there were few surprises.The trunk yielded old journals, family books, baby quilts and other household items. The smell of vintage fabric caught my attention. I never get tiered of looking into old fabric art. As a connoisseur of fabric arts, I was quite enthralled to discover these handmade delicacies. 

A Kantha stitch table cover made by my mother-in-law

A table cover made by my mother in law

I recognized few of the table covers which was created by my mother in law.Bengal is known for Kantha stitch, and my mother in law was an expert in making quilts with Kantha stitch. But perhaps the greatest surprise of the day was when I came upon this white piece of embroidery on the delicate white cloth. 

Sample white work embroidery made by my grandmother in law

Although I am not an expert in Bengali hand weaves, but I was surprised to learn such kind of artistry exists. I am not sure about the creator of these art works. My mother in law passed away couple of years back. But I remember she spoke highly of the artistic skills of her mother-in-law. So I presume this could be made either of the two leading ladies of the house.

I had to search in the internet to find out the name and history of this stitch. Drawn thread embroidery is an old method of producing design in fabric by drawing threads from the body of fabric. Drawn thread work is also known as white work, Opus Tiratum, Punto Tirato, cut work, pulled thread work. Drawn thread work likely began in the 16th century and was popular in Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway and England. Relics of drawn thread work has also been discovered in Medieval period of China and India. The mesh work created with this stitch can be considered as a predecessor to lace work. Traditionally White work embroidery was used as an embellishment for underclothing, table clothes, church linens, christening gowns, veils and bonnets.

A table cover made by white work

Details of the white work

Another variation of white work

 Embroidering or wool - needle was often considered a form of domestic happiness. Women would gather together in lazy afternoons and would trade patterns and carry on the needlework.

The amount of labor and love that went towards making these detailed needlework is awe inspiring.Some of the linens were so old that they had lost their pristine whiteness and have turned yellowish, but nevertheless they appeared timeless.I have never met my grandmother-in-law. But as I was examining the embroidery and trying to find out the origin of the stitch, I felt I was communicating with her. May be these pieces were embroidered while she was still in Bangladesh? Maybe I am holding a piece of history which has witnessed the partition of India?

I feel I am lucky to have such talented women in our family who made them, and preserved them with care so that we can enjoy later! What was the last piece of family heirloom that you have been handed over?

References:
https://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/whitework-embroidery.html
https://textilis.net/2015/07/14/historical-reproductions-19th-century-whitework-embroidery-g-7/

Bordharan - The hidden gem at Sahyadri

Serene and tranquil ... this is how I felt during our recent family trip to Bordharan. 

My association with Maharashtra (or Marathawada) has been long and fruitful. My first school excursion was at Nagpur. During my undergraduate studies, I did couple of field trips in Ramtek, Mansarovar, which are small villages close to Nagpur.  I also completed my graduate studies from Mumbai. My first job was also in this city. It is no wonder that half of my soul belongs to this state, while the other half belongs to West Bengal!

 Every year when I visit my brother's family at Nagpur, we try to undertake a small day trip. And since we have a toddler and a teenager in the family, we try to visit places which doesn't require long commute. This January we ventured out to Bordharan, a small village which is 60km  South West of Nagpur. Highway 6 which connects Nagpur to Wardha, goes across Bordharan. We cruised along cotton fields, maize fields. Have you ever seen cotton fields? Cotton ( or Kapas in local language) looks like snow during full bloom!! This part of Central India is made up of fertile black soil, which are  the byproduct of erosion of Deccan volcanic.

Bordharan is not a typical tourist place. It is a gentle forested gateway in the Sahyadri hills where the wind whispers incessantly throughout the day. Bor's wilderness unfolds across 120 sq. Km of dry decidious forest and grassland. The area hosts a sanctuary which is the home for tigers, bears, monkeys, three - striped palm squirrel and many more. At one end of the Bor reservoir lies small fishing village.

 We had reservation at the MTDC guest house. The guest house opens towards the Bordharan dam and the back side is protected by the mighty wall of Sahyadris. There is a open courtyard where one could sit and enjoy beautiful sunset against the backdrop of Bor reservoir. It was already quite late, we settled for a quick simple lunch and decided to take a stroll outside. The lake front was covered with a whole assortment on ground plants like, wild watermelons, wild roses.

 As the evening descended,  we took out our barbeque gear. After a long time we had a barbeque party under the starry skies. The wind became chillier and the barbeque pit provided the much needed warmth!!! 

 Next morning I woke from sleep with the sounds from jungle erupting around me - Langurs were calling. After a hearty breakfast at the resort we made our way to the Huen-Tsang retreat center. Situated at the top of a hillock the temple the road to the stupa is paved with Ashoka and Shaal trees. The stupa offers a chance to  meditate and reflect. The grand prayer hall 4 statues of Tathagata. As we prayed, the echo followed the sound, it provided a multiplying  effect, soothing our souls.

Just when I thought I have finally found a spot to unwind, it was time to go, leaving behind the small cocoon of contentment. 
While going back to Nagpur, I wondered what is in store for 2018? Like the previous years I want to continue my search towards a better me, I want to spend time with my family and near ones and I want to visit places like this. Places which are rustic , offer a space to unwind and to dream more!!!

Food-path!

Come December there is a mood of celebration in the air of West Bengal. Even though the winters in West Bengal are never harsh, but people love to bundle up themselves on the slightest pretext!

To me winter means the season to enjoy the afternoon sun after a cold bath. Winter is also the season to peel oranges and enjoy book. Street vendors get busy with their stash of Joynagar er Mowa, Mihidana, Jhola gur etc.  Winter in Durgapur meant picnic at Kumar Mangalam Park or at the Durgapur barrage. Poush mash ( winter) is also the Hindu calendar for getting married, and hence for many Bengalis winter is the season to gorge on delicacies. While one can gorge on decadent dishes like Motorshutir Kochuri, Alor Dom, Koi Macher Jhaal but it is also worth trying the local seasonal delicacies. The Indian winters bring out the best greens. Different states of India have their own winter favorite. While Punjabis gorge on Sarson da saag ( Mustard greens) and Makki roti, Gujratis gorge on Undhiu.

Here I present two of my favorite winter favorite: Koyet bael ( stone Apple) and Kamranga. Bael is also known as Bilva ( Sanskrit) , wood apple, stone apple or Aegle Marmalos. Bael is commonly found throughout South East Asia. In India it has the reputation for medicinal purpose, as well as for religious purposes. However Koyet Bael makha ( mashed Koyet Bael) has a slight twist than the original Bael. While Bael is more on the sweeter side, Koyet Bael is tangy. Ripe Koyet Bael smells sweet and is one of the easy winter snacks.

Ingredients:
Koyet Bael (1)
Mustard oil - half tea spoon
Rock salt
Chillies
Sugar ( optional)

Process:
Break Koyet bael and scoop out the pulp gently. A ripened Koyet bael pulp looks light brown and has soft seeds. Mash the pulp with a hint of mustard oil, finely chopped chilly and a fat pinch of rock salt. Optionally one might add little sugar if it tastes too tangy!
Serve the mashed Koyet bael inside the hard skin of the fruit and enjoy!

Another beauty of the winter season is Kamranga or  star fruit. The juicy crunchy fruit  has distinctive tart taste. Kamranga is either eaten raw or dipped in Rock salt. It can be also prepared as a relish or condiment. Like many other things, these fruits cannot be found in shopping malls but can be best sourced from street vendors ( or foot-path sellers!!)

As someone said, we can't  "buy" happiness, but we always relish the season, relish the freshness!