Sreenchi Maya

Like I said before here, I am a god and culture-loving person. Fear is not an emotion I associate with either. I also like most gods, but I like some a little more. Ganesha is on top of that list. The 10-day festival is so full of life in my part of the world, and…

Simple Pleasures

When I shared pictures for Gokulashtami this year, I met with a strange, yet familiar reaction. “You don’t seem like the kind to invest time in idol worship!” My response was the same as it always is: I don’t need to wear my beliefs and culture on my sleeves. I’d much rather live by the…

Blinding Lights

Diwali is my most favorite time of the year. But creating a miniature with traditional and classic Indian titbits is almost impossible, given my poor crafting skills. Well, although this post is reaching you almost a month-and-a-half too late, I totally believe the song Konjum Miakale, when Aishwariya Rai sings, ada indre varavendum en deepavali…

The Magic of Rangoli

Rangolies are a tradition in most Indian households (mine for sure as we were growing up). Made from rice flour, vermilion, turmeric, and flower petals traditionally, these works of art are made from colored sand. Meticulously curated, these offer a window to the current socio-political ideologies that are gripping India and specifically Mumbai. Hosted during…

Happy Memories of a Cozy Diwali

I’ve procrastinated enough by putting the post up a month later, but so much life happened, leaving me elated and drained at the same time. This year’s Diwali was special with family, friends, and lots of light after two long years of hiatus. I planned an elaborate setup with minis but never got around shooting…

Sacred Games

Navratri is my most favorite time of the year. As a crafter and lover of all things miniature, this festival is the highlight of the year for me, as my house prepares to get decked up and the celebrations culminate into nine days of devotion and fun. this was also the first time we set…

1,000 Posts: My Friend, My Savior

I love Ganesha, as you’d have probably known from the posts I put up. I may skip some festivities that we enjoy at home, but a miniature setup without his blessings seem barren. I enjoy celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, probably with more pomp than my own birthday. While Krishna returned my mojo, I’ve always been fascinated…

Ganpati Bappa Moriya

Ganesh Chaturthi is to us in Maharashtra, like Pujo is to those in the east of India. While the traditions are mildly different to the what we do in our south Indian household, they are special in everyway. Every year, mom would keep the dough and filling ready for the sweet dumplings, or modaks to…

Jai Kanhaiya Laal Ki

I know, I am late by a couple of weeks, but the festive season in India is in full flow, which hardly leaves any time to breathe! It starts with the advent of Onam down south, followed by Varalakshmi Vratam, 10th Day of Onam, Raksha Bandhan, Narali Purnima, and eventually Gokulashtami. Onam is the harvest…

Spark of Life

I love Diwali, which you know by now if you’ve stuck around here for a while. I love the festivities, the clay lamps, lights, and the delicacies of the season. I have never been a big fan of noisy crackers, and growing up rockets that exploded into a beautiful spectacle of light were beyond reason…