100HappyDays Day 28 - Tribal Music

Happiness is listening to tribal music

The tribal music in Rajasthan is very soothing. During my trip to Jaipur this week, I came across the women who sing from door to door.

The family wedding celebrations were on, all the women were busy tattooing the henna on their hands and feet. Normally there are dances and singing by family members during these occasions. But the ceremony had just started, we were all spread out in the big lawn and all we could hear were the murmurs of the private conversations and soft breeze in the air.

Suddenly we heard the loud beating of the drums. At the gate were two women, one playing the drums while other woman singing folk music. It was pleasant to the ear. I went forward to click their pictures and the singer began to dance as well, her long skirt spread out like a balloon as she twirled round and round.

It was a happiest moment to see them perform so spontaneously.

So here I am, with the project of ‘100 Happy Days’I am posting pictures each day here on my blog then sharing the link on my page on FB too. You can enjoy my work either here or on my page at FB at Pushee’s World

100HappyDays – Days 23-27 Family reunion

Happiness means spending quality time with cousins

I did not blog for 4days, but that does not mean that I was not happy. Actually I was so occupied in fun activities that I had no moments to blog. 

I made a trip to Jaipur to attend a wedding.

It was a family union. I was in deep pain, just recovering from a serious knee injury, but since my family insisted that I attend the wedding, I took flight and travelled on a wheelchair. Most of the time, my movements were restricted but that did not prevent me from having fun because I was surrounded by my family all the time and they chose to sit next to me whenever they could. There was no moment to be alone or even check my email.

The days passed quickly in laughter and song. I was meeting cousins after a long time. I belong to a large family and am very close to my maternal and paternal cousins. Feel blessed sometimes. My family made sure that I was comfortable. Late nights and early mornings were passed chatting about old times, remembering the aunts and sharing childhood stories.

I am so glad that I was able to spend quality time with my family.

So here I am, with the project of ‘100 Happy Days’I am posting pictures each day here on my blog then sharing the link on my page on FB too. You can enjoy my work either here or on my page at FB at Pushee’s World

My Birthday Celebration

Till the age of twelve, I did not know the date of my birth….every day was the same and nobody cared. Being the fifth girl in the family, I was most unwelcomed arrival into this world. So the celebration was naturally out of question.

At school, I would receive sweets and chocolates from my friends and sometimes was even invited for birthday parties but mine was never ever celebrated. I envied all the rich girls and hoped to be born in a better home in my next birth. I always wished that some one would celebrate my birthday, make me feel important, shower me with gifts and get me those frilly new dresses. But being fatherless, things were different.

 Luckily for me, I was blessed with most beautiful and caring mother but she also had her own problems and was under too much stress. Living in a joint family without a spouse is difficult, life is hard. Therefore I never dared ask her for a celebration of my birthday nor did I ever ask her the date of my birth.

 It was at the age of thirteen that I finally learnt the date. That was when I had changed school and I was able to peep into my school leaving certificate. It said 27th June and I waited, glancing at the calendar everyday, waiting for the day to arrive. And at the age of fourteen, I finally celebrated my birthday for the first time in my life.

Being inexperienced, I took all my friends for a movie and then treated them with Samosas and drink and the culture of celebrating birthdays began.

 But, this kind of celebration always embarrasses me, I no more enjoy the attention and the fuss associated wih it and normally like to spend it quietly. But, friends who care, drop in uninvited to wish me and I treat my friends for a lunch or an outing and have a good time.

 But this year, things were different. It coincided with a marriage celebrations of my cousin’s son in Jaipur. Now, Jaipur is the place I was born in but I have never ever celebrated my birthday there. It sounds good! My sister decided to gift me a return air ticket, and that was a perfect. So, this year, the birthday celebration was different.

I wore a new dress, travelled to Jaipur, took a tourist bus from airport to ‘Le Meridian Hotel’ a fifty minutes drive (during which I was able to get some great shots of the city), was received with traditional music, a flower garland and a warm welcome, and I was given a suite, the biggest room in the hotel that I shared with her mom (she always says that I am her favorite cousin whenever she introduces me to her friends, so naturally, I deserve the best..), attended the Hi-Tea event, where we were introduced to other guests, and then late evening, there was a welcome party in the hotel with delicious cuisine and entertainment.

There were many dances organised, including belly dancers who put in their best performance…. Although all the guests were attending this wedding celebration, I pretended that it was my party…..

hahahaha!! What more can one ask???