ritask

Sari: A 6 yard affair

An Indian conventional outfit is a sari. Pure elegance worn by a woman. The original one comes in 6 yards but in some parts of India they do wear 9 yards.

The extraordinary part is that every region of India has its own kind of sari. Directly from the north to south, weaved kashmiri, phulkari, chanderi, banarsi, nauvari, bandhini, kanjeevaram these are just a few names. Then comes the following part which is the texture of these lovely saris, which ranges from silk, cotton, georgette, chiffon and many others . The intricate details are too many, will need to write a series blogs on it!

We grew up watching our grandmothers and mothers wearing them all day long, sometimes even to bed. We really wonder how they managed to do it. They looked amazing in their crisp cotton saris with beautiful bindi, some jewelry and not to forget their glass bangles. As the new generation came in, things changed and they only wore it occasionally. However some attempt has been made to add another touch to it by styling it in an unconventional way. Overall they think it’s cumbersome to wear it in their everyday life. It makes you wonder what will happen to all those saris hanging in the wardrobes.. Though there are still some old traditional families where it’s still a part of their everyday attire.

As Diwali and the wedding season approaches, it’s an ideal opportunity to take them out and to adorn them with some beautiful jewellery . It’s something about this timeless attire just makes you feel and look beautiful.

Home: where the heart is

How true is the saying ” A house is made of bricks and beams. A home is made of hopes and dreams.”

The building in this photograph was newly constructed, and when people began to move in, you could see it steadily filling up and, before you knew it, it had become a home for a large number of people.

Few would have relocated in gaining more space, while some would have done the opposite. Each one arrives full of hope, happiness, and hopes for a better future. It’s a wonderful feeling to see a house transform into a home as things begin to fall into place piece by piece as you fill it with love and care. As they begin a new life each household would have a unique narrative to tell: coming home tired from a long day’s work, a hectic day in the kitchen, children squabbling with their siblings or conflicts over the silliest topics.

There is a lot that goes on within the four walls of a house: laughter, tears, stories to tell your family and friends, or merely keeping secrets to maintain the peace. You can live in a modest apartment or a swanky mansion, but the warmth of a home is shaped not only by the people who live there, but also by their love and care for one another, without which everything falls apart.

I hope your home is filled with love, joy, blessings, and lovely memories that can be passed down through generations!

Blessings: a shower of love

What are blessings? They are the small gifts that God bestows on us. We all require them in our daily lives, even if we are unaware of how fortunate we are. From the moment we wake up in the morning, which is a blessing in and of itself. Yet, as humans, we are not appreciative enough since we are ignorant of its significance.

What do we mean when we say “blessing”? They come in many forms and sizes, to be sure. Every day and everything are a blessing in and of itself: a lovely family, a pleasant home, a healthy body, financial abundance, and so on. These blessings are what gets your boat across safely when you’re going through a difficult time in your life.

How do we acquire these favors? It’s all part of manifestation; there are so many things we can do in our daily lives to assist us in obtaining them: a helping hand, a sturdy shoulder, a warm hug, a caring heart, whispered words, nice gestures, unconditional support, and silent prayer are just a few possibilities.

Let us begin by being grateful for these little mercies; they are similar to the interest that accumulates in your bank account and comes in handy when you most need it. Hope you are counting your blessings.

Shogun: My special child

Look at that smile; that’s my precious child hiding behind it. God has blessed him with a warm and compassionate soul.

He was born as a normal child, but we learned after a year and a half that he had delayed milestones. There was not much awareness and medical support available in the early 1980s but my family’s dedication and hard work, particularly my parents’, helped him a long way.

God constantly sends angels into our lives, and the Al Noor School staff is one of them. They have shaped him from not having clear speech and being 100% dependent to being a self-sufficient grown-up. His uniqueness continues to surprise us, as he surfs the internet for his favorite shows and movies despite no reading or writing aptitudes, has a vast knowledge of music and sports, can work with minimal assistance from his incredible colleagues, and most importantly, just enjoys life as it comes with no hopes but just a pure heart.

His attentiveness towards everyone around and especially for those who care about him, is the most remarkable thing. He instills in you the ability to love unconditionally and without expecting anything in return. Always grateful to those who make even the tiniest gestures toward him. His concern and anxiety for those he loves warms your heart.

Shogun, a man whose only complaint in life is when he doesn’t get a Mithai* after his meals or a Koki** every Friday morning.

Don’t we all wish our hearts and souls were as pure as his?

*Mithai: Dessert

**Koki: Sweet and savory Indian dish

Colors: It’s significance in our life’s

Look at the lovely colors in this photo: delicate pinks, cold white, leaf green, and a clear blue sky.

Nature has its own way of playing with colors each season; from sunrise to dusk, the sky presents various tones of yellow and orange. It is like the supreme had a beautiful idea of splashing us with colors when they created the world.

Have you ever considered how significant colors are in our lives? A pop of color may make a significant difference. If you’re feeling down, simply put on a brightly colored outfit and see how it quickly lifts your spirits. A cheerfully painted space may do wonders for your mood. Pastels, on the other hand, tend to settle you down and make you feel emotionally quiet and serene.

A fact is that when life provides us with a kaleidoscope, why should we paint our lives in black and white? Let’s be flamboyant, glitzy, jazzy, glistening, glowing, fancy, and most importantly, COLORFUL!

September: A month of changes

A photo from September 2014 appeared in my phone’s memory. It is from a collection of images published in a local newspaper in Dubai.

September is an exciting month with a lot of changes. It begins with marking the end of the long holiday season. A change in the weather as the sweltering summer finally comes to an end, providing relief from the heat. It is the commencement of the festival season in India.

Some parents are secretly relieved as their children go back to school. Though some of them may be experiencing conflicting emotions because their child is attending school for the first or last time. Some parents may experience an empty nest syndrome after their child leaves for university. We all know it’s for their benefit, but we don’t want to part ways. We must allow them to pursue their ambitions; they may slip and fall, but they will learn.

Because I don’t travel during the summer, it’s nice to see all my friends when they return from their vacations. I enjoy hearing their experiences, which are often filled with joy, adventure, laughing, silly mistakes, and sometimes a bit of grief.

Regardless of how we spent the summer, we all know that once September arrives, we are just three months away from the New Year.

Coffee: A simple cup

Just a single cup of coffee, has so much to offer that it feels different every time you drink it; a lot also depends on where you’re having it and with whom you’re drinking it.

In a coffee shop, you’ll notice that every table has a vibe of its own. A person alone with their thoughts, a team of people having a business meeting, a group of friends laughing, a couple curled in a corner, whispering softly or perhaps just wiping each other’s tears after a squabble

The same coffee hits you differently when had at home, especially the first sip in the morning. A ‘wake me up,’ a fuel to get a head start on how to arrange your day, or simply a drink that you gulp down because you are late for work.

And for those who are on the clock, it may be a take-away on their way to work or having it at their desk or in the canteen to catch up with coworkers.

Simply espressed, a cup of coffee can lead to new friendships, laughter, breakups, or even long-term commitments without you even realizing it.

What matters most, in the end, is how much you enjoyed that cup of coffee.

Sandcastle: Built on a strong foundation

This is one of the photographs captured by me which was published in one of the local newspapers in Dubai. It surely felt nice; an achievement big or small, always makes you feel good.

We’ve all attempted to build a sandcastle at some point in our lives, particularly as children. A fascinating construction made out of just sand, water and your imagination. At the time, it was our ideal home and gave us the ultimate feeling of accomplishment.

It doesn’t matter if you are a child or an adult, we love to take pride in our accomplishments. A sandcastle maybe temporary; once hit by the waves, it’s all gone, but the efforts put into making it with a strong foundation is what we should carry with us as adults.

This brings me to today’s topic; as we mature and life throws us with big responsibilities, it is necessary to maintain a stable foundation. That no matter how many waves hit you, your base must not be broken. Build your abode with a lot of hard-work, love, and care. When you see the gaps appearing, delicately fill them up and you’ll be surprised at how strong it can become.

So tell me how good are you at building your castle?

Sunrise: A New Day

A sunrise, my first post on Instagram on 10th January 2013… I have come a long way, with my photography & with my writing skills… Someone close to my heart suggested I start a blog, so penning down my thoughts..

Today as I embark on that journey, it’s not going to be an easy ride, that’s life.. I may stumble & I may fall but I know I can do it.. The reason I can do it is the confidence & support of all those who love me..

A start of any journey is always a bit difficult. Whether it’s a start of your school, university, a new job or for that matter even getting married. We have no idea what lies ahead. Once you put your heart in it, everything falls into place. Plus we have to believe in the fact that we are doing the right thing and are on the right path. At times we might need help or advice from others, there is no harm in seeking help. One just needs to let go of their own ego. My mother always used to say sometimes even a kid gives you a good advice..

Why are we so scared to ask for advise, well the reason being a lot of people are judgemental, they feel the upper hand when they give you advice but then not all are like that. The ones that care for you will guide you & show you the direction you are looking for.. If you have such people in your life don’t lose them as in today’s world they are such rare gems.

Thanks for becoming a part of my journey.. More thoughts and pictures as we go along.