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Newasa - Encountering an unique form of Vishnu, and Sant Jnaneshwar

The year was 1290 . A crowd had gathered around a clearing, where broken down pillars marked the presence of an ancient temple, now long gone. A young boy, just 14 years old, leaned against one of those pillars, deep in thought. Then, he began speaking, and the crowd fell silent, listening to his every word. He spoke without any notes, translating the Bhagavat Gita, from Sanskrit, which only the pundits knew, to the language everyone in the village knew and spoke – a variety of Prakrit which developed into the Marathi language. Even as he spoke, one of the men in the audience realized how momentous this event was, and how important this composition would be. He began writing down the words the young boy spoke, and this composition was named by its author and composer, the Bhavartha Deepika – the enlightening meaning (of the Bhagavat Gita). Now, the ancient, holy text, was no longer restricted to the pundits, but accessible to all, understood easily by them, composed as it was, in their...
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Navaratri 2015 : The Chembur Fine Arts Golu

The Golu at the Chembur Fine Arts is one we look forward to, every year. Not only is it huge, and the dolls are beautiful, but there is always something new and interesting to see, to appreciate. Besides, the experience is enhanced by the music, with students of the institution performing in the evenings. Here is a glimpse of this year's golu..... 

The Main Golu... all of 15 steps! 


The lower steps, with the elaborate kolam

A new addition... the kalasam with the coconut being extended to resemble Ganesha!

Some of the impressive dolls





I first thought this was Vishnu and Lakshmi on Garuda...
a closer look revelaled that this was Gajendra Moksham! 

Samhith's favourites were of course the animals! Esp the cow, which resembles the one we have at home!



The smaller Golu on the side... 

I loved these dolls... dressed so beautifully in costumes from various states / religions

These steps had dolls of saints... including Gandhiji and Swami Vivekananda



Kolam with Nava dhanyam.. nine grains

A village temple scene


people praying to Ganesha under a tree

At the pond

Snake Charmer


And finally, handmade dolls depicting the story of Srinivasa Kalyanam...
the marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavathi, at Tirupati



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Location: The Fine Arts Society, Postal Colony, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071, India

Comments

  1. NatalieGOctober 22, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Wow, so elaborate! Is this the biggest Golu of the ones you saw this year? It must have taken a long time to set up! The kolum is very beautiful.

    I am slowly learning more about various deities/gods/goddesses in the Hindu pantheon as I read your blog, Anu! :) Thanks for the detailed captions on the pictures you post.

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