.....and it is ORANGE!!

So, allow me to pick up from where I left yesterday!!

Sharad Navratri Day 2- Colour 'Orange'!...Let me correct myself - the Vibrant 'Orange'!!😊..and fell on a Sunday too!! The perfect combination of energy, sunshine, loads of joy and heaps of enthusiasm! I managed to capture this beautiful pic- the one of Bunny & her Dadi!     

I mean I clicked and stopped - stopped to gaze at the gleam in Mom's eyes and the smile on her face! I was reminded of the online 'Grandparents' Day' celebration done by Bunny's school few days back and there was one thing common amongst all the grandparents - the pride in their eyes at the mere fact of holding these kiddos in their arms!! Just this meant so much to them!!Like really!! I remember mom saying to us 'Tumlog mool (Principal) ho, par ye bache sood (interest) hai aur mool se sood jada pyara hota hai!!" I guess they re-live their "Mool" ka bachpan again through their grandchildren (sood) and their joy is ineffable!   

                                                          

My granny loved me a lot too!! In fact, I like to believe that I was her favourite amongst the 10 kids at home - yes, ours was a joint family!! I mean why else would she hide and keep extra pieces of my favourite sweets for me when I would be away!!😍 Its a no-brainer- I was off course the favourite - PERIOD!

She is my granny! Beautiful na - I know!! This pic is of our Rajasthan trip, way back in 2012. Oh, what a trip it was!! Waise bhi any trip turns out double fun with your grandparents - who else can spoil you to the core!! Such beautiful memories - it would just be fair to capture them in a separate blog dedicated to her!! But, yes for now, she happens to be in shade of 'Orange' too!! I remember her face very vividly - vibrant, dynamic and warm - as bright as sunshine, as fresh as flowers and as buoyant as the colour “Orange”!

 

I miss ‘Maa’ but tables have reversed!! Just like Mom is reliving Varun’s childhood in Bunny, I am feeling that immense joy when I see Mom & Bunny- that same joy which my granny gave me – selflessly, in abundance and with open arms!!

May Goddess Durga endow Bunny with the same strength as my Granny, the same calmness as her Granny and cheer and enthusiasm as the fascinating "ORANGE"!

Navratri- What's the colour today!!

'Colours of Navratri, 2020'- my Google search as soon as October stepped in!! I mean I get so excited every year, rather twice a year, when Navratri is approaching! No, it is not for the Dandiya nights...no, no not even for Pandal hopping, though both have their own beauty and significance. For me, it is something as simple as what colour each Navratri day would stand for- Yes!! My happiness in this small and may be 'insignificant'  nothing amidst the huge festivities!!

So, when did my love for Navratri colours begin, or rather where did the seeds sprout?? Any guesses? No, no...it was not Kolkata though I am a hard core Kolkatan minus the fish and the egg!! Mumbai local train-yes!! That was where this association started- Navratri and my love for its beautiful colours!!  One of those days when I was struggling in the local when I realized that most of the ladies in my compartment were in yellow!! Little did I think about it when I observed colour coordination the next day too and found myself asking someone, "Aj kuch hai kya Bombay me? Sabne ek jaise colours kyu pehne hue hai?". The lady draped in a beautiful saree questioned back, 'Tum Mumbai se nahi ho na?". 'Kolkata" 'I said with pride in my voice and "Navratri" she replied with a smile on her face!

I was mesmerized by her beautiful explanation of each day representing a different 'Devi' avatar and a special significance. I was equally mesmerized witnessing the city dazzling in the colours specific to the days during those 9 auspicious days!! Something struck me and has stayed with me till date, years after I left my 'Karmabhumi'. 2008 and today- I am equally excited when Google engine throws up those colours on my screen- Day 1- Grey, Day 2- Orange and Day 3, Day 4 and beyond!!

I have been trying to follow the beautiful custom both during Chaitra & Sharad Navratri irrespective of which part of the country I am in. And guess what! I now have a young and cute little partner to give me company- my 2 year old daughter!! Yes, she has been my partner in this colour game since she was 6 months old!! That's when the first Chaitra Navratri came. Yes, yes, I have all her pictures in those bright and beautiful colours but that's for some other time!!

For now, Sharad Navratri has set in and it began with the solemn 'Grey'! While it may seem a dull or even a "no colour', for me it is a sophisticated colour , depicting grace; for me it is timeless and for me it is the neutral zone between black & white!!

Clad in Grey, here is our trio!! All smiles, all grey!!

I really hope Bunny continues this 'Mommy' tradition when she grows up!! The 'Navratri-What's the colour today" tradition!!