TRADITIONAL HAND-CARVED JAPANESE DOLLS

  Kokeshi dolls

     Traditional hand-carved Japanese dolls made from cherry wood, maple wood or dogwood are known as Kokeshi. The dolls have no arms or legs and have an enlarged head. The body has a floral design in black, red or yellow. The eyes, nose and mouth are thin painted lines. The doll is finished with a glossy layer of wax. 

     Kokeshi were first made by potters in the Tohoku region in Japan. Tohoku was famous for its mineral springs. The technique spread to other spa towns between the 17th and 19th centuries.

     There are eleven types of traditional Kokeshi depending on the patterns, shapes and techniques of making. The most popular style is Naruko, originating from the town where a Kokeshi festival is held every September. Old dolls are burned here on a pyre in a moving ritual.

SUPERSTITIONS

Friday the 13th 

     Many people around the world dread the sixth day of the week and the number 13. They get paranoid if the Friday falls on the 13th of the month. There’s even a name to describe those who have an irrational fear of Friday the 13th : paraskevidekatriaphobics.

     In the UK, many people don’t drive on this day. In the US, there are people who won’t go to work on Friday the 13th. Some won’t eat out in restaurants and almost no one gets married on this day. Some American cities skip a 13th Avenue or a 13th Street. Many hotels skip from 12th to the 14th floor, which of course means that the 14th floor is actually the 13th floor. A name with 13 letters is believed to have the devil’s luck – like Jack the Ripper. And if 13 people sit down for dinner together, all are said to die within the year. In India too, many people consider 13 to be inauspicious.

     Friday is named after Goddess Frigga, the most important Scandinavian goddess but the day is considered unlucky in some cultures. Formerly, British sailors often refused to set sail on a Friday. It is said that the British ship H.M.S. Friday was commissioned on a Friday. Captained by J. Friday, it set off on its maiden voyage on a Friday and, disappeared forever. 

     There are many people, however, for whom Friday and the number 13 are lucky. Novelist Charles Dickens reportedly began the writing of all his books on a Friday, the day of his birth. Some point to the nearly catastrophic Apollo mission to the moon in 1970 as evidence that the number 13 is unlucky.

       But these are superstitions, and they arise out of fear and co-incidence!

DO YOU KNOW

 Why tyres are always black in colour?

     Originally car tyres were white, which is the natural colour of rubber out of which they’re made. 

     In the early 1900s, it was discovered that adding carbon black to rubber increased the durability and strength of the material. So about 50 percent (by weight) of carbon black began to be added to the rubber, and black tyres began to roll out of  the companies.     

     Perhaps a way could have been found to make them white even after the addition of carbon but everybody found that black tyres were easier to keep clean than white tyres and tyres have remained black ever since.

MUMBAI'S ICONIC HOT WHEELS

Double-decker buses 

     During the First World War, trams in London had double-decker trailers to increase passenger capacity. When trams became uneconomical to run, they were replaced by trolley buses that were powered by electricity from overhead wires. Red double-decker buses soon replaced these vehicles.

     From Britain, the double-deckers spread to other cities around the world, one of them being Mumbai where the bus was launched in 1937. In Mumbai as in London, the big red buses endeared themselves to the public. Children gazed in wonder, and longed to sit in the upper deck in the front row; commuters waiting in long queues heaved sighs of relief every time they saw a double-decker coming their way. The big red buses soon became an integral part of the city’s roadscape. They became synonymous with the city itself, etching themselves into the collective memory of its residents and tourists, apart from being featured in Indian and Hollywood movies in the vibrant metropolis.

     In 2004, when BEST (Brihan Mumbai Electric Supply and Transport) announced that it was thinking of replacing the buses with single-deckers, there was a howl of protest from citizens. The company was flooded with phone calls and letters. One Mumbaikar wrote, “We love double-deckers. Don’t take them away. They are the identity of Mumbai.” Bowing to public opinion, BEST decided not only not to withdraw the buses but also to replace the older double-deckers with brand new ones.

     Now after 86 years in service, the story of the city’s iconic hot wheels came to an end. This is largely due to its high maintenance cost and difficulty in maneuvering through the crowded streets. 

     After serving various routes across Mumbai, these non-air-conditioned double-decker buses bid adieu to daily commuters and tourists on Friday, September 15 night as the BEST authorities decided to phase out the buses as part of ‘modernisation’ and operational cost.  

     The last service of these non-AC double-decker buses left Marol Depot on Friday morning. These iconic buses can now be seen at a museum in the city as new mode of transport takes prominence.

PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF GANESH CHATURTHI

Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav

     Ganesh Utsav became a major social and public event in the 19th century when Bal Gangadhar Tilak championed it as a means to bind all the fragmented Hindu community and oppose the British government ban on Hindu gatherings through its 1892 anti-public assembly legislation.

     Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated in homes and small communities but Lokmanya Tilak made it into a big event with  public Ganesh Utsav Pandals and he made the festival a reason for a mass movement so that people from all communities can take part in it. 

     The redefining of Ganesh Utsav took place in the late 19th century and the credit goes to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the father of Indian unrest. 

     He revived the festival with a patriotic spirit amid the despotism of the British Raj. This festival also served as a meeting place for common people of all castes and communities. It slowly became a religious and social function. 

     The tradition of large images of the God and immersion of Ganesh statues on the last day of the festival with processions were started by Tilak.

A SPECTACLE OF DEVOTION AND JOY

                 Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa 

     Ganesh Chaturthi, a vibrant and significant festival in Goa, unfolds with an air of excitement, devotion, and grandeur. This annual celebration is in honour of the revered elephant-headed deity, Ganapati, symbolising wisdom and the remover of obstacles. With its captivating rituals, ornate decorations, and joyous spirit, Ganesh Chaturthi illuminates the coastal paradise of Goa like no other occasion.
     Every year, the fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada heralds the commencement of Ganesh Chaturthi. This year 2023, this cherished festival will grace Goa's shores from September 19, inviting locals and visitors alike to partake in the jubilant festivities.
     In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a fleeting event but an immersive experience that spans a minimum of two days, with the potential to extend up to an awe-inspiring 21 days. The festivities start with the ceremonial installation of clay idols of Lord Ganesha in elaborately adorned rooms within homes. These idols become the focal point of heartfelt prayers, accompanied by melodious devotional music and generous offerings.

     Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated in Goa as Chavath, is influenced by inherited customs passed down generations and promote harmony and community spirit.

     A ‘matoli’ — a wooden canopy — over idol of Ganpati is decorated with seasonal floral wealth. This showcases the intimate relationship of the God with Mother Nature.

     As the festival unfolds, the days come alive with an enchanting medley of feasting, dancing, and vibrant celebrations. The streets of Goa reverberate with joy as public processions, replete with elaborately crafted Ganesh idols, grace the thoroughfares. These processions, often accompanied by exuberant music and traditional dances, infuse the atmosphere with an infectious energy.

     Goan Delicacies for Chaturthi include the sacred Modak, Ladoo, Payce, Bhaji, Patilyo, Nevryo etc.
     The culmination of the festival is as poignant as its commencement. On the final day, the Ganesh idols, having soaked in the devotion and revelry, are bid farewell in a symbolic immersion ceremony. The idols are gently carried to rivers or seas, where they are reverently immersed, signifying a heartwarming farewell to the deity and gratitude for the blessings bestowed.
     Ganesh Chaturthi is a time when the bonds of family and friendship are celebrated with utmost enthusiasm. However, the spirit of unity extends beyond personal circles. It's a season of giving, with many individuals and communities contributing food, clothing, and financial aid to those in need, embodying the spirit of compassion and generosity.
   Immersing in the Celebration the festival offers an array of captivating experiences. On visit to a pandal of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, one can witness the artistry and devotion that adorn temporary shrines, known as mandap, showcasing intricately decorated Ganesh idols.
    Participating in public processions where lively music and dances are a part, paint the streets with a kaleidoscope of colours.
     Ganesh Chaturthi unfurls a magical tapestry of tradition, faith and camaraderie. It is the divine union of devotion and festivity.

A COOL SUMMER DRINK

 Sugarcane Juice 

     Most people love to consume a glass of a cold sugarcane juice in the summer assuming it as just another cool drink.
     Sugarcane is a grass plant found in several varieties. Sugarcane juice has no fats, and is a 100 percent natural drink. It has zero content of cholesterol, fat, fibre and protein. But it contains ample quantities of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice: 

Energy - This juice gives an instant shot of energy. It's the best way to energise and stop dehydration in hot summer. The natural sugars in the juice get easily absorbed by the body and are used to replenish sugar levels. Though sugarcane is naturally sweet it does not contribute to any weight gain. The sweetner present in sugarcane is called Sucrose, which is very healthy and required by the body to maintain the sugar level properly.
Liver function - Sugarcane juice is one of the best treatments for liver-related ailments like jaundice. Since sugarcane is alkaline in nature it helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance in your body.
Cancer protection - Sugarcane juice is alkaline because of its high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and manganese. These natural products help the body remove cancerous cells, especially prostate and breast cancer.
Digestion - It eases your digestive system and is beneficial for those people suffering from digestive disorders and stomach infections. The potassium content balances the pH levels in the stomach, initiates the secretion of digestive juices, and keeps the system on track.
Diabetes control - People with diabetes may feel sugarcane juice may aggravate their condition. But, if taken in moderation, sugarcane juice can benefit diabetic patients. Natural sugar has a low glycemic index that prevents frequent spikes in blood glucose levels.
Kidney health - The presence of natural low cholesterol, low sodium, and no saturated fats, keeps the kidneys in top shape.
     Sugarcane juice also reduces pain associated with urinary tract infections. It reduces inflammation caused by urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and prostatitis.
Bones and teeth - In earlier times chewing a sugarcane stick were very common. This would exercise the teeth and also add calcium to the system. Calcium ensures the proper development of the skeletal system, bones, and teeth. The juice also helps build tooth enamel and strengthen teeth. It also overcomes bad breath caused due to the deficiency of these nutrients.
Acne cure - Sugarcane juice also has the ability to help reduce and cure skin problems such as acne if applied externally along with prescribed medications. It also prevents formation of acne.