Thursday, 18 March 2010

Alphabe-Thursday I is for India

If I was fit enough and money and time was no object then the one place I would visit before all others is India (and Pakistan too) My maternal grandfather was in India in the British Army during the First World War. I have his photo albums of his time there but the pictures are so tiny and frankly most of them are quite boring because they are sepia and faded. I like this one though, of him writing at his desk.




We had, I should now be ashamed to admit, a tiger skin rug, which I remember being in Granny and Granddad's bedroom when I was little. There were quite a lot of bits of brass, some of which I still have and an embroidered shawl, which I have used as a backdrop for this next picture.




I am fascinated by the music and culture of the area, I love qawwali and I love bhangra and if you know about these things you will know that is going from the sublime to the ridiculous, to coin a phrase. I also love all that Indian cotton stuff that I used to wear when I was a hippy and which I now feel old enough to get away with again




The place I would go first is Jodhpur. This is in Rajasthan and is where my puppets came from. A lot of the buildings are painted a particular blue and it must be a wonderful thing to see. The picture here is a photo of a poster that I have on a wall




I have found a couple of good blogs about India so for the moment I have to be content with being an armchair traveller. See what other people have for I HERE

Posted by jaydubblah at Thursday, March 18, 2010
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22 comments:

  1. Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler18 March 2010 at 11:48

    I love the embroidery! I have done a little bit of shisha work.

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  2. People Who Know Me Would Say:18 March 2010 at 13:18

    The shawl is lovely. I'm very partial to the brass bells!! I have some myself, but none as lovely as your large one!!!

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  3. jeff campbell18 March 2010 at 14:11

    India...such a place of intrigue and fascination for me...lots of Kipling read...I am drawn to color, and the spirituality. Nice post indeed...and thanks for your visit and comments about my Insects...BTW, once a hippy, always a hippy:-) Namaste

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  4. Viki18 March 2010 at 14:14

    India seems like it would be an interesting place to visit.

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  5. Betty18 March 2010 at 14:29

    Yes, India would be an interesting place to visit.

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  6. Unknown18 March 2010 at 15:16

    India has lovely handicrafts and one of the best materials in the world. Would be a great trip to go visit.

    Happy Thursday!

    Did you know that I am now hosting a new meme? Find out more Blog of the Week Please join us for the WEEKEND FUNNIES. Week #2 is this Friday to Sunday (March 19-21). See you there? hugs shakira Oscar Wilde-The IRISH Gentleman ART OF GENEROSITY

    UNSPOKEN BREAKFAST FOR THE SOUL

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  7. MrsJenB18 March 2010 at 16:13

    I'm always fascinated with the culture of India! And that picture of your grandfather is amazing! Once again, I'm such a sucker for old pictures, and it must be so neat for you to see him like that, so young. Great post!

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  8. easternsparkle18 March 2010 at 17:51

    That's a lovely photo of your grandfather - well preserved as well. My friend has travelled to India a couple of times and loves it - hold on to your dreams!!

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  9. laterg8r18 March 2010 at 17:56

    gorgeous pics - love the vintage one of your grandpa :D

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  10. Debbiedoos18 March 2010 at 17:58

    i think India would be a beautiful place to visit. I worked for a woman Indian Doctor some time ago, for 8 years....she was so very kind, and I learned so much about her culture. I love the sepia toned pictures and I do not find them boring at all. You had a wonderful I!!~

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  11. Kat18 March 2010 at 20:10

    I LOVE that photo of your grandfather. It looks to be in immaculate condition, how wonderful. I too used to love to wear all the gauzy cotton Indian garments when I was in my "hippy dippy" stage as my DD calls it. Whenever she sees pictures of me from high school, she just rolls her eyes and asks if I was an extra in "Dazed and Confused" :) Kathy

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  12. Jenny18 March 2010 at 20:42

    I am particularly intriqued with Jodpur and the embroidery. What fascinating memories you must have of this time and place with your loved ones.

    I hope you get to fulfill your dream of travelling there one day.

    Thank you for letting us go with you today in our imaginations!

    A+

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  13. baukje18 March 2010 at 21:05

    I also love the indian cotton in the most incredible colors, so warm and with so many memories.....

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  14. Jo18 March 2010 at 22:44

    Although not number 1 on my travel priority list, it is still up there ... I do hope that oneday you will get the opportunity to take the trip!

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  15. Steph19 March 2010 at 05:28

    Great post on India. We have some friends that just got back from a trip there and they loved it - the food (Mmmm yummy curries) and lovely people. They did say Calcutta was a bit sad because of the way people were living. I love the gorgeous Indian sarees and salwar kameez. How do you feel about Bollywood? Btw your photo of your grandfather is a treasure.

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  16. GardenOfDaisies19 March 2010 at 15:00

    I hope you do get to travel there someday soon.

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  17. Tracy19 March 2010 at 21:19

    If you go to India please can I come with you .
    Loved the blog

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  18. Unknown19 March 2010 at 23:38

    I hope someday you get to go...the only thing that makes me hesitant is the poverty...I know it is pretty desperate in places and my heart would break....

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  19. Amy19 March 2010 at 23:58

    Sorry I am late at posting this for you. I love your India and I is so nice to meet you. Have a wonderful weekend.. Thanks again for stopping by my blog..

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  20. Amanda Lee23 March 2010 at 00:08

    sorry, I'm late for class this time! I too would like to travel to India -- I'm beginning to think our class needs to take a field trip. Shall we ask Mrs. Matlock?

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  21. Personalized Sketches and Sentiments24 March 2010 at 05:16

    I LOVE the sepia photo of your grandfather at his writing table. And what wonderful things from him and his travels to India.

    I agree with Amanda...a field trip would be great!
    Blessings & Aloha!
    (still trying to catch up on all the wonderful "I" posts!)

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  22. Sarah25 March 2010 at 21:05

    What a wonderful post! Sorry to be late, I've been away from my computer. I, too, would like to visit India, but doubt that will ever happen. I have a friend who at 75 made her first trip. She has since returned and would love to go again. She amazes me. She hired a driver and traveled alone.

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