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

22 comments:

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, India would be an interesting place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  8. 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!!

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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!!~

    ReplyDelete
  11. 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

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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+

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hope you do get to travel there someday soon.

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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....

    ReplyDelete
  19. 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..

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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?

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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.

    ReplyDelete