Utensils, Vessels and Hand Engraved Plates

Even now, in most of the Indian households stainless steel utensils and vessels are used. Whenever I go to my hometown (Madurai, India), I am tempted to checkout the shops for new arrivals. Let me try to relive the experience of how it feels to visit a prominent utensil seller.

At the entrance of the shop, the distinct sound of chisel and hammer emerges above all the chaotic noise that is predominant in Indian roads. I take time to look at the silent craftsmen, laboring to beautify brass/copper/stainless utensils.

Hand Engravers - very cheap labor

This time, they were working on brass plates, which are used in pooja (Hindu religious activities).

Doing wonders with chisel and hammer

Engraved with Vinayaka

Once you enter the shop, the dazzling array of utensils from wall to wall is a sight in itself!

It's hard to decide on what to buy and what not, finally I end up buying things that I don't need as well^^.

Like teasers, vessels with handles are hung on the roof and it looks so colorful that I can't stop myself from gazing at them!

Colorful food containers

Actually, this type of carriers is eco-friendly, because locals use it to pack food instead of plastic containers and covers.

Pushpanjali - A Floral Tribute!

It's an age old custom and tradition in India to use flowers for worship, rituals, to honor someone or to welcome guests. Here is a perfect shot that depicts this tradition!

Pushpanjali - Floral Tribute in Sanskrit!

I took this shot during the photo shoot session, meant for designing the souvenir of a dance program to be held in June 2011. This program is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Nrittasamudra dance school. In Sanskrit, 'Nritta' is body movements (as in dance) and 'samudra' is ocean. So, Nrittasamudra is Dance Ocean.

True to its name, Nrittasamudra's founder and eminent classical dancer Mrs. Sandhya is an ocean of expression and I have seen her expressive gestures when she teaches Bharatanatyam to her students. My daughter is one of her students.

Pushpanjali dance is a way of honoring Lord Nataraja - the patron God of Bharatanatyam, Guru - the dance teacher and Sabhaa - the audience! And, my daughter is one of the dancers to perform Pushpanjali dance, at the start of the program.