Hola people! I am terribly excited to be participating once again in Cee’s photo challenges. I didnt know how much I had missed them until now 😀 Thank you Cee! This one is a black and white challenge on the topic of circles and curves. Scroll down to see what I dug out from my archives – up to you to find the curves and circles. 😉
Starting with a demon mask to ward off any evil eye 😉
Moving in on a stationary bike 😀
Some shiny musical curves
A choosy guitarist, surely you can find a couple of curves?
Show off!
An English breakfast spread (from Dublin courtesy my lil sister and our friend)
A traditional Indian (more specifically Bengali) fishy meal served on a massive brass plate.
And here’s the original version at Rupali’s request! Did it help or worsen your craving? 😀
And end it with a finger-licking scrumptious butterscotch cake
Thank you for visiting! Do let me know which was your favorite shot. Have a super weekend.
“What a historic day*!” Rohan exulted. “We are free! The society has been forced to accept us.”
His wife swallowed. “Co…congratulations.”
Rohan looked at his watch. “Why aren’t you ready?”
“I thought you’d be out celebrating with…with your boyfriend.”
“Don’t think so much.” He snapped. “Get ready.”
“I…I don’t feel like…”
“Did I ask you?”
“Fine!” She stood up. “Let’s go.”
“Are you crazy? Go to a family function dressed like that? Wear the red and gold silk sari.”
“That’s so bling!”
“I don’t care.”
“Take Ma, she’s dressed.”
“She’s overdressed.” Rohan fumed. “With Dad gone, it’s time she wore sober colors**.”
***
*Earlier this month, in a (welcome and long overdue) landmark verdict, the Supreme Court in India overturned the controversial section 377 a 158-year old law against consensual gay sex. The judgement heralds a new dawn for personal libertyand a major victory for the LGBTQ community.
**In India, widows were (are) supposed to wear only white and red is the prerogative of married women.
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Dale for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.
We Indians are blessed with many Gods and Goddesses but I think I can safely say that the cutest and most adorable of them is the Elephant-headed pot bellied four armed single tusked Lord Ganesha. Although on second thoughts Krishna in his childhood avatar is probably equally adored and cute 🙂
Lord Ganesha is also the Lord of beginnings and the Remover of all obstacles. This Ganesha Chathurthi I wish you all new auspicious beginnings and share a beautiful mosaic of the God made by our own dear friend and artist Ferdi (Ilfordian). She appears to a bit underweather d these days but I would like to request her to share some details about her artwork and thank her for allowing me to share it with you all 🙂
Image (c) Ilfordian
Don’t miss the tiny mouse at the bottom – never fails to amaze (and amuse) me how Lord Ganesha manages to sit on the mouse (although some believe it is a rat or a shrew) without squashing it 😀 But then legend has it that there was a celestial musician Krauncha who accidentally stepped on the foot of Muni Vamadeva who was infuriated enough to curse Krauncha to become a mouse. The curse turned Krauncha into a massive mouse who ended up damaging everything and anything. Once he made the mistake of destroying the ashram of Maharishi Parashar where Lord Ganesha was also staying. To teach the destructive Krauncha a lesson, Lord Ganesha looped a noose around his neck and subdued him. Krauncha begged pardon and requested salvation. Lord Ganesha forgave him and accepted him as his vehicle which Krauncha gratefully accepted. But then the Lord was too heavy for Krauncha so taking pity on him, the Lord became lighter so that Krauncha could easily support him.
The other angle is that as the Destroyer of all obstacles with a mouse as His vehicle, Ganesha is able to enter into all nooks and crannies with ease and gives Him Omnipresence. Alternatively, the mouse is the destroyer of a farmer’s crop and by subduing it, the Lord removes their obstacle. There are many other stories of Ganesha like this one here which explains why Ganesha has a single tusk. Well one of the versions anyway!
I have always wondered what the chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya” meant and this time I exerted myself to google it. Ganpati is a combination of two words – Gan is group and pati is ruler or lord (Like really? Oh well I guess I better not go there...) and Bappa is Father or Lord. Morya is a bit tricky with two explanations. The more popular one is the one which speaks about a 14th Century saint Morya Gosavi who was a crazed devotee of Ganpati and did severe penance to please his Lord. Pleased, Ganesh asked him to choose his boon and all he wanted was to be forever associated with him and hence the chant Ganpati Bapppa Morya.
The other explanation is that Morya is a combination of two words – Mhora ya which means come ahead and bless us. I personally prefer this explanation as it makes more sense but then again, both explanations could be right!
Meaning: 1: (I meditate on Sri Ganesha) Who has a Curved Trunk, Large Body, and Who has the Brilliance of a Million Suns, 2: O Lord, Please make all my Works, free of Obstacles, always.
“Yes. A thousand times yes. My love for you shines brighter than the moon.”
“That I agree.”
“Then…?”
“Your love lives off my love. No wonder it’s fickle and ever-changing.”
“Don’t say that!”
“Why not? It’s the bitter truth unlike your sweet lies. Your game is up for I can see through your fake protestations of undying avowals of love.”
“Don’t be so mean. My love for you is pure!”
“The only thing pure about you is the darkness of your soul.” He picked up his bag.
***
Written (after an eon and this one too almost slipped out – or perhaps it would have been better if it had missed the bus) for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Gah Learner for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Moving in on a stationary bike 😀
Some shiny musical curves
A choosy guitarist, surely you can find a couple of curves?
Show off!
An English breakfast spread (from Dublin courtesy my lil sister and our friend)
A traditional Indian (more specifically Bengali) fishy meal served on a massive brass plate.
And end it with a finger-licking scrumptious butterscotch cake
Stories and more 