Candles

Candles have been a part of our culture for many years .Candle burning is part of our day to day life and many of us don't even realize how much. In our day to day life candles are lit at church, lit at funerals and always lit at the top of our birthday cakes that we blow out each and every year. Candle colours to have their own significance which I shall deal with in my following post . "Candle Color Believers" usually burn candles along with other forms of beliefs and for many of us candle burning is a religious belief for others it is a form of therapy , for some a part of healing and for me one of the passions and are necessary element to enhance the interiors . Few candles ( along with the link to source ) that may tempt you to elaborate your collection.....

                                       http://www.fabfurnish.com/home-decor/candles/?page=1

                                                        Image courtesy Fab Furnish.com

Wall Decals

Wall decals are specially prepared paper bearing a picture or design for transfer to wood, metal, glass,etc and as the name suggests walls of course. I myself being an interior designer have an opportunity to play with colours all the time  but my all time favourite is white with a splash of colour and  that makes my style statement. Well , I really don't like to impose my  preferences on my clients as  its them , who ultimately have to live with those colours but I have rarely failed to sell my ideas to them. Here is a tip along with the links ( where one can source the relevant products from )   that can make a difference to your home as well .

http://www.fabfurnish.com/home-decor/wall-decals-stickers/

Image courtesy Fab Furnish.com

The Beginning Of Another Night

Every object around us has a story to tell so does the sun while it sets " The beginning of another night " I was fortunate to have the company of  A.M.Faruqui (Photo journalist) else  there was no way I could have captured the  mesmerising sunset !

all pictures Copyright ©2012alkanarula 
Photo credits A.M.Faruqui

Bedia Tribe Madhya pradesh

 Bednia often referred as Bedia , a Schedule Tribe in India,  inhabits Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. They are known to be skilled in the folk arts of dance and music, rural acrobatics and black magic. It is believed that to a member of the warrior caste, robbery or prostitution is preferable to manual labour. During the British colonial rule, this nomadic tribe was branded  as  Bad man  (known as  bedias in Hindi meaning wolfs) which later deteriorated and came to known as Bednia .  These people are notorious for their tradition of introducing girls into prostitution.Marriage generally is not allowed for Bedia girls, especially within their community, although community marriages do occur sparingly. But once these marriages take place within their own community, Bedia girls are not permitted to dance or resort to prostitution.

I waited for four months since I watched a documentary on a nomadic tribe in India who encourage their girls to prostitution and the boys therefore are pre-destined to become pimps. Driven by strong urge to visit to understand them and work for  betterment of this community took me to Madhya Pradesh last week . A different world which most of us cant imagine lies in out skirts of Bhopal , approximately 225 kms away from the city . There are about 51 such communities which inhabit Madhya Pradesh and live a non existent life. I travelled village to village and the bond I developed with them has given me one more aim to achieve, though an uphill task but I strongly believe " Where there is a will there's a way " And I am sure to find a way for upliftment of this tribe and the work has already begun.

In my next post I will be sharing the facts that I learnt from the ground zero and the perception people have about them from little they have learnt about Bedias on television channels or read about them . They live with a  painful past with some hope in the present  and  a bright future that I promised to them , which I hope I will be able to live up to with the determination I have. I make a strong appeal to everyone to support me in this great mission  

all pictures Copyright ©2012alkanarula 
Photo credits A.M.Faruqui. 

A must watch film JAL

After a long time a film that takes away the credit of a perfect combination of art and entertainment. The film, which had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival last month, stars Purab Kohli, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Kirti Kulhari in lead roles.

                                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNNEXQ-YcV8

JAL is a high-octane, action- drama with a shocking climax. Shot on an epic scale, the film is a visual treat and has managed to capture ‘Rann Of Kutch’ like never before prompting even ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ to applaud Jal as “A breathtakingly photographed tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.



JAL is the story of the handsome and willful water diviner, BAKKA who is gifted with a special ability to find water in the desert. With the backdrop of water scarcity, the film tells a complex and intriguing story of love, relationships, enmity, deceit and circumstances that bring about the dark side of human character. Jal was the only Indian film to be among the selected 12 films in competition at the Busan International Film Festival. It received a great response from the International media as well as the audience at the festival. and was allotted 5 screenings at the festival and all the shows were sold out.



After Busan, Jal was selected in the Indian Panorama section at IFFI, Goa alongside such celebrated films as Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Paan Singh Tomar. At IFFI also it received an overwhelming audience response, strengthening the belief that this is a film that caters to both the intelligentsia and the masses.A worth watching filme indeed .




Photo credits Google image search results

The Heritage Suite

As mentioned in Noor Us Sabah Palace Bhopal# ,  my previous post  The WelcomHeritage# , not only had oozing beauty that one could not take eyes off but the interiors of the The Heritage Suite were equally impressive and done up keeping in view the regal times . .The colour scheme  ( though not commonly used by Nawabs# ) was so effectively that I ignored the dominant colour mauve that otherwise could have been an eyesore for me ! The blend of mauve , lavender with subtle beige with intricate wood work in deep wall nut and natural colur made it  appear not only stunning but also reminds one of the gracious living and traditions of Bhopal# .The palace is a perfect setting for a sublime stay . Few pictures of The Heritage  Suite# leading to a balcony overlooking lush green gardens and serene beauty of the Bhopal lake ...

all pictures Copyright ©2012alkanarula

Noor Us Sabah Palace Bhopal

When I was told that I am booked in Noor-Us-Sabah Palace# one of the best hotels in Bhopal   I wasn't too sure about the property but my opinion changed after I stepped in the hotel. A Welcom Heritage Hotel  atop a small hill , overlooking the tranquil beauty of Bhopal lake# turned out to be one of the best experience for me .The name "Noor Us Sabha meaning "The Light Of Dawn "built in 1920's by By HH Hamid Ullah Khan for his daughter Abida Sultan , a a white palatial building reflects the regal times and grandeur of a bygone era. The Central Cascade courtyard brings back the memories of a charming Nawab Evening . Few pictures of the elegance of past -#noorussabhapalace #bhopal

all pictures Copyright ©2012alkanarula