Performed live at the resort where we were staying... see video below.
A description from Wikipedia:
Mohiniyattam (Malayalam: മോഹിനിയാട്ടം) is a traditional South Indian dance from Kerala, one of the eight Indian classical dance forms. It is a very graceful dance meant to be performed as a solo recital by women. The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words "Mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word "Mohiniyattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress". There are two stories of the Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini. In one, he appears as Mohini to lure the asuras (demons) away from the amrita (nectar of immortality) obtained during the churning of the palazhi or Ocean of Milk.
In the second story Vishnu appears as Mohini to save Lord Shiva from the demon Bhasmasura. The name Mohiniyattam may have been coined after Lord Vishnu, and the main theme of the dance is love and devotion to God, with usually Vishnu or Krishna being the hero. Devadasis used to perform this in temples. But it also has elements of Koothu and Kottiyattom in it. Mohiniyattam is a drama in dance and verse.
This dance which has influences and elements from two South Indian dance forms, the Bharatanatyam and Kathakali, was formulated in the court of king Swati Tirunal by Vadivelu, one of the Thanjavur Quartet. The dance involves the swaying of broad hips and the gentle movements of erect posture from side to side. This is reminiscent of the swinging of the palm leaves and the gently flowing rivers which abound Kerala, the land of Mohiniyattam. There are approximately 40 different basic movements, known as 'atavukal', in Mohiniyattam.
The costume includes white sari embroidered with bright golden brocade (known as kasavu at the edges. The dance follows the classical text of Hastha Lakshanadeepika, which has elaborate description of Mudras (gestural expressions by the hand palm and fingers).
The vocal music of Mohiniyattam involves variations in rhythmic structure known as chollu. The lyrics are in Manipravalam, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam. The Mohiniyattam dance is performed to this accompaniment by the subtle gestures and footwork of the danseuse. The performer uses the eyes in a very coy yet sensual manner, the purpose being to enchant the mind without enticing the senses.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
More on Kerala
Thank you, friends and family for reading and your fun comments and e-mails.
Yes, we did use the outdoor bathroom. It was the only one. :)
No, the bed by the pool wasn't the only one. We slept indoors.
Yes, there were mosquitoes. Mostly at dawn and dusk, same as MN. We brought bug spray. And slept indoors. :)
YES, exotic. And YES to critters. There was a full-time spiderweb swabber on the grounds, walking around with a dustmop to clean off lamp posts, etc. Walked through lots of spider webs on the 10-minute path to the restaurant for each meal. Had to snatch my toiletries bag before a lizard jumped into it. (But I like the lizards; they eat the mosquitoes.)
Was reading outside cross legged on the outdoor "bed", heard what sounded exactly like a drop of water and looked around, feeling for a wet spot. Nothing. Then several minutes later, I felt a wiggling/tickling on my ankle... a centipede/millipede? (need to read up on the distinction). I may have jumped up in alarm and chosen another reading spot. I don't know if I am more wigged out by bugs here because they are unfamiliar or if I am just getting soft in my old age and not camping as much. Hmmmm. Exotic.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Anniversary Trip to Kerala
Here are some photos (will write more about it soon) of our trip to Kerala, neighboring coastal state. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary for 2 days together, leaving the kids in the competent care of another expat family. My DEAR husband gave me (and thought of himself!) the gift of going 2 days early, alone, to relax, refresh and recharge. It was a wonderful retreat. But (and thus) I enjoyed the time with him even more.
I captioned some of the photos. A few still bear explanation. The first 2/3rds are from a tour we took in a small motor boat. The last third are of us--yes, we've still got it going on--and the lovely place we stayed.
To come soon: more about Kerala, birds, boats, and a short video of traditional dance
I captioned some of the photos. A few still bear explanation. The first 2/3rds are from a tour we took in a small motor boat. The last third are of us--yes, we've still got it going on--and the lovely place we stayed.
To come soon: more about Kerala, birds, boats, and a short video of traditional dance
Friday, July 17, 2009
Belated photos: Chikmagalur
This is the lovely place that we reached by the train adventures mentioned in the last post... worth it! I think it was my favorite day in India.
The resort where we stayed was absolutely breathtaking. 70 acres of coffee plantation with biking paths all around. The villas were lovely. It even had a park for the kids. Our nephew Elijah was a big hit in the kitchen. It's new, only a year old, so it's somewhat undiscovered. Props to my great husband for finding it!
Haven't managed to caption the photos, but in general:
- The lush, green mountain is Muliyangiri, the highest peak in our state, Karnataka (over 6,000ft). It was SO wonderful to hike and climb, to be out of the city and enjoy fresh air. Raju and Shae had a rock hurling contest atop one rise. You'd be surprised at who won. :) We were besieged by requests for our photos, as always. They were taken by someone who didn't know how to zoom out.
- The picture of Shae in a fetal position in an outdoor tub = killer hiding spot for hide-and-seek
The resort where we stayed was absolutely breathtaking. 70 acres of coffee plantation with biking paths all around. The villas were lovely. It even had a park for the kids. Our nephew Elijah was a big hit in the kitchen. It's new, only a year old, so it's somewhat undiscovered. Props to my great husband for finding it!
Haven't managed to caption the photos, but in general:
- The lush, green mountain is Muliyangiri, the highest peak in our state, Karnataka (over 6,000ft). It was SO wonderful to hike and climb, to be out of the city and enjoy fresh air. Raju and Shae had a rock hurling contest atop one rise. You'd be surprised at who won. :) We were besieged by requests for our photos, as always. They were taken by someone who didn't know how to zoom out.
- The picture of Shae in a fetal position in an outdoor tub = killer hiding spot for hide-and-seek
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Belated post: TRAIN adventures
We had our first experience on an Indian train when my sister Ellen, nephew Elijah, and Cousin Sarah came to visit in June. We couldn’t all fit in the car with luggage for our overnight trip to Chikmagalur, a “hill station”, cooler, higher elevation locale not too far from the city. The train ride is 3.5 hours; by car it takes about 4-5 hours. We (Ellen, Sarah, Elijah, Hannah, Matthew and I) boarded the train in our AC class (air conditioned, one of the nicer cabins) cabin at 6:00am and Shae went by car because we needed it once we arrived to drive 45 minutes from train station to resort.
The kids LOVED it and time passed fairly quickly. As you can see in the pictures, there were two bench seats facing one another and bunks above. Spacious, not crowded. Reasonably clean. We were stared at but not touched or bothered too much. Apart from trying to take the kids to the bathroom (imagine motion + toilet = hole in floor = their pee on MY legs), it wasn’t too eventful.
Round trip tickets for 6 people: $35.00 total. This could be due in part to the fact that we returned the next evening, a SUNDAY. AC class was full as lots of people were returning to the city for their jobs after having visited their villages over the weekend. We booked ahead of time but only S2 (second class sleeper) cars were available.
Before I proceed with the crazy details, let me thank God for the mercy that my children rode back in the car with Shae for a variety of reasons. This is a mercy because, #1) the train was over an hour late, which left Ellen, Sarah, Elijah and I waiting at the station in a tiny town not accustomed to foreigners. Another creative mercy that evening: one of the substitute drivers who had worked for us (when our driver had typhoid—have I blogged about that yet????), happened to be from this little town and had visited that weekend for his cousin’s wedding. So, instead of being totally stared at/stalked, we were surrounded by his family, meeting the bride, talking with the few who spoke English. What a mercy to have their “protection” as we were waiting for over an hour.
Despite the fact that we had inquired of a uniform-clad official, with our driver’s help in the local language (Kannada), where we should await our cabin of the train (you have to be on the right part of the platform so you can jump on the train quickly; it only stops for a very short time), we were on the opposite end and had to run, jump, try not to trample, and scramble to our cabin. We stepped on as the train started moving.
First sight to meet my eyes: several men chained to their seats with hand and foot cuffs. Charming. We’re not in AC class anymore, Toto. We proceed to our seats; we had purchased SIX, though it was just the 3 adults and 1 child who ended up riding. Our seats were occupied and no one in the vicinity spoke or admitted to speaking English. I couldn’t find any official person from whom to request assistance. As I wandered bewildered, a very kind man who’d been traveling for 20+ hours from Delhi and was perched on the edge of a row, offered his seat to Ellen who was holding Elijah. A nasty old lady from Rajasthan sat across from him with her legs thrust out lengthwise, blocking us from sitting on the bench. We made many pleading gestures and she stuck her legs out further. Her sari-clad, veiled daughter-in-law and grandson sat stony faced across from her and offered no help, though they later warmed slightly and asked a few questions in very good English. Sarah and I sucked in and folded up to make ourselves as small as possible, resting our bottoms on the sliver of seat not occupied by the old lady.
EVERYWHERE we looked our eyes met curious stares for the ENTIRE 4+ hour ride. It was a longer return journey, to be sure. Other excitements: my dear nephew Elijah has severe food allergies, primarily to nuts. We noticed within minutes that there were some unshelled peanuts crushed on the floor. Had to keep the little guy (2.5 yrs) off of it the whole time. Then, the kind aforementioned gentleman, purchased a snack to share with us… containing peanuts. I tried to eat enough to be polite and then left to find a bathroom, though I was really hoping for a trash can. As I searched, I was instructed that there was no repository for waste and I should throw it out the nearest juncture between the cars. Felt very odd to do that!
Anyway, we arrived tired, a little stinky—though it had been mercifully cool and a little rainy that evening, but safely at the Bangalore train station at 10pm. Then an hour and a half car ride home. Crazy.
The kids LOVED it and time passed fairly quickly. As you can see in the pictures, there were two bench seats facing one another and bunks above. Spacious, not crowded. Reasonably clean. We were stared at but not touched or bothered too much. Apart from trying to take the kids to the bathroom (imagine motion + toilet = hole in floor = their pee on MY legs), it wasn’t too eventful.
Round trip tickets for 6 people: $35.00 total. This could be due in part to the fact that we returned the next evening, a SUNDAY. AC class was full as lots of people were returning to the city for their jobs after having visited their villages over the weekend. We booked ahead of time but only S2 (second class sleeper) cars were available.
Before I proceed with the crazy details, let me thank God for the mercy that my children rode back in the car with Shae for a variety of reasons. This is a mercy because, #1) the train was over an hour late, which left Ellen, Sarah, Elijah and I waiting at the station in a tiny town not accustomed to foreigners. Another creative mercy that evening: one of the substitute drivers who had worked for us (when our driver had typhoid—have I blogged about that yet????), happened to be from this little town and had visited that weekend for his cousin’s wedding. So, instead of being totally stared at/stalked, we were surrounded by his family, meeting the bride, talking with the few who spoke English. What a mercy to have their “protection” as we were waiting for over an hour.
Despite the fact that we had inquired of a uniform-clad official, with our driver’s help in the local language (Kannada), where we should await our cabin of the train (you have to be on the right part of the platform so you can jump on the train quickly; it only stops for a very short time), we were on the opposite end and had to run, jump, try not to trample, and scramble to our cabin. We stepped on as the train started moving.
First sight to meet my eyes: several men chained to their seats with hand and foot cuffs. Charming. We’re not in AC class anymore, Toto. We proceed to our seats; we had purchased SIX, though it was just the 3 adults and 1 child who ended up riding. Our seats were occupied and no one in the vicinity spoke or admitted to speaking English. I couldn’t find any official person from whom to request assistance. As I wandered bewildered, a very kind man who’d been traveling for 20+ hours from Delhi and was perched on the edge of a row, offered his seat to Ellen who was holding Elijah. A nasty old lady from Rajasthan sat across from him with her legs thrust out lengthwise, blocking us from sitting on the bench. We made many pleading gestures and she stuck her legs out further. Her sari-clad, veiled daughter-in-law and grandson sat stony faced across from her and offered no help, though they later warmed slightly and asked a few questions in very good English. Sarah and I sucked in and folded up to make ourselves as small as possible, resting our bottoms on the sliver of seat not occupied by the old lady.
EVERYWHERE we looked our eyes met curious stares for the ENTIRE 4+ hour ride. It was a longer return journey, to be sure. Other excitements: my dear nephew Elijah has severe food allergies, primarily to nuts. We noticed within minutes that there were some unshelled peanuts crushed on the floor. Had to keep the little guy (2.5 yrs) off of it the whole time. Then, the kind aforementioned gentleman, purchased a snack to share with us… containing peanuts. I tried to eat enough to be polite and then left to find a bathroom, though I was really hoping for a trash can. As I searched, I was instructed that there was no repository for waste and I should throw it out the nearest juncture between the cars. Felt very odd to do that!
Anyway, we arrived tired, a little stinky—though it had been mercifully cool and a little rainy that evening, but safely at the Bangalore train station at 10pm. Then an hour and a half car ride home. Crazy.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blogging - In Between the Pictures
Dear friends,
Thank you for reading. Thank you for your comments.
The pictures I post are the easiest way to blog... just a few clicks. Most speak for themselves. They are taken when we are smiling, with friends, having a good time. And there are lots of times like that.
It's hard to blog about what's in between the pictures. Sometimes it's just the everyday stuff, not so different from your lives. Sometimes I am afraid to write because I feel frustrated, overwhelmed, exhausted and don't want to "complain". It's hard to know how to express some of these things.
I have lots of potential blog posts floating in my head and maybe they'll sort themselves out soon and make their way to the screen.
When I have the time to write, I find I'm usually bushed and would rather read or sleep.
The camera has been with Shae at work; he's taking pictures of his expanding team and matching faces and names (over 200 all together, I think). We'll add more photos when he's finished.
Love from Bangalore,
Lisa
Thank you for reading. Thank you for your comments.
The pictures I post are the easiest way to blog... just a few clicks. Most speak for themselves. They are taken when we are smiling, with friends, having a good time. And there are lots of times like that.
It's hard to blog about what's in between the pictures. Sometimes it's just the everyday stuff, not so different from your lives. Sometimes I am afraid to write because I feel frustrated, overwhelmed, exhausted and don't want to "complain". It's hard to know how to express some of these things.
I have lots of potential blog posts floating in my head and maybe they'll sort themselves out soon and make their way to the screen.
When I have the time to write, I find I'm usually bushed and would rather read or sleep.
The camera has been with Shae at work; he's taking pictures of his expanding team and matching faces and names (over 200 all together, I think). We'll add more photos when he's finished.
Love from Bangalore,
Lisa
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A night out with some friends
A fun evening out with some of the great ladies I've met here. We celebrated July 4th (and the 5th :)).
Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Mystery Fruit #7
Hard to get a good picture--it's a little larger than a grape, oblong, large pit in center (like an olive's)
Your guess??
Your guess??
Around the house
Hannah and Elise making chapati
My son lounging and reading in his glass slippers
Watch out, ladies! He'll charm you and then steal your shoes.
My son lounging and reading in his glass slippers
Watch out, ladies! He'll charm you and then steal your shoes.
Coconuts and land snails
Things that remind me we live in INDIA...
Coconut climber/cleaner man
At work
Fruits of his labor
In our neighbor's garden: the shell is at least 5 inches long!
Coconut climber/cleaner man
At work
Fruits of his labor
In our neighbor's garden: the shell is at least 5 inches long!
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