Can we hope?

The AAP is contesting Delhi elections this time. There are many encouraging features of the party being a viable alternative to the current parties in the fray. Details here:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-aam-aadmis/article5276645.ece?homepage=true

Some excerpts:

Of the 63 candidates declared so far, seven are women

One of its oldest candidates so far is 60-year-old Baljeet Singh Mann and the youngest is 26-year-old Rakhi Birla

It has received Rs.16.8 crore in individual donations till date, and lists all donors on its website.

Among the candidates are a Muslim contesting from a Hindu majority territory, an auto driver and a decorated ex-commando.

Politicians are egoists and manipulators, and nothing can be done of that. And the AAP seems to be a single agenda party (Wipe corruption out). Still, all the above seem to be heartening signs that we can escape the grip of the corrupt and the violent that are the options till now. 

Can this be an one-time opportunity to change the course of India? 

Thoughts?

Remembering Giri Mama

For all the times I stayed at their home in Bitragunta, for the time he made me push the stalled bike for 3 kilometers, for all the chocolates he bought Aditya and for all the mosquito bites Srinivas endured to watch the Chiranjeevi movie he insisted on taking us to. And for all those people who lose their lives in highway accidents.

We will miss you Giri Mama.....

RIP Manna Dey

Cannot be more true.......

                          

                      తులసి మా లక్ష్మిలొ చిన్ని పిచుకమ్మ 

A pichukala gudu in tulasi chettu!!!

I am so glad

Best Dasara Ever!!!!

We had a great Dasara celebration this year.

First, my quick trial setup of bommala koluvu snowballed into a major effort (as things usually do when I start something, never by half-measures :-) or as nanna says, if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well). Until I set it up, I did not realize I had these many dolls, so a quick research later, the koluvu steps are built with stair risers and stair planks from home depot (can be dis-assembled with a quick screwdriver effort and stored flat)

Quick setup later Lord venkateswara is added as the first murthy, followed by ammavaaru(didn't attach the head before I took the picture :-().

You have already seen the final efforts, so I won't repeat them here. Aditya and Mrudula spent a good amount of time building the Christmas Village and the Camp Half-Blood and Mrudula helped immensely in putting together the final decorative touches like the hanging garlands and the bells.

Aditya also got involved in the process, even though forcibly at first, but started enjoying the whole "ayudha pooja", where we got the cars washed and decorated our laptops and aditya's books with flowers, pasupu and kunkuma. He mixed the "pappu bellalu" for prasadam, gave harathi and dhoopam to our "ayudhams", and offered the coconuts. Arjun did his part by banging the bell (ganta) on the cars when asked to ring it for the harathi.

"Ayudha" Pooja

Cousins and their iPads

Aditya was also responsible for "deeparadhana" for the kalasam setup as part of the koluvu for these whole 10-days. 

We had a lot of our friends visit our house for the "perantam", partake the excellent pakodas, guggillu and kharjuram sweet by Nabeela as well as my Rava Kesari (that turned out excellent, even though I say so :-) ), enjoy the koluvu, discuss the significance of various dolls with their kids, compare the traditions with their own Dasara setup and take tamboolam. 

Finally, Sudha and Mrudula sang aigiri nandini and Sudha read Lalitha sahasranam for a great end to our celebrations.

All in all, one of the best festival celebrations and further introduction of our customs and culture to the kids. 

Bommala Koluvu 2013

After bringing two suitcase full of dolls from the recent India trip, I setup my first Bommala Koluvu in USA. This time around it was a trial to see what setup I need and I plan to have this for Sankranthi from next year. This will give Aditya time over the winter break to work over displays more complex than the one he put together this time.

Here are some pictures...

Gods & Goddesses

Settamma, Settayya w/ Gotalu full of sarukulu and a traasu

Professions

Add caption

Dolls of the world -1: Nicaragua, France, Dubai, China, USA, Kenya, Peru, Panama, Japan, Austria, Canada, Bermuda, Indonesia and Vietnam

Dolls of the world - 2: Uruguay, Romania, Germany, Australia, UK, Switzerland and Malaysia

Winter Village - setup by Mrudula and Adi

Camp Half Blood from the book series Percy Jackson by Aditya. Poseidon in the  ocean; Greek Half-blood Heroes fighting Medusa, Minotaur; Pegasus, Centaur, Cyclops and Cerberus; a Starwberry patch (full credit to Mrudula)

ANIMALS FARM

If kirankumar reddy CRITICISES it is DHIKKARAM and anti govt . when rahul ABUSES it is voicing  concern .
All are equal some are more equal.
GEORGE ORWELL  a great visionary