Visiting Bali

One is never quite prepared for the reality of Bali. Emerald hillsides curving spectacularly against  azure skies, satin-ribbon beaches, the sensual fragrance of frangipani and jasmine, timeless temples and a culture of slow grace… for a very small island, Bali packs a huge punch as a travel destination.

Arguably the best known island in the Indonesian archipelago, Bali on a map, looks rather like a large, exotic fish facing westwards. Its central and eastern regions are mountainous. Mount Agung, the highest point is a volcano, last active in 1963. Coral reefs rim the island. Southern Bali has white sand beaches while those on the northern side have black sand. Just eight degrees south of the equator, Bali enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures averaging 88° F(31° C). The best time to visit is in the drier months between June and September when humidity is low and fresh, cool breezes temper the daytime warmth.

In predominantly Islamic Indonesia, Bali is a Hindu enclave. Over 90 percent of the population is adherents of Balinese Hinduism, which is a fascinating amalgam of Hindu, Buddhist and native deities, besides local practices like ancestor worship and animism. Religion pervades every aspect of existence here.

Life has never been the same since the twentieth century traveler stumbled upon Bali. The island makes more money from tourism than the rest of Indonesia, with agriculture now taking second place in the local economy. It’s not hard to figure out why.

From sinfully luxurious hotels to quaint, family-run outfits, Bali has a wide range of accommodation. The western coastline boasts of world class surf spots; the eastern side is better suited for family vacations. Kura and Seminal are towns synonymous with Bali’s happening nightlife. If you’d rather poke around off the beaten track, visit smaller islands like Nusa Lembongan with quiet beaches and no vehicular traffic

The drive through mountains to the northern coast is manna for the tired, urban soul. Terraced paddy fields interspersed with coffee, vanilla, cocoa and spice plantations make a pretty picture. Exploring the misty trails around the volcanoes is a must-do (you can take a walk across the crater lake at Mount Batur).

Art and life are a seamless blend for several of the locals. Many Balinese work in their fields by day and turn into artisans at night. Religious beliefs are an intrinsic part of artistic traditions. Gold and silver jewelry, textiles, woodcraft, stone carving, painting and metalwork – Bali has it all. A visit to artisan villages like Batubalan, Mas, Celuk, Pengosekan and Sukawati will leave your pocket lighter. Most travelers also do the rounds of art galleries and shops at Ubud, the cultural center.

If you’re lucky, you could catch a religious festival in progress involving community dances and worship. If not, there are staged performances for visitors.  Typically, a Balinese dance performance is a heady combination of theater and entertainment based on mythology; often, there’s a fun, interactive element with performers dressed as exotic creatures bounding into the audience.

There are around 20, 000 temples in Bali of which Besakih or the “Mother Temple”, on the way up to Mount Agung, is the largest and most revered. A trip to the seventeenth century Taman Ayun temple can be combined with a tour of the Monkey Forest, home to around 300 Balinese macaques.

What is the meaning & Origin of Namaste ?

The word Namaste is a combination of two Sanskrit terms: Namah (I bow respectfully to you) and Aste (let there be). A literal translation makes little sense; rather, it is the spirit of the greeting that is significant, one that is deferential, cordial and executed with grace and a certain humility.

Most frequently used at the end of a Yoga session in the Western world, Namaste or Namaskar is the word uttered as a traditional greeting in India and parts of Nepal accompanied by folding one’s palms across the chest, as in prayer. Typically, elders and equals in age were greeted with a Namaste, though in modern situations words like “What’s up” have become increasing popular with the youth.

Marble Art from India

Culture rich India has several forms of stone artwork from different regions. Brilliantly painted marble from Rajasthan is one of best examples of such stone artwork and can best be described as ‘poetry in stone.’

Marble painting as an art form originated in Rajasthan during the sixteenth century. The Rajput kings and nobles of this state were dedicated patrons of arts and crafts. In Rajasthan there are around 4000 marble mines and since marble was readily available, it became the canvas for Rajput painters. Intricate images are drawn on stone and the brush of the painters seals it with eternal beauty. Although marble comes in varied hues of white, pink, gray and black, it is generally milky white marble which is used by artists to bring to life human figures, nature, landscapes, objects and animals. The artist successfully captures an image on marble and then uses his unique blend of color schemes to fill that image so that it catches the eye of every beholder.
Various objects with marble paintings make impressive gift items and decorative accessories, and can also be used to add that touch of Rajput royalty and elegance to a home.

A few distinct techniques and styles used in marble painting are:

• ‘Minakari’ work: Minakari is a method by which a design is engraved on marble and then painted with vibrant colors like red, green, black, yellow and blue.
• Devotional paintings: Legendary characters from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata are painted on marble and bright colors are used to bring back the glory of the past.
• Jewelry paintings: This art has its origins in Jaipur and consists of a design being drawn on marble and skillfully made gold leaf being pasted on the jewelry design. Enamel colors as well as glass pieces are used to decorate the design and add to its intricate beauty.
• Miniature paintings: The use of delicate brush strokes can transform an ordinary marble tile into a showpiece worthy of being called a collector’s item. A common depiction is that of Indian musical instruments. These are painted with colors drawn from substances as varied as minerals, vegetables, conch shells and even gold and silver.

Marble paintings are influenced by local schools of art from Kishangarh, Jaipur, Kangra and Mandi. All major centers have their distinct style and many have attained expertise in the depiction of a certain aspect. The Kishangarh School can boast of having attained world class perfection in paintings of women. The Jaipur School focuses on mythological depictions. Many paintings depict local legends and famous royals like Pabuji, a Royal Rajput Prince who is revered by tribesmen for his valor. He fought and defeated the cruel cow-slaughtering ruler Mirza Khan. The brushes of the painters also depict the universal theme of the victory of good over evil through scenes from religious epics and eternal love through the life of Mumtaz and Shahjahan, the famous Mughal couple whose love story is immortalized in the Taj Mahal.

The marble paintings of Rajasthan make memorable and unique gifts for your loved ones. Each one is an exemplary display of the skill of local artisans. Some Handmade marble home decor items can be viewed in our Indian Home Decor collection at Cultural Elements

A Whole New World of Entertainment

17.2 million square feet of world culture, out of this world shopping, around the world food and of course fun for everyone; that’s the Global Village in Dubai.  Fire breathing men from Moscow, a human cannon ball, drummers from South India, amazing street performers and crafts and cuisine from around the world, that’s what makes the Dubai Global Village such a crowd puller every year. This multi cultural theme park is the tourist hotspot of our times. Located in Dubailand, this phenomenal entertainment project is spread over 17.2 million sq. ft. and draws in millions of visitors every year since its opening in 1996.   Keeping in tune with the global theme of this entertainment village the shows and events are drawn from all over the world.  Performances from the US to the Far East and all the countries in between come to life on a grand stage. So, while one can easily groove with the vigorous dancers of Africa, one can just as easily sway to the mystic beats of Sufi music from India. On one hand there is the fun of an American country dance, on the other French fashion of the 1890’s come alive in a traditional dance.   The whole idea is to feel the pulse of world culture and this goes to a new level with the Community Stage. Here people are encouraged to match steps with others or showcase their own talent. For those with shopping on their mind things couldn’t get bigger than the Global Village. The place boasts of country specific exotic pavilions where craftsmen from the world over congregate. Again the buyer is spoilt for choices. An ethnic Japanese kimono? They have it!  A silken carpet? Of course, it’s here! And there are enough ATMs and foreign exchange booths inside to help shoppers indulge.  To round off the entertainment package there is also a grand Fun Fair with rides for everyone in the family. Needless to mention, the restaurants, cafes and kiosks here provide a most exciting culinary journey around the world. This village opens in the evening and stays on well into the night seven days a week. Monday nights are reserved for families only. A robust public transport system is in place to commute to and from the Global Village and ample parking space. Apart from the normal entrance fee there is also a VIP package which includes a number of entry tickets, funfair coupons and also the use of the VIP car park.   On the radar of the most happening places today, the Dubai Global Village is surely a place to up the cultural IQ and carry back some wonderful memories.

A Thousand Stories through A Hundred Objects

The BBC has launched a mammoth of a series in collaboration with the British Museum which will try understanding the history of the human race through a hundred sundry objects in the British Museum. The result is an amazing journey through time told through objects in the museum. Narrated by Neil MacGregor, the Director of the British Museum, this colossal project of Radio 4 promises to be very educating as well as see worthy.

The series called “A History of the World in 100 Objects”, takes viewers two million years back in time. The objects chosen from different locations world wide in various time periods will map the development of our human race till the present days. The weekly themes are devoted to specific topics which make the series even more interesting.

A look at the website devoted to this at bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld gives a good idea of how vast this project is. The pictures of various objects just seem to be hanging in a void and as one move up in time there is a sensation of entering a time warp where you can stop at any moment and explore.

The other interesting thing about the website is that the viewer has a great degree of control over how to arrange his journey through the two million years. For instance, one can chose to go through the objects on a region to region basis or chose a particular culture like the Aztecs or the Vikings. One can explore different materials like metal, cloth or gemstones down the ages or concentrate on themes like art, religion, sport or money. With so many categories to choose from viewers can personalize their exploration of world history as per their own interest.

Human history it is not only about stunning gems, jewelry or mummies. Many things which were part of the daily lives of the ancient people are as relevant or even more in making the world of today possible. These, then are an important part of our history. The kind of objects that one encounters in this program is really diverse. For instance, you will find the exotic Egyptian Anubis mask and also the simple stone hand axe made some 500,000 years ago with which our ancestors hunted for food.

Participation by museums across Britain will surely add much to this series. A program such as this will help not only trace the development of our race but will show the links between our various civilizations. Something very important in the world in which we are living now.

Pictured above: Gold Faberge cufflinks in form of Imperial Eagle. Copyright Harrogate Museums and Arts, Harrogate Borough Council

Over The Top Footwork : The Flamenco Dancers of Spain

Dancing has been an essential element in the Spanish culture. From simple birthday parties to social charity events, dancing can always be observed. There are numerous traditional Spanish dances such as the Sardana, Jota Aragonesa, Zambra, Bolero, Fandango, Paso doble, Muñeira that are still being practiced up to this day. But there is one Spanish dance that is the most famous of them all, the Flamenco. Even while watching TV shows such as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ or ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, you can see that many still choose to dance the Flamenco when it comes to performing classical dances; classical dances that reflect the culture of the place from where they originated.

Flamenco is definitely one of the Spanish dances that will surely grab your attention when it is performed. ‘Baile’, which is the vernacular term for Flamenco is a very famous dance throughout the country of Spain. It is characterized by impromptu movements in sync with the rhythmic guitar and the clapping by the audience of the ‘Bailaor’, the male dancer, and the ‘Bailaora’, the female dancer.

In retrospect, the Flamenco dance was at its peak between the years 1869 to 1910 and was most often than not performed at cafes and was traditionally done to audiences of no more than 20. Believed to be a combination of cultural dances from native Arabic, Sephardic, Islamic and Gypsy, its origins can actually be traced back to Andalusia, with Latin America and Cuba contributing to a big extent to form the Flamenco we know today.

In addition, different dances also have different attires attributed to them. With the Flamenco, male dancers usually don tuxedos colored in black or red with flexible trousers to facilitate freedom of movement, while the female dancers wear white or blue dresses with ruffles matched with high heeled shoes and usually have their long hair tied in a bun. Last but not the least, Flamenco would not be complete without the use of the ‘Castanets’, which is a percussion instrument designed to produce rattling or clicking sounds used in tune with the Flamenco beat.

Are you considering taking up lessons to learn and experience what dancing the Flamenco really feels like?  The Flamenco is a very exquisite dance that exhibits the spontaneity and intuitiveness of the people of Spain. Pure energy in harmony with the guitar and clapping beats is what the Flamenco dance is all about.

The Mughal Empire in India

Introduction

Babur, descendent of the famous Mongol warriors Timur and Ghengis Khan, swept across the Khyber Pass in 1526 and established the Mughal Empire in India. For the next 200 years, the Mughals ruled most of the Indian subcontinent.

The Mughals were known to use brutal tactics to subjugate their empire, but their approach in India was different. They followed a policy of integration with Indian culture, displaying religious tolerance and patronizing Hindu culture. Akbar, Babur’s grandson, was famous for this. He outlawed animal slaughter on Hindu and Jain holy days and rolled back unfair taxes on non-Muslims. He married a local princess, allied with the local Maharajas and attempted to fuse Turko-Persian culture with ancient Indian styles, creating a unique style of architecture. Akbar’s successors added to the Mughal heritage.

The erosion of religious tolerance coupled with increased brutality during the rule of Akbar’s grandson Aurangzeb, resulted in the downfall of the Mughal Empire.  Aurangzeb tried to establish Muslim dominance by destroying prominent Hindu temples and imposing unreasonable taxes on non-Muslims.

After the 1857 uprising in India, the British imprisoned and exiled the then Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, bringing the Mughal rule in India to an end.

Art and Craft

Unlike other invaders who were skilled at fighting wars and little else, the Mughal rulers had a taste for the finer things in life; they appreciated beautifully designed artifacts and enjoyed cultural activities.

The Mughal period is often referred to as the golden period in the history of Indian art, craft, architecture and culture. The Mughal rulers brought with them a rich heritage, which they had acquired from Persia. They introduced many new forms of art such as carpet weaving, inlay work, brocades, enameling and glass engraving. The renowned Peacock Throne of the Mughals is perhaps one of the best examples of gem inlay work and metal craft.

Art forms such as the famous Mughal miniature paintings, enameled jewelry and Pietra dura – exquisite stone inlay work which can be seen at the Taj Mahal – flourished under the Mughal Empire. Their miniature paintings influenced many schools of art such as Rajasthan paintings and the Kangra Pahari schools of miniatures. The Persian style, which blends scripts into the design, gained prominence and was used in several murals. The style became popular and seeped into Hindu temples too, especially in Kaithal, Kalayat and Rohtak.

Architecture

Mughal architecture was a combination of Indian, Islamic and Persian styles of art. The Mughals built majestic mosques, forts, gates, palaces, public buildings, gardens and water tanks. The use of running water in the palaces they built was a unique feature of Mughal architecture.

Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Lahore were the chosen venues for most of the important Mughal buildings. Among the notable Mughal structures are the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Red Fort in Delhi, Humayun’s tomb at Delhi, the tomb of Khan-i- Khanan in south Nizamuddin, the mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandara outside Agra, Jahangir’s tomb at Shahdara across the Ravi from Lahore, the tomb of Aurangzeb’s wife at Aurangabad and Nawab Safdar Jang’s tomb at Delhi.

Akbar was the first Mughal ruler to undertake construction on a large scale and the first great Mughal monument was the tomb he built for his father, Humayun. However, the most notable of Akbar’s constructions was the fort-palace at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. Red sandstone was inlaid with white marble; the surfaces were ornately carved outside and painted inside. The fort had many low arches and bulbous domes that characterized the Mughal style during Akbar’s reign.

With the firm establishment of the Mughal dynasty, architectural development reached its zenith. Towards the end of Jahangir’s rule, the practice of constructing marble buildings and decorating their walls with floral designs of semiprecious stones became common.

The crowning glory of Mughal architecture and one of the most beautiful buildings in the world is the Taj Mahal in Agra, a tomb that Shah Jahan built for his wife Mumtaz, who died during childbirth. The Red Fort in Delhi is another of his great achievements.

The influence of the Mughal style of architecture can be seen in the construction of the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar. Complete with arches and domes it incorporates many features of Mughal architecture.

Egyptian Leather Work – African Gifts

Murals from 4000 BC depict Egyptians wearing high heels made of flexible leather pieces and held onto the foot with leather ties, while panels of gilded leather work appear in some of the tombs. One of the earliest examples of Egyptian leather work is a 980 BC canopy of appliqued leather. And the Egyptian Mathematical Leather Roll, featuring a table of fraction expansions, dates from the Middle Kingdom period.

Egyptians now offer us affordable and practical leather items like wallets, boxes, jackets, cigarette cases, shoes, bags, even dog collars, some accented with gold leaf.

Egyptian Mother of Pearl Furniture and Gifts

As early as 4500 BC, ancient Egyptians used mother of pearl as a personal ornament to make themselves more pleasing to the gods. Fragments of these ornaments, made of inlaid Mother of pearl and silver, still exist today. Mother of Pearl is made from the inside lining of shells like conch or of oyster pearls. A popular item today is the crochet necklace or bracelet of layered pearls and beads on a crocheted foundation.

Inlaid mother of pearl jewelry boxes made of wood or metal are another popular Egyptian handcraft. Constructed of abalone shell mother of pearl, hundreds of finely-cut pieces are hand set into wood or metal individually so that each box is different from others. Especially striking is the way colors are reflected from the surface as a result of how the pieces of pearl are arranged. Mother of pearl is also inlaid into decorative pieces that include silver gilt or gold into their designs.

Traditional Handmade Crafts of Egypt – African Home Decor

Early Egyptians were motivated by gaining favor with the gods and preparing for the afterlife. As such, ancient Egyptian arts and crafts developed as a medium through which to honor the gods and the dead rather than as a way to create functional items for daily use. In ancient Egypt, talented artisans were exalted members of the royal hierarchy and their work was very much in demand by pharaoh and the aristocracy.

When we think of Egyptian arts, we picture the pyramids, Sphinx and treasures of King Tut’s tomb. These are all amazing examples of ancient Egyptian artistry. But the early Egyptians had other talents as well. Many of these ancient arts and crafts are still practiced today exactly as they were in pharaoh’s time, the tools, techniques and secrets having been passed down from generation to generation.

Jewelry making, glass work, metal work, weaving, sculpture, carpentry, papyrus painting and batik are just a few of the traditional arts and crafts still practiced by Egyptian craftsmen of today. Artists continue to improve and refine their skills with specialized trainings and classes throughout their lives. Here are just a few examples of what they do so well.

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