Pokemon Go! my latest craze

Addiction! How long does it take one to get addicted to something? It took me just 10 minutes and I knew this is so me. Wel the word has been go go GO! since Sunday morning in my mind. Singapore released it on Saturday, I got mine on Sunday and since then I have walked the city crazy.
Previously I would shop for groceries every monday morning, come home straight from the mall to go out for lunch. But the change, after safely depositing my groceries in my boot, I started walking. Walked the entire mall in search of them!!! What a morning it turned out to be. Lunch was spent 'luring' more with 'incenses'.

My language for the past two days has been in XP, CP and HP. The food I would love is just 'Candy' and 'Razz Berry'. I have walked and walked to 'hatch the eggs'!
In just a day I went up 11 levels. I graduated from '0' to '200' in my kitty. The flip side is I have a very annoyed husband who hates me stopping every 2 minutes, to play with the 'ball' for a change. I have a super frustrated son, who is being a parent and advising me to look where i walk;) Ofcourse Singtel must be the happy party here as my data must have shot through the roof, obviously there is no wifi around the parks and beaches where these creatures pop up most!
Past two nights my dreams are invaded with hits, misses and various flying or jumping objects. I have got up singing and humming to myself 'Gottcha catch them all'!
Now I hate staying indoors, get me to the pokestops, drive me as i just want to be a passenger now! My Pokedex is ticking. Gotta catch them all. Pokemon here I GO!!
The sari lover in me wants my next sari with all the 151 pokemons printed on it!

A visit to the temple

I promised my lil princess to do something different on these two days, she was here to with me. Mother daughter set off to explore our little island. It's just a stone's throw away this treasure trove. The lhama temple on Sims Avenue. Very unassuming building from outside, what had impressed me over the year, I had been crossing this building was, the impressive entrance. We decided to walk in to see what lay beyond. 

A very warm welcome by Dereck, who very sweetly offered  to show us around. A pleasant surprise awaited as we explored floor after floor of this 5 story building. 

While on the first floor just behind the massive red doors are these impressive Buddha statues

 Derick took us straight to the fifth floor. Buddha with thousand hands, a wishing fountain behind a bell, with flowing water all round. This terrace is often used as the meditation place, when weather permits. There is a pillar with chants written, used by the 'master' to circle around, when he visits. 

The 4th floor is where the gods of wealth and wishes rest. The entrance to this floor has 8 Buddha statues in a wall. There is a wall inside with 88 Buddhas, these are adopted by members families, for their ancestors. The beauty of this wall when lit, is truly amazing. To our utter disbelief we saw our very dear 'Ganpati' Ji amongst the wealth gods worshipped by the Lhamas. 

The roof told a beautiful story of its own. There are 8 fairies hanging from the roof, making it completely surreal, seems the heavens have opened their gateway. 

The 3rd floor is used for class room training for young students. They are taught various skills, from chanting to incense making. The roofs in the class rooms have been specially hand painted.

What totally floored the mother daughter duo, is yet to come! The 2nd floor of the building houses a library and a tea corner. They have specially custom made teas to order from. What I loved here were the tea rooms. One can hire these rooms and get a flow of tea. The rooms can house 4 to 8 people.

I strongly recommend this as a must visit on your day off, next time. Vesak day one can go and light a candle in the temple. 

Z #Saris_A2Z

#Saris_A2Z as we reach letter 'Z' making this Saturday sparkle with the glitter of Zari, yes it's saris with Zari and Zardosi work featured today, and if it's a sari bought from 'Zari' it deserves to featured here..

Zardozi embroidery is beautiful metal embroidery. Zardozi embroidery work involves making elaborate designs, using gold and silver threads. Further adding to the magnificence of the work are the studded pearls and precious stones. Initially, the embroidery was done with pure silver wires and real gold leaves. However, today, craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and a silk thread. 

Zari is an even thread traditionally made of fine gold or silver. This thread is used in the Zardozi embroidery. 

#iluvsaris @DemureDrapes

S #Saris_A2Z

#Saris_A2Z today our monday madness goes up a bit more with letter 'S'

Share your Shibori stories as I don't possess this and hence could not take a shoot in the same...

Another sari with letter 'S'~

Sungudi Saris...are traditional cotton saris from the village Chinnalapatti, Tamil Nadu, defined by the patterns of block prints and tie & dye designs. Also, known as Chinnalapattu saris. These are known by the names of ‘Sungudi sari’, Madhurai Sari, and Chinnalapattu.

The Sungudi saris are usually longer than the other kinds of saris available in the market.

One of the unique features of Sungudi saris is that they have Bandhani pattern or print on the whole sari. The Sungudi print saris are very light weight and comfortable wear.

The Sungudi saris are usually made from pure cotton fabric and the saris are dyed in natural colors. Since, it involves manual labor, the designs and patterns vary across each piece.The designs and colors of the sari may vary, but the fabric is pure cotton.The main feature of Sungudi saris is that they have bright colors along with contrasting borders, mostly in gold.

#iluvsaris Demure Drapes

R #Saris_A2Z

#Saris_A2Z today lets explore into the 'r' saris. I have looked hard and come up with this one name. Seek help and and advise from all you sari lovers for help. Pls add to the list. 'Rasipuram saris...'

Seetha was the savior in disguise this time. She lent her 'r'asipuram sari for the shoot..

Rasipuram saris are manufactured in Southern part of India. The silk saris from this place are very popular. The cottons here

have a very unique structure like silk, it is washable as it is pure cotton sari. It does come with very bright gold Zari work border with grand pallu.

#iluvsaris Demure Drapes

Story of a Sari #Saris_A2Z

Hi DemureDrapes...

"Swarnachari are regal, legacy saris from the stable of Balucharis. In yester years, each piece was almost akin to sculpting a rare piece of art and often handed over generations to be adorned on important occasions. 

I have tried my best,  telling the story of the Swarnachari as I saw with eyes and heart.

Thanks

Amrita...

Story of a Swarnachari...

"Maya and Me

"Don't touch me". 

Who was that? A startled Maya turned around.  Nobody ever came to this inner most boudoir. It was her grandma's. Now that she was no more, it was rarely opened, other than when her mom got it cleaned. She had come here today very excitedly because her mom just told her that she could wear her grandma's Swarnachari sari on her wedding day. Though there were three more equally beautiful saris, her parents had bought, she had begged her mom to let her wear her grandma's Swarnachari for the pheras.

Turning back again,  she found no one there. So she tugged at the Swarnachari. " I said don't pull me like that". Maya slumped to the floor, pale with fear. " Who r you ? Why don't you reveal yurself". 

"I'm your Swarnachari. I have been lying here peacefully for several years. Nobody  dared to wake me up, without being gentle. You could have  hurt me the way you pulled me. And by the ways...

Do u really want me to reveal my story?"

"Yes, yes, please do. I didn't mean to be rough. I'm sorry. It's just that I was so excited to see you. My grandmom looked an angel when you hugged her skin. My mom too glowed in your bright colors. I have always dreamt of you hugging me on my big day. So..."

" O.k. Then listen. Mine's a long story. I will cut it short for you.

When my yarns were ready to be woven, I heaved a sigh of relief. Readying the yarns had stretched me out. I was tired to my innards. It had been several days that the weavers stretched me to be ready for your grandma. I was being made specially for her and I found succour in that fact. So  I lay stretched out, pulled at, day in and day out, for a couple weeks.  You see, I had look beautiful. But the weavers at Bishnupur weren't done with me. They thought that I had to be softer. Can you believe it, I was boiled in a solution of soda & soap. Uhh. I don't even want to tell you how I felt then. And then!!!! I was put in acid to be dyed this rose color. So not fair!, Maya"

" Ooh,  I'm sorry about that too. But  I love your deep rose hue. Akash will swoon again , when he sees me draped by you. Just like on the first day he met me in our college canteen. 

You know why? Even on that day, I was wearing a deep rose colored T. And he cud not take his eyes off me, " drooled Maya.

" What about these very special gold threads that run through me, contrasted by  the shiny blacks? They too were made specially for your grandmom.  Oh. How I remember her. Those wavy, silky tresses. Always neatly done when not open and flying gently in the breeze. She was such a beautiful lady. We were like,  as they say, made for each other. On the day of her wedding, when everybody was besotted by her beauty, she shyly thanked me for making her look pretty. I was so happy for her. We talked to each other, radiant with joy. The rose in her cheeks and my rosiness, shyly merging with each other.

And your mom. I saw her from her birth. She was such a naughty child!"

"Really? I can't imagine mom naughty. She is always so correct. So disciplined. Patient. Caring...et al. ....huh.. I can't stop when it comes to mom," asked  Maya surprisedly. 

"Sweetheart, that's your mom now. Wish you had seen her as a kid. You are not a patch on her. But .....I kinda like your confidence, your clear thoughts. Your knowing your mind, with very few doubts. You are smart for the few years behind you."

" But before, I forget, I must tell you the rest of my story. You see this part of me, the pallu. Can you see, they tell you many stories. Stories from the grand epic Mahabharata. Stories that are still as relevant as then. Stories you must ponder on, at some point in your life. See here. It's when Krishna comes to speak to Karna, the great Angaraj that he was no sutaputra. He was the son of the mighty Surya & mother Kunti. And see just next to it. Kunti imploring Karna to desist from the battle and spare the lives of his brothers, the Pandavas. He was a great man, bravest of the braves. Yet he was bitter about being called a sutaputra. But imagine, he was floating in the river. Abandoned. And  his charioteer dad, Adhirath and foster mother Radha took him to their home and loved him dearly. He rose to be king of Anga . Only if he had looked at  the beneficence of Destiny and been more grateful, he would not have been on, what many believe, the wrong side of history.  What a learning for us from a great life. 

There's so much in these shimmering threads. Stories so eloquently woven, isnt it, Maya? 

I love this part of mine. I'm not just your wedding sari, the Swarnachari. I'm your friend, philosopher & guide. Whenever you need me, I will take you in my folds. Come, let me hug you, cocooned by my motherly love, another young girl will start her greatest journey. It's my greatest joy."

Maya hugged Swarnachari. This time gently. She could ' feel' her grandma's love."

P #Saris_A2Z

#Saris_A2Z this throwback thursday let's learn together about saris which begin with the letter 'P'. 

I love my paithani which I bought from Kasturi. I have used the paithani for this photoshoot. 

Now for gyan time~

Paithani is a sari made of silk and zari. It's a variety of sari, named after the Paithan town in Aurangabad Maharashtra state where they are woven by hand. 

It is a plain weave, with weft figuring designs according to the principles of tapestry.   Paithani evolved from a cotton base to a silk base. Silk was used in weft designs and in the borders, whereas cotton was used in the body of the fabric. Present day Paithani has no trace of cotton. Paithani is characterised by borders of an oblique square design, and a pallu. Plain as well as spotted designs are available. Among other varieties, single colored and kaleidoscope-colored designs are also popular. The kaleidoscopic effect is achieved by using one color for weaving lengthwise and another for weaving widthwise.

Pavani shares this lovely message with this beautiful click, in a 'P'aithani~

"Paithani, is an exclusive Maharastian Sari with Peacock Motifs and hence the Name for The Silk sari.

In The Pic, is my NARAYANEEYAM GURU, Revathy Ramesh.

She is a Volunteer Teacher for Narayaneeyam, Sunderakand, Paduka Sahastranamam ,& Vishnu Sahastranamam etc., depending upon interest of students . We Are Really Lucky to get a GURU like her, who gives selfless service happily since 8 years in Melville park, Simei.

Want to Post this Beautiful picture of our GURU in Paithani as a Token of Respect of our Class on DemureDrapes."

Another sari with letter 'p', 'p'ochampally.

Pochampally Sari  is made in Bhoodan Pochampally. They are popular for their traditional geometric patterns in Ikat style of dyeing. The intricate geometric design find their way into the hands of skilled weavers and make it to the market as beautiful saris. Pochampally Ikat uniqueness lies in the transfer of intricate design and colouring onto warp and weft threads first and then weave them together globally known as double ikat textiles. The fabric is cotton, silk and sico – a mix of exquisite silk and cotton. Increasingly, the colours themselves are from natural sources and their blends. 

#iluvsaris @DemureDrapes