It's been almost 3 weeks since we got back from Kutch, but the mind just refuses to let go of the memories of the mystical land.
Mystical it is.
Something one feels through the pores of the skin, the goosebumps that surface while listening to Kabir's rendition by the local sufi singers under the cold starry night, the smoky smell that gets trapped in the coarse fabric of my shawl from the bonfire. The same smell lingers on the surface of the milky chai I had at the bhunga of a Meghwal family.
No amount of eloquent phrases or photographs using wide angle lenses can convey the happiness of strolling in the streets of Bhuj watching the Rabari women glide through the day wearing the veil of night, the hospitality that is so evident even in the most humble households, a glass of water or tea is offered with a warm smile, if you wonder at the source of water and refuse, they cycle up to the local provision store to buy you a bottle of bisleri. Yes, I am talking about the Banni hospitality.
The intense sweetness of thick hot condensed milk khova that melts in your mouth at a roadside shop at Bhirandiyara. The wind burnt face of that little girl with a star motif tattoo on her left cheek. The crunch of hard jaggery that unleashes the pungent flavour of dry ginger in your mouth at a local sweetshop.
Mystical it is.
That it spills on to my blogs and Facebook pages uncontrollably in the form of jpegs sprinkled with magical gold dust.
Please pardon me if I continue to roll in this magical dust for a little while longer.
(Chronologically is what my head said but my heart thinks otherwise;-) Will post about the Mutwa embroidery soon)
A colonial daybed with vibrant cushions by Jivi, Sadr, Iris & Soleh. Glass paintings of Lord Hanuman & Ganesha on a Kashmiri screen. 
The terrace dining table has black stone platter with patterned jasmine inlay work, sculpture by M J Enas & block print poppy table cloth by 
Painting by 
The dining table all set with black marble inlay side plates, granite & bidri work tea-light holders and old brass oil lamps from Kerala on the consoles & Italian lamp overhead provide lovely light.
Seen here are Chinese Inlay and lacquer work of birds & bedside chest with 
I am a sucker for traditional oil lamps:-)) Here is a collection of brass lamps from Tamil Nadu, lithograph of a monument on the wall, a Lord Shiva mask from Varanasi & gold plated vegetables are served on a bidri work platter from his "Design Laboratory"
Here's wishing you a very happy & prosperous 
A glimpse of some of the 
I want to thank all of you who have stopped by to encourage, appreciate and suggest. Thanks for being there and supporting me during the last few days.
Sorry for the late post, have just about found some quiet time to sit down and assimilate all the festivity around me:-) Today I am going to share the festivities in our home....Welcome!
A simple 
Traditional brass peacock lamps at the entrance.
Tealight candles in 'Chai' glasses add light and festivity to our dining table which is dressed in it's colourful best;-) Also seen here are some traditional Indian Sweets.
Flowers & candles...what more can you ask for:-)
