Enchanting! Five women on a performance stage at Pushkar Mela festival in India. Winning entry of Lonely Planet’s competition celebrating its 100 millionth guidebook. Photographer: Sreesailam Pasupula
Source: http://thetravelphotographer.blogspot.in/2010/09/lonely-planets-100-million-competition.html
madame scientist's not-so-mad musings 
Yes, this is marvelous
Catherine Maguire , your comment reminds me of the time I tried to purchase a black silk sari in India to wear at formal occasions here in the US. The sari seller was so puzzled and bewildered by my “unhappy” selection..I finally compromised by buying black with a peacock blue border 🙂
LOL Rajini Rao same culture-clash here too, the older generation are obsessed with fire-engine-red-and-gold everything for special occasions that when we go in something elegant and black, they tell us we look like we’re going to a funeral 😀
Rajini Rao According to Indian culture, for generations and even mostly today black color is considered to be evil and negativity. It also represents anger and darkness and is associated with the absence of energy, barrenness, and death. Therefore it would be very hard for the older generation who grew up w/ these beliefs to welcome the idea of wearing black clothing for any auspicious occasions.
I begged my Indian colleague to go shopping with me to get a sari, as they looked so free, loose, and comfortable, not to mention spectacularly lovely. To my dismay I found out that in practice they are fairly confining because of the folding method and half petticoat. No running to catch buses in those. So my friend added yet another sari to her rather impressive collection. It was a stunning gossamer marine blue with gold trim.
I have become ‘Mad men’ addict…i see alot of color back in those days. I wonder how and when the trend changed.
Sangita Mallick I believe the trend has more to do with today’s fashion. Because the fashion world is mostly led by Western world and western world (compare to Indian culture) is far more open minded when it comes to adapting different cultures and the black color is not looked down on.
P.S. The most important reason is that Black color makes you look thinner..lol
In India black makes you feel HOT! And makes a dusky complexion look dull…
That’s great Feisal Kamil !
Catherine Maguire Milan Limbachia Rajini Rao There is just one occasion in India when black must be worn. That is a festival called Makar Sankranti Which generally falls on 14th Jan. It signifies the harvest season, and also celebrates the spirit of winters.
Deeksha Tare thanks for that nugget of info.. To be honest, I rarely see black worn in India but my collection of navy or black saris is beautiful…. Embellished with gold and other jewel tones of course!
Not only are Rajini Rao ‘s posts thoroughly interesting, enjoyable, captivating and informative at the same time, they are a great place for discussions and the sharing of thought provoking ideas and feelings by people from all over the World!! +1 – those who agree with me!! 🙂
Keep them coming Rajini Rao we love you 🙂
I personally like the combination of black and gold a lot Rajini Rao
But I find wearing a saree a bit inconvenient. It’s okay if you just need to sit around and do nothing, but a bit difficult to take care of it while working. Still, it is considered a very decent and elegant dress 🙂
Might be it’s just a matter of habit isn’t it..?
Beautiful rajesthan colture
perfect
great nice one
Deeksha Tare , thank you! Wearing a sari does restrict movement a bit, especially for us modern women who take long strides both figuratively and literally 🙂 Although, Michelle Beissel , Indian women can get a ton of work done with a sari..my mother has never worn anything else and she is one of the most energetic women on the planet 🙂
Vijaya Chaturvedi , great to see you here on G+ especially in that pink sari. I’m thinking about wearing a black Mysore crepe this Thurs for a dinner event with Joseph Goldstein (of the Brown and Goldstein Nobel fame). If I do, I’ll get someone to take a pic ..maybe with Dr. Goldstein, and then write a blog about his lecture 🙂
gud…
Rajasthan culture
i see all your walls looks good re
great quote! I’ve been searching for something that exemplifies my disorganized beliefs..this comes very close
…I’ve shared w/ an endocrinologist friend, a very bright but somewhat tortured soul. He suffers from type one diabetes, but has raised two great kids, accomplished more in his life than most in a host of lifetimes.
By the way, thanks for re-admitting me to your circle…
Pure marvels!! I’ve always been fascinated by India, its colors that make sight to a blind, the inebriating smell of its spices and the delight of its dishes…. A country that awakens senses and therefore carries life.
nice photo
beautiful.like this