Indian Jewellery(Bridal jewellery)

Indians especially south indian women are famous for wearing jewels from ancient time. The five epics in tamil literature itself proves this.Silapathikaram linked with anklets,Manimekalai to the bells in ottiyanam,kundalakesi to big earings, Valaiyapathi refers to bangles.

From head to toe we indians wear jewellery,some are very imporatant.

Nethichuti:

This is kept in the forehead.In the North they call it maang tikka.  A must for bridal make up.Nowadays close relatives of the bride and groom also wear this.It is kept as a single piece or with suryan and chandran on either side of the centre piece.

Nose stud:

Nosestud a small piece of jewellery connected to a short thin piece of metal that passes through the side of the nose.Nose rings are also worn.

Kai Vangi:

This is for the upper arm  that is above the elbow.

Bangles:

We wear in our hands.A function known as valaikappu is meant to bless a pregnant women,celebrate her fertility and ensure a safe child birth.It is believed that the bangles sound induces the childs senses.so people who attend the function wears bangles for  the pregnant woman.

Bracelete:

Worn around the wrist.Worn by both men and women.

Rings:

Rings  are worn in our fingers.These are given for different occassions.It may be for a pre-engagement, engagement or on the Big day  that is wedding.Wedding rings are a symbol of everlasting love between the two people.

Earings:

This includes anything from studs,hangings or jumkis according to the attire.For bridal dressing we wear with mattal that is a chain from ear to hair.

Necklaces:

Anything which we wear round the neck.chokers close to neck,then chains at different length.Traditional chain includes kasumalai,mallimottu, step chain, chain with lockets and many more.

Ottiyanam:

This is the belly chain.

Anklets:

BraceletWorn around ankle.This is  worn for centuries by girls and women in India.It is made of silver, gold and beads.Some use as a fashion jewellery.

Toe ring:

Also known as minchi,metti or bee-chee ya in hindi.It is worn in the second toe in both legs.Mostly worn on the day of wedding.It is a symbol of the married state by a hindu women.

Picture courtesy:Google images.

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Cooking Tips

1.If water content is more in dough for chappathi,vada or bonda keep the dough in the fridge for 20 30 minutes and then prepare it.

2.To prevent fungus growth in pickle first pour 2tbs warm oil in the container and spread it thoroughly and then store pickles in it.

3.For quick snack dip bread slices in dosa batter and put it in dosa tawa ,serve with chutney or sauce.

4.For a change keep a cabbage leaf around onion slice for bajji,it will taste differently.

5.For a variation in lime rice grind ginger and green chillies and then add to rice.

DIY:Stone work art

Take any picture.Now apply glue and stick decorative stones

Expressing good wishes or greetings

In our daily life we use different expressions.It can be also a salutation when one person meets another person or it can be a message which includes mobile friendly words too.

A day can be divided into three parts.First expression is “Good Morning”.It is a polite greeting you say to someone in the early hours of the day.We  also use this when we see a person for the first time in the morning.This wish itself can make a person cheerful.

“Good afternoon” is used between noon and 5p.m.

“Good night” is used at the end of the day or leave taking or even for going to bed.This can  be a desire  to sleep well .The words hey,hi is used instead of hello.Especially hey for a person whom you have already met.

When we use greetings  and expressions it will make us more polite and courteous.These mean a lot for  many people.Expressions like How are you? ,How was the day? Feel Better and many more will give us a sense of satisfaction.Especially when we receive from persons close to our heart who are far away, will make us feel that they are close.And this feeling itself is a wonderful experience.At times of distress it makes us feel cozy and naturally we feel better .

Greetings and expressions can change our moods and attitude.Sometimes it has a sentimental value like when we use  the expression” Best of luck”.

Next time when we we use greetings or expressions think that it will be of the support to the person who receives the message. Don’t hesitate or forget to greet or wish people.

 

 

House cleaning

A home should be clean and tidy to be called”Home Sweet Home”. The health of the inmates depends on the care they take to keep the house spotlessly and sparkling bright.Cleanliness of the house is very very important.

The task of keeping the house and surroundings clean should be executed systematically. Cleaning is the removal of all dust,dirt and foreign matter. Daily,Weekly,Monthly and Periodical cleaning should be carried out in every home so that it will be easy to maintain the house.

1. Daily Cleaning:. Sweeping the floor, dusting furniture,brushing door mats cleaning of kitchen slabs are daily tasks.It is a good practise to remove ones chappals or shoes before entering the house as it is done in most Indian homes.Windows should be opened to let sunshine
2. Weekly Cleaning: Bedsheets can be changed.Moping of floors should be done..Bathrooms and toilets to be cleaned and disinfectants should be sprayed
3. Periodical cleaning: Walls should be swept carefully,cobwebs dusted and cleaned.Wall hangings and pictures comes under this.Mirrors too have to be cleaned.If possible can put beds and pillows in the sun.Newspapers,magazines can be disposed off. When we clean the shelves in all rooms we can get rid of unwanted things.This includes unused clothes Curtains can be washed.While cleaning cuboards can clean one shelf per day so that we will not get bored and tired.

Like this when cleaning is done in a proper way and planning it will be an easy task.

And now a suggestion children will be at home so involve them in cleaning too. Can ask them to clean their things, let them arrange their books , toys and their things.Slowly they will develop the habit of cleaning and maintain their shelf and things.

Tips

1. Bread toasters can be cleaned by holding it upside down and then blowing it with hair drier.

2.While buying bottles for fridge get plain ones,it will be easy for cleaning.

3.If you need to store glass plates one above the other keep tissue paper in between.

4.When we buy disposable tumblers brooms etc. dont throw away the empty cover,you can use it keep umbrellas when not in use.

5.If glass cleaning liquid is  not available ,you can use the gram flour paste to wipe glass surfaces.

DIY -Wealth from waste

We will have old gramaphone records at home unused.This is how I changed it into a decoration piece a wall hanging.

Excess Salt in Food

• If salt is excess in kootu or curry, grind 2 or 3 of the following ingredients,onion tomato,cashew,coconut fry and grind it then add to curry
• If dosa batter,can fry little rawa and add to batter.
• To remove excess salt in vegetable porial like brinjal,carrot beetroot,ladiesfinger can add fried onions
• If in rice items can add ghee.
• If in sambar put raw potato in it..

 

Snacks in 70’s

In those days after school before going home we go to the vendor near the gate.He sells like Thean Mittai,Kamar Kattu,Javvu Mittai,Sooda Mittai and other items like Borums[ilanthapalazham],Kodukapuli,Gooseberries soaked in saltwater.These were our childhood snacks. In addition to it,there was an ice-factory opposite to our school. We get Kuchi Ice from there.Even today when we think of it it is mouthwatering.Some were nutrious too,children of today really miss such goodies.Hope in future these kind of items have a comeback for the next generation.

DIY : CROSS-STITCH WORK

Ganapathy done using woolen and golden threads.