What is the colour of HOPE?

Hope traditionally is signified by calm colours like white, green and blue...it is usually depicted by amiable symbolism...it's panorama - never outrageous. But, in the last few days HOPE to me has been RED...and I will tell you today why it has been so!

This is the time of the year when the life of every Bengali is taken over by a dream...A dream that in itself is the celebration of life, love, laughter, belief and hope! It is the time of the year when we forget all our woes and celeberate the Durga Puja!

This festivity commemorates Goddess Durga's visit to earth, Her parent's home. On the last day She leaves to be re-united with her husband, Lord Shiva in their heavenly abode. This last day of festivity evokes the feeling of separation that every parent feels when their children leave home.

On this day married women bid a special farewell to the Goddess by smearing vermilion on her forehead and offering sweets and wishing her a safe journey back to her home. They close their eyes in prayer and ask for her divine blessings. They pray for a long and happy married life....And they pray for peace and prosperity for their families...

The RED colour of the Sindur (vermilion), the heavy aroma of the incense, the mirth of the constant drumming, the revelry of the masses, the secret desires of the heart and the apprehension of separation, spells magic on this day....And to me this magic signifies the dominion of hope...The hope that is hidden in every heart...The hope to have a a long and happy married life, the hope for peace and prosperity, the hope to see Goddess Durga again next year...And so Hope is RED!




Sindur by Dita



The Highlights...

Lord Ganesha on wood-chips and Painted Prayers by Dita

How would you react when somebody walked up to your Art Stall at a Fiesta and commented "You have got really 'basic' artwork here...where did you get these shipped from?" Mister...they have all been painted by me...fruits of my labour...my babies!!! Well, I did not say any of the above...I just smiled at his ignorance and politely informed him that they were original art-work created by me and perhaps of a style that was not to his liking....Such was the depth of my first ever experience on the other side of the table at a Fiesta!

However it will be genuinely unfair to highlight the only negative observation (or should I say constructive criticism)! It was a very busy day at the Point Cook Annual Fiesta and I had my fair share of gratification and erudition.

Visitors of all ages browsed my exhibit all through the day and I met with some very nice people who seemed to be really interested in my art-work. It specially felt good when some of the patrons had a survey my work in details, chatted with me and then later brought along their friend, partner or a family member to review some particular piece that they liked best! I also loved to see the eyes of eager kids light up when I spoke to them about my art-work...I wonder whether I would have been able to ask such intriguing questions at their age!

Hand-made CHAI coasters by Dita also part of the paraphernalia

What a pleasure it was to see such interest in colours and art-work in the members of my community specially when I was competing with free rides, face paitings, sausage sizzles and free lemonade on a beautiful sunny day beating the temperamental Melbourne weather!

If you were to ask whether I would do it again...my answer would be "Differently but Definitely"!!!