OghaIndia

Valentines day has truly become a global celebration over the past few years- afterall love transcends all borders, castes, gender and religion. Love is thought to be a universal language and so it is only fair that its annual celebration has become a global event. While many are only aware of the 14 Feb rituals there are some lesser known facts surrounding the festival that might surprise you.

 In Japan, women and girls give chocolates to men or boys they want to date. Valentines day in Japan has been used to break the stereotypical shy Japanese woman and is an opportunity for women to openly express their love.

 Valentines week- off late the entire week leading to the Valentines day has been marked as a special day - Rose day, hug day, propose day, promise day, kiss day and even a teddy day. While the additional days might seem over the top to some they have surely brought in additional business.

 The Chinese are notorious for imitating stuff but they have their own version of Valentines- Qixi Festival. It is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh Lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The festival focuses on love and separation and is based on a locally renowned story. 

In United States only approximately 190 million cards were sold on the Valentines day. In America alone Valentines day is a 20 Billion dollar market. In India too the day is expected to bring business of 15 Billion dollars in 2016. Who said you can’t buy love.

India is known across the world as a vibrant country with a plethora of cultures and traditions and “Surajkund International Crafts mela” is a perfect visual demonstration of India’s cultural diversity. The mela is an annual event that attracts thousands of customers every year from all around the country. Each year one state is chosen as the theme state and this year newly formed Telangana has been give the honour. The event is celebrated in the first two weeks of February and in the recent years has gone international with over 20 countries participating in the 2016 edition.

The festival brings artists and performers from all around the world and showcases India’s finest apparel products, handicrafts and food items. It is a carnival of everything handcrafted and symbolises the richness of handcrafted products.

The mela has kept alive the Indian heritage of handloom products by presenting a wide range of domestically produced products. The mela , with its indigenous items comes as a breath of fresh air and reminds Indians of their rich heritage which is slowly fading away to the mechanical nature of clothing industry,

OghaIndia believes in and supports the spirit of the Surajkund mela and strives to deliver quality and authentic products to its users. The core principle of OghaIndia has been to distance itself from the robotic prevalence in the clothing industry and bring into light, via E-commerce, the appeal of handcrafted and ethnic products. OghaIndia sells apparel items, ittars, home decor material and haathi-chaap stationery. We are expanding continuously in other domains. The huge success of Surajkund restores our faith in the brand we have built and the qualities we imbibe. We are taking the mission that surajkund has started to the domain of E-commerce and we believe that just like surajkund our faith will win over people on the online medium as well.

At the onset of the New Year wanted to renew our commitment & share our vision....

"Having worked in the fashion industry and corporate sector for over 15 years I realised that there was a growing restlessness in the mechanical nature of the fashion industry - in terms of numbers and interpretation. With passion and creativity as touchstones, I wanted to develop a sustainable business model that would depart from the robotic nature of the fashion and delve into the artistic side of clothes.

With these thoughts at the back of my mind ,the idea of Oghaindia germinated . The intent being going back to the grassroots , innovating & curating exclusive handcrafted fashion which is affordable and stylish. With limited capital and possible reach of the Internet we started with OghaIndia.com ( vis a vis the offline model).

Our journeys have taken us to the interiors of the country and created everlasting experiences and friendships. Along the way we have learnt and imparted our knowledge with our artist partners to attempt a workable socio- economic model .

We at OghaIndia.com have followed an incremental business model starting with handcrafted sarees  to jewellery ,apparel and much more. The path so far has been difficult and fruitful with good days and bad. However as we enter the new year our resolve is reinforced and we are sure of achieving what we set out for...."

2015 a year filled with innovations and discoveries. And I came across one such innovative idea of having products made from the poo, yes you read it right from the poo of one of the largest mammal found on earth – we are talking about the big elephant here. Welcome to this adventurous journey of making ecologically safe paper products from the rear end of an elephant. Products range from small to large notebooks, files, pads, slip pads, multi colour spiral albums. To add on to the list, there is more funky stuff which includes room freshners, wall clocks, photo frames, book marks, board games You can also take a pick from a handcrafted cigarette box or a matchstick looking like box when opened are tiny slip pads.

The tedious process of converting dung into beautiful products is indeed a time taking and a multi level process. However all steps follow the environment friendly methodologies. The dung is treated at various stages to make it bacteria free and the color is achieved with natural dyes or 100% azo free dyes.

OghaIndia in collaboration with Haathi Chaap is reaching out to corporate and other institutes to use this eco friendly paper products available in white and a variety of other colors. These products will also be available online at www.oghaindia.com  from7th January’16.  And yes the irony remains that it does not smell like poo in any form.

Lives are lived, stories are formed, they are documented… as Scriptures, Images – moving or still. Generations pass them on making them immortal in time… in people’s memories… even after generations pass away as slots in time, stories live on…

While working on our new collection for Chanderi printed Suits, one such journey took us to Ram Babu Dhanopia , a Master craftsman in Bagru. He is the owner of one of the largest block printing and dyeing units in the village of Bagru known as a hub for Indigo , vegetable and wooden block printing and dyeing.

Bagru Printing : The design is first engraved on the wooden block, which is dipped in natural dyes – made from vegetables, turmeric, ‘gur’, gum paste, iron and other natural ingredients. And this design is further replicated onto the fabric. The bagru printing is done on a glazed fabric, which is first dyed in yellow base using natural ingredients like turmeric.

Dabu Printing : Another technique of block printing is called “Dabu” – it gets its name from the word ‘dabanna’ meaning to press. This is a typical type of technique which uses mud instead of paints to print. The process begins with resizing the fabric by dipping it in water for 3-4 days. After that the fabric is bleached to get whiteness and softness. Meanwhile a mud paste is made using mud, gum, ‘chuna’, and saw dust. The mud mixture is not hand-made but foot made – it is mixed for long hours using foot to give a smooth consistency. The wooden blocks are dipped in this mud and printed on the white fabric, further wood dust is sprinkled on it. The fabric is then dyed in indigo (a 6-7 feet deep hole in the ground is created for dyeing). The outcome is white areas at places where mud was printed while the other area takes the indigo color. 

A Journey into the small townships of Chhattisgarh takes you to many weaver colonies. Most families here are engaged in the production of what is called, Kosa silk. This traditional community is known by the name of Dewangans, primarily belonging to Bilaspur, Raigarh, Korba and Champa towns of Chhattisgarh. A fine, soft and sturdy yarn is pulled out on the spinning wheel and handwoven into sarees and fabrics. This fabric is both rich and easy to maintain

Indulge in some beautiful offerings from the land of kosa specially curated by OghaIndia.com in partnership with Bebaak. We are committed to bringing alive traditional weaves in wearable, everyday fashion. The must have kosa silk kurtas and shirts are well stitched and come in beautiful colours inspired by nature. 

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He who ruled scent, ruled the hearts of men,” -

 Patrick Süskind (1985)

 The history of ittar goes back to  the Mughal Dynasty in India.Jasmine ittar was the favorite perfume of the Nizams of the Hyderabad state. Traditionally in the Eastern world it was a customary practice of nobility to offer ittar to their guests at the time of their departure. The ittars are traditionally given in ornate tiny crystal cut bottles called as itardans.  Among Sufi worshipers the use of Ittars during meditation circles and dances is quite common. 

Legend has it that Prophet Mohammed was himself a connoisseur of this natural perfume oil — its believed musk was his personal favorite! .Ittar (Hindi/Urdu) also known as Attar (Arabic: عطر‎) derived from the Persian word 'Atr' meaning fragrance is a natural perfume oil derived from botanical sources. Ittars can be worn directly on the body and a small drop is enough to keep the fragrance on for a day. They should be chosen on the basis of the temperature of a place and the temperament of the user, “mausam aur mizaaz”.While the emerald green Khus(Vetivert) and Gill (the smell of wet earth) cool the body in the summer, Henna (a mixture of herbs and spices) is a favorite in the winter.

The art of making ittar is fading away, with the present generation of ittar sellers unsure if their progeny will keep the art alive. OghaIndia is launching on 4th December a selected, specially curated range of ittars in classy cutwork glass bottles stored in wooden boxes. Let the fragrances of Gulab, Mogra ,Mukhahhat, Oudh Gold, Oudh Amiri and Saffron fill your senses.

Go Rule the hearts... 

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Diwali is a festival which celebrates the homecoming of the King of Ayodhya. However, it is not Ram who is worshiped on this day. It is Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi who are. Ever wondered why this is so? To understand the significance we revisit the ancient texts and this is what we find:

The Worship of Goddess Lakshmi

Once Goddess Lakshmi was roaming on earth on Kartik Amavasya – the no moon day in the Kartik month.  In the dense darkness Goddess Lakshmi lost her way and decided to stay among the humans that night.

The Goddess came across a dilapidated hut of an old woman lit only by a small Diya.  The old woman invited Goddess Lakshmi with open arms into her home and said that it was not safe for a maiden to roam around on a dark night.

Unaware of the true identity of the maiden, the old lady offered whatever little food she had to the Goddess and also made bed for her.

The next day morning, when the old woman woke up she found that the maiden had gone and her dilapidated hut had transformed into a beautiful palace filled with gold and diamonds

From that day people started lighting lamp on the night of Kartik Amavasya with the belief that  Goddess Lakshmi will visit their home on this day.

The Worship of Lord Ganesh

Once Goddess Lakhmi was disheartened when her husband lord Vishnu took a snipe at her. She went to Goddess Parvati and requested her to allow one of her sons Kartikeya or Ganesh to be adopted by her.

Goddess Parvati knew her sons very well, so she gave Lord Ganesh to Goddess Lakhmi as her adopted son.Goddess Lakshmi  said to Goddess Parvati-

“From today onwards I’m giving all my luxury, prosperity and accomplishments to my son Ganesh.  Riddhi and Siddhi, Lord Brahma’s daughters are like my daughters and both they will be married soon to Lord Ganesh for which I give my word.In all the three lokas, I will be miles away from any person who does not worship Lord Ganesh. Whenever I am worshiped, Lord Ganesh too must be  worshiped.“

Thus, Lord Ganesh is worshiped with Goddess Lakshmi.

Diwali is undoubtedly the biggest festival of the country. It may symbolize a homecoming but it is a festival which brings joy and cultivates festivity in our hearts. Celebrated on the new-moon (Amavasya) night, lights and fireworks have a significant role to play in this festival. It is impossible to think of Diwali without the multicoloured and impressive fireworks, sprinkling various sorts of bright colored lights in the night sky. The twinkles from the phooljhadi and theanar light up our faces with glee and excitement. It’s fun to watch young children enraptured by the sparkles of the fireworks, the twinkle in their eyes reflecting the merriment of the festival. Whether we burst crackers or not, it’s hard to imagine Diwali without the fireworks in the sky and the intermittent  noise of “hydrogen bombs”, magic pops and  rockets.

This Diwali for our crackers shopping we visit the oldest cracker market in Delhi, Bazar Paiwalan, a street in Chandni Chowk near the Jama Masjid. There are 8-10 permanent shops here which sell crackers all year round. At this time of the year, this street comes alive. Five days before Diwali it is filled with hawkers and flocked with buyers. The shops remain open all night.  The bazaar is lined with thella and redi wallahs selling not just pattakhas but also yummy street food and diwali decorations.

After gorging on these mouth watering eateries we start our crackers shopping.  We go to the biggest store, Majestic Fireworks, which boasts of being the oldest crackers seller in the bazaar.

While buying we have a small conversations with the shopkeeper who informs us about the changing trends in the demand for different patakhas. 

Over the last five to seven years the demand for bigger, display patakhas (sky shots which come in 5 stars and 7 starts variations et al) has increased while the demand for noisy smaller bombs like magic pops has reduced. He takes us around his shop and shows us the different pattakhas that are available these days. There are several kinds of anars and phooljharis but the maximum variety is in the sky shot category.He also shows us the big fireworks, Aatishbaazi as these are popularly known, used in the Ramlila Maidan on Dussehra

These big elaborate firecrackers have become very popular and are used in festivities and weddings. We enquire about the place where these are manufactured. He tells us about Sivakasi a town in Tamil Nadu where all the crackers are manufactured. The town has a 20 billion (US$320 million) industry which produces 70% of the country’s crackers

It is a delight shopping here. If you are yet to buy crackers we recommend you visit Bazar Paiwalan. It is an enthralling experience.

Winter Wanderings...

Winter is the perfect season to explore the open green spaces in Delhi. Luckily the capital boasts of a few spaces where we can enjoy the warm sunny sky and the cool wintry breeze. These tranquil and serene parks are a perfect break from the busy fast paced life of the city. So take a day off from work and explore these quiet surroundings in the city.

Mehrauli Archeological park

Located near the Qutub minar complex, the mehrauli arecheological park is a complex of ruined tombs and summer palaces, constructed in the late Mughal period around the Hausi Shamsi tank (off Mehrauli–Gurgaon road).

These tombs are scattered around the green forest park.  The most impressive structure is the Jamali Khamali mosque, attached to the tomb of the Sufi poet Jamali.  The monuments like Rajon ki Baoli , the time-ravaged tombs of Balban and Quli Khan take us back in time.

Tughlaqabad Fort

The massive Tughlaqabad Fort is another place to picnic and stroll around on a winter afternoon. The quiet surroundings, the vast open green fields, the crumbling ruins of the fort are alluring and transport you to a different time and place away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The massive Tughlaqabad Fort (on the Mehrauli- Badarpur Road) is another place to picnic and stroll around on a winter afternoon. The quiet surroundings, the vast open green fields, the crumbling ruins of the fort are alluring and transport you to a different time and place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Nehru Park

Nehru Park of Delhi is situated on the main Panchsheel Road, near Chanakyapuri Diplomatic Enclave offers picturesque beauty and serene surroundings. Spread over an area of almost 80 acres, the park boasts of a dazzling collection of blossoming flowers. Then, there are little mounds and rocks inscribed with the sayings of India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, after whom the park is named.

Qadsia Bagh

Qudsia Bagh in Civil Lines is a shadow of its Mughal splendor. Laid out in 1748 by Qudsia Begum (or Udham Bai), wife of emperor Muhammad Shah Rangila, it still draws a lot of people looking for tranquil moments or a breath of fresh air. Its 20 acres are home to many species of birds, including a few migratory ones. A morning walk in the bagh is a perfect beginning to the day.

Garden of Five Senses

This sprawling 20-acre oasis  in Chhatarpur is a comparatively recent addition to Delhi, having been built in 2003, but it offers a wonderful escape from the capital’s raucous streets. Stroll along spiral walkways and past waterfalls, rocks, sculptures and murals as the sound of wind chimes fills the air. If you prefer the evening chill of the winters you can enjoy a quiet dinner at one of the restaurants within the garden.

Indraprastha Millenium Park

Another milestone in Landmark Greens is Indraprastha Park created over an area of 34 hectares near Sarai Kale Khan stretching 2.7 k.m. along the Ring Road. Created over a sanitary landfill site it is one of the most living, breathing and verdant landscapes of the city today.

The Millennium Park was built by DDA as a response to the needs of the Urban populace for access to green areas in breathtaking natural surroundings. Some of Delhi’s historic monuments form the backdrop to the park which add to the glory.

Dussehra Celebrations –Truth Triumphs

Celebrations and festive occasions are the most wonderful times where one can witness cultural confluence in India. Dussehra and Navratri is one such festival celebrated with great zeal and excitement. Every state has its own way of commemorating the victory of Durga over Mahishasura. It signifies and implies that the evil cannot sustain for long and the good or the truth will surface sooner or later. Let’s take a quick tour on Dussehra and Navratri celebrations in different regions.

In North India, usually people celebrate Dussehra by burning the effigy of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath. Ramlila – enactment of the life on Lord Ram is done with great enthusiasm. The theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which all sections of people participate enthusiastically. Also a chariot carrying actors Ram, Sita and Lakshman passes through the crowd and the person enacting Ram aims an arrow to burn the effigies one by one.  

In West Bengal, Goddess Durga is worshipped as the form of Shakthi. The celebration goes on for nine days which is why it’s called as Navratri and the tenth day is the day celebrated as Vijayadashami. Legend has it that on this day she became victorious over the demon king Mahishasura. Potters here make large exquisite clay models of Durga. The idols are decorated and worshipped in huge pandals. People start new ventures during the Navratri as they believe it’s the most auspicious time to do so.

In Gujarat, during the Navratri, the celebrations begin after offering prayers to Ambe Maa. Their traditional dance Garba and Dandia is performed by the men wearing Kedias and the women with Lehenga Cholis. It’s a delight to watch them dance all through the night.The excitement quotient is such that it beats the exhaustion level and people dance all through the night.

Dussehra in Mysore, Karnataka is celebrated with great grandeur. People come to view Dussehra from all over the world. The entire city is lit up with lights and diyas for one whole month.The city literally glows in the night. The Goddess Chamundeshwari is taken on a procession from the Mysore Palace and then through the city on the golden ambari mounted on an elephant till the Banni Mantapa.