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The Flowers of India
First Online: April 29,2000
Last Updated: March 09,2008
Introduction
While the Western societies glamorized and commercialized the flowers, it is only the Indians who have blended their lives with flowers. Traditionally, the days began with men and women plucking flowers for worship and the wives complained if the man forgot to bring flowers from the marketplace. Marriages and festivities are special occasions to engage in floral design and decorations.
© K. L. Kamat
Lord Krishna is believed to have said "Bring me flowers or even water, with devotion, and I will be pleased" (see: Bhagawad-Gita -X). Rich or poor, the Hindu worshippers always offer flowers to their deity and the flowers are a popular item to sell on the streets.
In the Hindu thought, the blooming of a flower is often described the Magic of the Master (God's Maya) and glorified by ancient poets and artists. We bring you this eclectic mix of pictures from our archives to illustrate how the Indians have used flowers in their lifestyle.
Table of Contents
- "…Why can't we get a daily birth, and a daily death
- Consenting Adults
- Dasara Greetings in Floral Design
- Floral decorations indicating a festive occasion
- The Flower Merchant
- The Flower Shop
- Flowers for the Lady
- The Flowers of a Bangalore Street
- A Folk Dancer's Mask Decorated with Fresh Flowers
- The Gulmohar Flower
- Lord Ganesh in a Floral Rangoli
- Making Art with Flowers
- Man Carries Pot Decorated With Flowers for the Karaga Festival
- Newly Weds Offering Prayers with Flowers
- A Rangoli Made with Flowers
- Saying it with Flowers
- A Traditional Dancer with Flower Decorations
- Waiting for the arrow of Kama
- Welcome Sign to a Wedding Hall
- Woman selling flower garlands
- Woman Stops to Smell Flowers
See Also:
- The Flowers of Mysore -- watercolor paintings of Mukta Venkatesh
- Organic Living -- The author illustrates how elements of Indian culture use natural products for living, décor, and rituals.
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