Happy Vaisakhi!

All images are copyright protected. ©  SHARONJEET GALSINH 2011

Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi is an ancient harvest festival celebrated in Punjab, northern Indian. The people of Punjab celebrate over the joy of the harvest season, so it is a day of feasting. 

Vaisakhi day commemorates the first Sikh baptism ceremony and the creation of the Khalsa by 10th Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. 

All images are copyright protected. ©  SHARONJEET GALSINH  2011

On this day Sikhs remember the foundation of the Khalsa and celebrate by visiting the Gurudwara, with colourful street processions through towns, melas and music. 

All images are copyright protected. © SHARONJEET GALSINH

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Holi - The Indian Festival of Colour

Coloured powder paint ready to throw. © Copyright photo: 
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/holi_the_festival_of_colors.html 

It's Holi - The Indian festival of colour which marks the coming of Spring. It's tradition to light bonfires and roast grains, popcorn, coconut and chickpeas. Holi is a colourful festival, it's a time for fun, dancing and singing. People celebrate by going into the streets and throwing coloured powder and paints at each other. 

People celebrating in the streets of north India. © Copyright photo:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/holi_the_festival_of_colors.html

Hola Mahalla
Sikhs also celebrate where in the Punjab it's known as "Hola Mahalla" or the festival of Nihangs. Guru Gobind Singh started the festival for Sikhs to practice their military exercise and practice battles. Sikhs celebrate through martial arts led by Gurdwara nishan sahibs.

Nihangs - Sikh warriors celebrate Hola Mohalla with coloured powders, Punjab, India. 
© Copyright photo:  http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/holi_the_festival_of_colors.html 

Cleaning a pan ready for Hola Mohalla - the festival of Nihangs in Punjab, north India. 
© Copyright photo: 
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/holi_the_festival_of_colors.html   

History of Holi
It's believed that the festival's origin comes from Krishna who was a mischievous boy that threw coloured water over the milkmaids. The fun and jokes developed into Holi, the tradition of lighting bonfires symbolises good overcoming evil and is about the king's son prince Prahlad. His auntie Holika was immune from fire and tricked her nephew Prahlad into sitting on her lap in a bonfire to kill him. But as she was using her powers for evil, her plan failed, instead the flames killed Holika and Prahlab was unharmed. Today in some parts of India effigies of Holika are burned and the bonfires ashes are thought to bring good luck. 

The tradition of lighting bonfires in India symbolises good over evil. © Copyright photo: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/holi_the_festival_of_colors.html

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Mardi Gras 2012

It's almost the carnival season of Mardi Gras which is French for Fat Tuesday and Shrove Tuesday in English. It's a fun filled carnival which includes wearing colourful masks and costumes, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc.

Look out for my Mardi Gras worksheet on a fun mask making project for children - Coming soon! 

Image taken from http://limelightnashville.com/index.cfm

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Hello, welcome & Merry Christmas!

I'm Sharon, I create colourful & vibrant paintings, photos & cute mini greeting cards. In my blogs you can: 

• Get art tips & ideas so you can learn & try new techniques yourself. 
• Receive ideas on art projects for children to enjoy to keep them inspired & allow their creativity to grow. 
• Get a glimpse into my studio & see what I'm working on. 
• See what inspires me from other artists/photographers, cultural places I like to visit & how I get my ideas. 
• See what materials & techniques I'm using. 
• Read what challenges I've encountered. 

Monsoon Arts & Photography

You can also like my Facebook page Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography to see my latest designs as well as dates/times/venues of my next shows, exhibitions, fairs, festivals & table top events, along with photos. 

I'll soon be creating an online shop to sell my paintings, photos & greeting cards so look out for that.

Meanwhile I wish everyone a festive & fun filled Merry Christmas.