The art of entertaining and Spotlight on block print

namaste - a welcome greeting & a symbol of hospitality!

The Taittirriya Upanishad (source) says "Athithi Devo Bhavah" which reads "May your guest be your God" laying down the guiding principle for Indian hospitality. The offering of the doctrinal "chai-pani"  (tea -water) as you enter an Indian home is not just a social more but an ingrained symbol of hospitality.  Images of my grandmother's considerate hospitality extended to her guests is lovingly etched in my memory. She never turned away a guest unfed and her piquant home cooked meals came to be a symbol of her legendary hospitality in our circles. 

Our dining room gets ready for visitors!

I have always sired a passion for hosting even since the time I was a novice cook (pity my first guests!) Entertaining implied inviting friends into our house and into our lives. Over the years, our home has hosted many gatherings - poker nights, festive potluck dinners, sunday brunches, casual chai huddles and celebratory regales. And so, for me,  entertaining has evolved into an esoteric interest. Being on this side of the pond, I have the opportunity to combine the Indian tradition of hospitality with the Western art of entertaining. From theme parties to cocktail hours to fine dining, the Western way of entertaining involves the creation of a viscerally stimulating experience  - one that I have come to admire and appreciate.

An assortment of colorful Indian delicacies served in basic white serveware.

"Dinner is not what you do in the evening before something else. Dinner is the evening" ~ Art Buchwald

Hosting a party means putting several elements together - the food, the  beverages, the table scape, the music, and the people. While it sounds simple enough, cohesively bringing the said elements together involves scrupulous planning, effort and preparedness. Entertaining is not only about cooking a meal and feeding your guests - it is about creating a palpable experience with a harmonious medley of ingredients - the aroma of food and flowers, the ambience created by music and lights, interesting conversations and lots of laughter. And hence the reference to art.

Desserts anyone?

  Throwing a good party takes time and if you are working outside the home it takes even more time! Given that my work days tend to be busy, I plan days in advance checking off one little thing at a time. Planning well and getting a head-start is a great way to trim costs. Prepping lets you do more at home and outsource less.  A to-do list is your best friend  and allows you to track all the little details.   The chaos and frenzy leading up to the event can leave you worn out and frazzled.  Therefore, I seek help when necessary. Cleaning  your home, picking your serveware and tableware, cooking the dishes, setting the table, planning the decor - the  tasks add up quickly! There are times when I wished  I had my mother or my aunts around and that's when I turn to my girlfriends (thank god for them!). 

A hand drawn elephant gracefully adorns the menu board

So, once you have the logistics down -it's time to party!

We recently hosted our American friends at home. The challenge of showcasing India through the food, desserts, decor and customs to an international audience was something I thoroughly relished. Collating the spices, the aromas and the textures for a  non-Indian palate was a formidable but fun culinary exercise. 

Fresh flowers in accent colors for an inviting feel

I used a base of solid white serveware to let the vivid colors of the food and decor pop.  The food was served buffet style but prearranged seating around the table allowed for a more relaxed "sit-down" dinner. For the tablescape,  I used white as the anchoring color with purple and fuchsia as accents. The dessert bar had a choice of two Indian desserts served in mini-flares and mini-bols for visual appeal. I also had a cake, just in case! Experience has taught me that contingency planning is key. I toyed with the idea of serving lassi but settled on a watermelon cooler punch keeping in mind the little guests of the day. The bright red beverage added  just the right splash of color.

Watermelon cooler

 I tied in all the different elements with one common denominator - the elephant.  That's right! Nothing represents India with more sanctity than the mighty elephant. From Indra's Airavata to Lord Ganesha to Maharaja's sawari, elephants have gained notoriety as an Indian cultural symbol not to mention they are also a personal favorite! Yes, I collect elephants! 

The bright red hand painted wooden elephant flanked by arabismo Morroccan glass serving as candle holders  (more on that in another post!)  looked resplendent as the buffet centerpiece . And lastly, my hand drawn elephants on the menu and the namaste sign board added a personal touch to the party .

Buffet centerpiece

My party was by no means perfect and it was never intended to be! But it was priceless, nonetheless - as a group of wonderful people gathered around my kitchen island to enjoy a home cooked meal and filled our home with warmth and laughter!

At Aalayam, we like to shine the spotlight on treasures that are unique to our homeland and today, I will be drawing your attention to my table linen in a beautiful block print fabric.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

 

There is nothing more simple and sophisticated than block print fabrics. An ancient textile imprinting technique, block printing is done by artisans in rural India and these handmade fabrics are perfect inspite of their imperfections!
The symmetry of the ornate motifs adds drama and detail and makes these fabrics a great home decor accessory and more recently a global design trend. In a provencal (?) and paisley pattern my place mats and napkins are cheery and compatible with the  spring weather. 

 Buy block print and keep this artistic textile making technique alive and infuse your home with color, texture and a chic sensibility! Check out Apartment therapy's feature on the Indian block print fabric.

That's it for today folks! 

Be merry, live well and savor your Srikhand!

Recipe for Srikhand from here!

Cheers!
Deepa

All images are from my home and copyrighted! Please ask before using.

p.s: Thanks to turmericnspice for helping me plan the menu!

Celebrating Colors!!!

On the anvil of Spring, the Indian Festival of Colors - Holi, punctuates the festival landscape around the world with jubilant merrymaking! 

Aalayam thought it was only appropriate to honor this tradition of "throwing" color on our loved ones! 

Live Colorfully.

Love,

Supriya and Deepa

Spring Picnic - Inspirations for an alfresco fete!

Bonjour dear readers! Aalayam is heading outdoors today.
Spring is officially here. Bye-bye gloomy grey days and hello sunshine!

Gorgeous blooms in full glory, photo credits: Uj

It's time to re-invigorate our senses and it does not take an expensive vacation to an exotic location to do so! Has it warmed up in your neck of the woods yet? How about a picnic then? A carefree celebration of spring!

Picnic at the park

There is no better way than an old-fashioned picnic to enjoy the  great outdoors !  Between taking pleasure in a simple outdoor meal to planning an elegant extravaganza - there is a host of picnic options.  So, what are you waiting for - pack your basket and your blanket and enjoy a sunny afternoon with your friends and family. Picnicking is a great way to encourage your kids to explore the outdoors especially after being  holed indoors for the entire winter. A picnic allows you to build their curiosity about nature's bountiful surprises.

A riot of colors- nature beckons, pic credits: Uj

Let the kids spot a butterfly perched on a flowering bush or explore the surface of a tree trunk or gather fallen pinecones  while you enjoy a relaxed conversation, a cold beverage and a ciabatta sandwich with the adults! I feel blessed to be able to enjoy four distinct seasons here in the Midwest and as the snow melts and new life begins to sprout, Spring marks it grand entry and with it, brings a renewed motivation to enjoy life to the fullest.

Toss a frisbee, blow some bubbles, lounge on a colorful blanket, play a card game and take some pictures ! Childhood is fleeting, pause and enjoy your children and make some lasting memories.

How about a packed picnic basket  as a b'day gift?

At Aalayam, we get really excited when it comes to food and decor. And a picnic is  the perfect opportunity to combine the two together. I am sharing these pictures from my own spring picnic last year.  It was also my husband's birthday and I choose sprightly hues to set the stage for our open air celebration. The paper lanterns were an easy addition and instantly changed the mood from picnic to party. I found the perfect  picnic basket from Sutherland (the red gingham fabric lining was too cute to ignore!). The slots for two bottles was practical and convenient. The basket allowed me to pack re-usable cutlery and plates thus making it an environmentally friendly alternative.

Red gingham and compartments for everything - makes a perfect basket!

With a few more picnic essentials- wine, cheese, freshly picked berries and a choice of easy picnic foods, I was all set to have some fun!

A little preparation goes a long way and remember to have everybody pitch in - after all, it's a family event! And because every celebration needs a yummy dessert and some sugar rush,  we packed a cake. The garden flowers and buzzing bees on the cake were perfect for our alfresco celebration!
Decadence.

Flowers and bees - perfect for spring!

So, plan, pack and picnic! Head over to your local park, a wildflower meadow, your rooftop or even your backyard - linger for a while and savor the fresh air!

An Indian paintbrush stands tall in a sea of bluebonnets - Ennis, TX

Of course, Spring is also a great time for other outdoor activities. If you like to camp, hike, bike, plant some flowers or throw some ball at the local park, now is the time!

And if outdoor celebration is your thing then make sure to check out Supriya's post. I will be back with yet another inspiring post. Until then, let's all make the best of this gorgeous spring weather!

Cheers!
Deepa

P.S: All images were taken by my husband and are copyrighted.

Spice Rack Remedies! A Case for Cardamom

Cardamom -  the exotic spice reigns supreme in Indian cuisine. Photo Credits: Sripriya Murthy Photography (Facebook)

I love having people over for dinner. When I was in business school, I would have my American friends over for Bollywood movie night and Indian dinners after every big assignment or exam! The joy of dressing up the house, planning the dinner, bringing out the pretty dishes, silverware and colorful tableware, cooking the special dishes for Friday or Saturday night, that we could have as leftovers all weekend! Priceless. And of course, the delight of entertaining and discussing the intellectual bent of Indian movies. Ever present!

My dining table stands dressed up with red tulips - for my dinner guests! In the foreground is an exotic tribal  dancer statue, which has got nothing to do with Cardamom!!

Now it's no different, whenever I have people over, whether it is for brunch, high-tea or dinner, I end up cooking Indian food. No brainer, you would think, considering my heritage and zeal for Indian cuisine, but its more than an unwavering passion for a confluence of spices from the sub-continent of my origin..It's a strong desire to communicate to my world, the magic of Indian spices, to share with my friends, the culinary and curative traits that these usual suspects possess. Cumin, Coriander, Fennel, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Turmeric, Saffron..the list goes on! A smorgasbord of flavors, textures and wanton aromas that form the foundation of Indian cooking. 

This was the impetus to the new series featured on Aalayam - 

Spice Rack Remedies! 
What our kitchen counter might hold, to cure what ails us.

Cardamom  skin and seeds can be used to flavor beverages, sweet and savory dishes. Photo Credits: Sripriya Murthy Photography (Facebook)

Since time immemorial, humans have used spices to better their food, and their bodies. Our grandmothers knew which spices would settle  an upset stomach, relieve inflammation and even something that got rid of intestinal worms! Now a spate of studies has finally proved that whether you've got achy muscles, a cold that just won't quit, or a case of the blues, reaching for a natural healer, may just be what the doctor ordered! 

This week's feature is about Cardamom. Native to India, Nepal and Bhutan, these three-sided spice pods with a thin, tough papery outer cover and tiny deep-brown to black seeds arranged in vertical rows have been a staple for sweet and savory dishes popular in Indian cuisine. Also known as "elaichi" or "ellaki", this dynamite pod, reigns supreme in all spice-aware households. 

Whether it is to lace a cup of steaming hot Masala Chai, or to add the flavored grounding to a kheer or pudding, Cardamom does not fail to deliver. 

Masala Chai (Tea Latte) prepared by boiling cardamom, ginger and tea leaves with milk. Perfect to soothe anything from an upset stomach to everyday frazzled nerves! The welcome drink for my dinner guests.

This exotic spice contains many plants derived chemical compounds that are known to possess anti-oxidant, disease preventing and health promoting properties. The spicy pods contain many essential volatile oils. The therapeutic properties of cardamom-oil have found application in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. 

My guests are then serenaded with pista kesar (pistachio and saffron) lassi (yogurt based drink) laced with cardamom. Alongside is a zesty mixture of trail mix!

Cardamom is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. 100 g pods contain 1119 mg of this electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Additionally, this spice is also an excellent source of iron and manganese. 100 g pods contain 13.97 mg or 175% of daily-required levels of iron. Iron is required for red blood cell formation and cellular metabolism. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme, superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger. 

Further, these aromatic pods are rich in many vital vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin-C, essential for optimum health. 

Cheesy Bakarwade Bites and Besani Khandvi accompany the chai. I decided to keep the dinner menu simple, serving traditional appetizers as main courses, in a move to cut prep time and calories! My guests are loving it!

Now if that is not a good enough case for cardamom, I wonder what is! :) Stay  tuned for more spicy adventures from my kitchen...straight to your palate!

I am now going back to my party, my friends are calling me because they want me to demystify the lyrics of the popular Bollywood song (Fevicol se) pertaining to a strong adhesive brand!

Love,
Supriya

Spotlight on Ikat and guest bedroom decor

So, did you enjoy reading Supriya's feature post on Bharatnatyam and touring Sridevi's home? I definitely did!  Today, we will turn our attention from the grace and grandeur of Bharatanatyam and an artist's passion to a global design trend with a spotlight feature on IKAT plus pictures from my home.

Ball stemmed lamp base paired with a mirrored nightstand adds glamor

I have been working on our guest bedroom and I am excited to share a few pictures with all of you.

If you a read a previous post on my design philosophy then you already know that my home is a potpourri of global design elements. The overall look for my home was not intentionally conceived and in fact it evolves as we go. I spend many weekend afternoons rearranging my favorite decor elements.  My home features our travel knick knacks, global fabrics, motifs I love and lots of color!  The end goal is to create a stylish space which reflects our persona.

I wanted to get our guest bed room ready for the summer months and have been chipping away slowly. Our current house has big windows framed in a beautiful oak letting in lots of sunshine. I knew I could take some risk with the choice of colors and I wanted to go bold. After scouting for some inspiration, I settled on a shade of tangerine. I know! There was something about the earthy appeal of orange which I figured would help me create an inviting space for my guests. After a little negotiating with the better half (design debates -I call them!) I settled on a searing hue called autumn enchantment. After all, I wanted to create a space that would wow my guests!

Design is in the details!

Who doesn't like a design challenge right? Mine was to work with a plain ole run-of- the- mill but perfectly functional sleigh bed that I have owned for years. I knew I didn't have wiggle room in my budget for a fancy new bed and so the old one stayed. I wasn't going to let that dampen my design dreams.  Thankfully, I had given away the old nightstands just prior to our big move from Texas last year and that allowed me to look for new furniture!

Mirrored furniture is all the rage and I had my heart set on them since they started trending. A pair of elegant  mirrored nightstands was a perfect little addition to the bedside. I think they are so gorgeous they even give my poor bed a facelift ! Mixing in new with the old was a great idea in this room, don't you think? And since I love mirrored furniture so much, I even bought the matching vanity. The reflective surfaces  work particularly well in a small space I think.

More mirrored elegance

The all white bedding was a cognizant effort to temper down the fiery incandescence of the wall color. The texture made up for what the bedding lacked in color and overall it lends a cordial warmth despite being achromatic.

Texture makes up for the lack of color!

With the accessories, my core philosophy was "less is more". I wanted to steer clear of a cluttered space and that meant I had to edit the final touches with a keen eye. Budget was yet another limiting factor and so I narrowed it to a few necessary pieces. I found a pair of architecturally impressive lamps at Pier 1. The shiny ball stemmed lamps add stunning detail to the visual palette. I must add that I was not too fond of the shades but I figured it was neutral enough plus the price was great!  

As much as I appreciate global decor, I find it very hard to deviate entirely  from Indian decor elements. I relate more to a space that in some way incorporates my ethnic roots. I brought in a little bit of India into this space via the Ikat art work, the Jali style mirror and the mosaic mirrored wall art.

I fell in love with the mirror the minute I laid my eyes on it. The intricacy of the lattice frame reminds me of the Jali windows in the Mughal buildings around India and it perfectly accents the orange wall.

Jali mirror- remniscent of Mughal lattice screens

Every room needs a splurge  and the mosaic mirrored wall art was just that. It was originally intended for another room in the house but it found its way to this room and I don't mind it at all!  The scroll motif screams India and I love it!

Lastly, the framed Ikat fabric above the bed is my favorite accessory in this room. Ikat is hot! Bold and eye-catching - this global motif is everywhere- dishes, pillows, wall paper, table mats, upholstery. In this room, I've used a small serving of this global design trend and yet it bestows big impact! The green in my framed Ikat fabric is a great accent color and pops against the white/orange backdrop.

Green ikat accents the orange/white pallete

Ikat  originates from Indonesian language and means "to tie"  and it refers to a fabric weaving style where the threads are tied together and dyed before weaving the fabric according to Wiki. Several countries across the globe have their own versions of the fabric. Indian versions include Pochampally from Andhra Pradesh and Patola from Gujarat. Ikat designs are the product of painstaking craftsmanship and have quickly topped the charts in home decor trends. I love incorporating art forms into home decor and we've already showcased terracotta, warli, and kalamkari in our spotlight series. The Ikat print shares the spotlight on Aalayam today for its versatility and vibrant energy!

While we are on the subject of bedrooms, I want to share this link to Roopa's bed room featured on Apartment Therapy. Previously, we had featured the rest of Roopa and Abhi's home on Aalayam. Remember their Zen Den and minimalist decor? Today we get  to see Roopa's zen bedroom which is selected as a finalist in the"My Bedroom retreat" contest! I would like to request Aalayam readers to please take a minute and cast a vote for her entry on Apartment therapy.

Thanks for joining us and I would love to hear what you have to say about my guest room. And do you love Ikat prints as much as I do?  Share your thoughts.
 

Cheers!
Deepa
p.s: All images are from my home and copyrighted. Please ask before using.

Artiste Feature - A Home Tour and a rendezvous!

Dear Readers,

If you are still reliving the traditional splendor of last week's post on Bharatanatyam, we are back, as promised with a sneak peek into Sridevi Jagannath's Home, and her artistic mind space.

The Nataraja "God of Dance" adorns the living space which is also used as a dance studio

"Great dancers aren't great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion." 

Aalayam was fortunate to be a guest at Sridevi’s family home in North Carolina. The classical contemporary design sensibilities of her colorful home, which she also uses as a workshop for teaching dance, prompted us to ask her not only an interview but also a Home Tour! And she said Yes!! 

In continuation of the two-post series – Aalayam brings to you Sridevi’s home tour and a rendezvous with Sridevi herself!

Classical Indian Tanjore Paintings, Rajasthani trinkets and ornate antique wooden frames punctuate this vibrant home

Here is Sridevi with some inspirational thoughts about Laasya, her students, her family and her passions:

Aalayam (A): What inspired you to start Laasya?

Sridevi (S): I have always been very passionate about dance and wanted to pursue dancing either as a performer or as a teacher. As strange as it may seem, Laasya was conceived in a Flea Market. Yes, that's right! On a sunny Saturday afternoon, as my husband Vijay and I were taking a stroll in a flea market in Raleigh, an Indian lady approached me and asked if I was a dancer. She wanted her daughter, a 7-year old at that time, to learn from me. Thus began a wonderful journey into the realm of dance

Sridevi combines a gorgeous embellished mirror with her student-class calendar in her dance studio

A: What are your and Laasya’s plans for the future?

S: Laasya was founded with the vision of engaging future generations in the rich classical dance form of Bharatanatyam. The school's primary objective is to foster creative thinking and personal growth in our youth. The school uses innovative techniques to explore new spaces of artistic expressions. The students are taught to observe “life” closely and learn to portray human emotions in the most honest way while being true to the character they play through story telling

Eye catching finds from all over the world create a kaleidoscopic landscape for Sridevi's artistic endeavors. 

A: Can you tell us how the rigors and joy of learning dance have inspired your students?

S: Laasya boasts of many graduates who started as 5-year olds and have continued to pursue their passion even at the university level. Many students are able to demonstrate their creative ideas either through workshops or innovative choreographies. Even though they come from very diverse backgrounds and unique cultures, dance is the single binding force that transcends many languages.

The traditional "Tabala",  Indian percussion instrument adds an interesting twist to Sridevi's living room, which combines comfort and rich Indian elegance.

A: What is your inspirational message to the Aalayam readers?

S: Aalayam, to me, is a kaleidoscope that always brightens my day. As an ardent follower, I really love the colorful pictures, ideas and information. The authors clearly have big dreams for their readers. For people like myself, Aalayam provides a way to infuse fresh air into some old furniture or cook something exotic without feeling overwhelmed. I incorporate some of the amazing ideas shared on this blog into my daily routine

Thank you Sridevi for letting us into your life and your home!

Love,
Supriya

Sridevi relaxes in her backyard deck with her favorite pastime between her classes, cuddling with her family pet and reading with a cuppa joe!