The Spelling of Rasabali In Odia

 Rasabali is a cottage cheese-based dessert of Odisha.

"Kendrapara Rasabali" has the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

When I first started working for this GI, I looked for the spelling of this word- Rasabali- not only in English, but in Odia also.

As "Rasavali" too is derived from Sanskrit, and there the letter "v" is used instead of "b".

Rasavali was born in the temple of Baldev Ji in Kendrapara. It is a delicious dessert. It is a famous food all over Odisha. It has a long history of being born in Odisha and it is an Oriya food. It can make the world famous as an Oriya food by getting the GI tag#saveodiafood pic.twitter.com/a1g20SLuNP

— 💖Odia food & sweets💖 (@_odia_food_) March 2, 2022

When I first consulted with scholars and language experts, those with a strong Sanskrit background advocated the usage of "Rasavali" in the name.

However, the usage of "b" i.e. Rasabali is more common in Odia.

Many of the sellers are already using - "Rasabali" as the name.

As we must be true to our local spelling and name, being "vocal for local", we settled for "Rasabali."

The name of "Kendrapara" was also discussed and went ahead with "Kendrapara" as the district name is - Kendrapara (and not Kendrapada).

These blog posts have more about our Rasabali GI outreach-

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/07/kendrapada-rasabali.html

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2023/09/does-rasabali-have-hole-like-doughnut.html

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2023/10/kendrapara-rasabali-gi-tag-of-odisha.html

After my facilitation for the "Kendrapara Rasabali" GI and despite personally informing the stakeholders multiple times about the need for "correct representation", it was disappointing to find that the GI application had been submitted and the logo had been applied that too with the wrong information and spellings of product, applicants, place etc -

There Were No Footsteps When I Walked

I do not know how or why I embarked on that trip,

They laughed at me saying everything I did was a blip!

With the herd mentality, they indulged in copy-paste-

Anything original & great, they'd own up after a taste!

Image credit; Moostapper @ Pixabay

While they followed footsteps & copied all bit by bit,

Hiding sources, appropriating & falsely claiming credit!

You Look Great Even Without AI

Fairness has its stark advantages here.

Dark skin is not what most can bear.

"Fair is beautiful"- for many in our land.

Being fair is "lovely" & like a magic wand.

Source: Pexels

A darker shade of skin is sought to be lightened.

Beauty standards are accentuated & heightened.

"Fair" is much in demand in this digital age too!

Tech filters, apps & AI change the looks of you!

The Snow Trip

“No, you cannot cancel our trip to the Himalayas yet again!

I’ve never seen snow in my life.”

Riya was upset.

It was the second time her husband had expressed his inability to go on the trip.

Riya had spent hours to book the trip.

Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson

He had promised he would make it this time.

Prints Being Sold As Pattachitra Art Paintings

In our previous post, we shared how the eyes of the deities are now being misrepresented- in printed photographs/images that are used even in temples and at homes in Puja rooms, and also on diaries, calendars etc.

Misrepresentation of Eyes of Deities- Shree Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Shree Jagannatha-

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2024/02/misrepresentation-of-eyes-of-deities.html

Even in the new art- paintings created by hand- artists are shaping the eyes incorrectly & not presenting the original eyes.

What is the shape of the eyes of Shree Balabhadra & Devi Subhadra in the "Pattachitra Art Painting" image given below?

This image depicts the eyes better (without squint)-

What is the name of the art that you can see in the above images?

Misrepresentation of Eyes of Deities- Shree Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra And Shree Jagannatha

India has many Goddesses and Gods.

Every deity has their own distinct image.

For example, Maa Saraswati is shown holding Her Veena and wearing white clothes.

Similarly, Shree Shiva is shown with the moon and holding His weapons.

Shree Ganesha has been represented in many ways- holding sweets, books, weapons etc.

The Shree Jagannatha Temple of Puri, Odisha, is one of the "Char Dham"i.e. the four holy places to visit for Hindus.

Lakhs of devotees visit the temple.

The sibling deities also come out of the temple and undertake their annual journey - the Ratha Jatra (Ratha Yatra).

The High Spirited Girl

She thought herself to be lucky-

Always experimenting with art!

Their engines made her appear murky-

Like a fox & coyote, without heart.

 

She worked hard to sow the seeds. 

Her confidence gave them the blues.

They removed her plants as weeds!

Her name joined their list of taboos.

 

Source: Pexels 

The Sunset Treat

 A group of seniors had scheduled their meeting on the newest bridge in the city.

Their idea was to meet, chat, and watch the sunset together.

Priya was on the bridge staring at the water.

 

Photo Prompt - Peter Abbey

The laughter and banter of the seniors filled her thoughts.

Seeing the group, she understood that they might have been school/college friends.

Woman With Flowered Hat

The party was on in full swing.

Many guests had been invited.

Why did he have the empty feeling?

He was quiet though much was unsaid.

 

There was decoration, food and fun.

Free drinks flowed; the spirits were high!

Many indulged in animated discussion!

All fake smiles & superficiality made him sigh.

 

Woman With Flowered Hat- Jean Dupas

Craft Reflects The Craft

Sita was excited when the National Sculpture Competition was announced.

For the past year, she had been devotedly working on an idol of God though some remarked- "You being a female, how and why are you in this man’s trade?”

People mocked and questioned her- “How can you even dream of your art getting selected or expect winning?"

Maa Durga Idol- Pexels - Anil Sharma