CASTLES OF SAND-TRY TO BUILD NOT TO BREAK!

16th,December,2009
Wednesday
8p.m
Dear Friends,
Good Evening!
The evening is cool n the breeze is refreshing!the sea is becoming more beautiful by twilight.I'm happy watching the waves from my balcony n I feel like sailing alone[at times,you are your best friend] in one of the ships anchored at the harbour.sailing across the seas to unknown lands of the world.sailing on a ship is very exciting.
living by the sea shore I want to write today on the sand castles.weekends,the beaches are full with children n you must have watched them busy making the castles,many other structures on the sand!they enjoy the freedom,become creative,express themselves n teamspirit is built.they use leaves n shells to decorate their creations.the happiness n satisfaction derived will be destroyed with just one kick or a tide!and the tears flow !again,the structures are rebuilt!it's fun n enjoyment forgetting the stress n tensions of the real life!we become one with nature.we are sowing the seeds of our dreams!
in Kerala,before the child completes three years,there is a ritual called 'writing ceremony'.this is done by priests,poojaris,the learned people in Temples,churches or institutions.they write with a gold ring on the tongue of the child.then the child will be made to write on sand.on Vijayadashami Day this is done.Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of Learning!
writing on sand is a good practice n it gives good exercise to the fingers.in many schools, sand tray is used by the children.we are going back to nature.sand art is very popular in the west.
The Goa Sand Art Festival will start from 18th,December n will go on for three days at the Candolim Beach.Afestival that promises to showcase talent and at the same time highlight the sombre theme of global coming.the theme is really aptn the choice of the beach could not have been a better example to showcase the harsh realities of global warming.Although the sea might serve to be a very pleasant background one cannot overlook the fact that it is North Goa's famous beach,the Candolim beach that is wasting away at a rapid pace.huge chunks of land each year are claimed by the sea.and somehow,the receding shor line just does not find a fitting mention in matters that call for urgent attention.
The festival will be a platform for artists.it is decided to have the festival on the Candolim beach keeping in mind the suitability of the soil as well as the need to draw in the crowd.this is India's first ever sand art festival and the authorities hope to make it an annual feature on the Goan calendar.working on the natural easel of art will be eleven budding artists from Goa,Mumbai n Pune.the Festival,which is non-competitive will also have provisions for amateurs and audiences to try out their hands at sculpturing creations out of sand.what's more is that they would be guided by professional artists as they mould the grains of sand in the specially designated practice pits.
let's encourage children to dream!our guidance will help children learn to make choices that are right for them.breathing the fresh n cool air,aayeeye,hum reth mein khelen![let's play in the sand];once a while let's go back to the childhood.I had interviewed a few children on why do they like to play on sand.freedom,love,fresh air,cool breeze,exposure for their talents n to simply roll down on the sand!:)
with small hands,we build castles,
using sand and water, giving shape to our dreams.
sprinkle with the dreams to come true,
Adding colours with our prayers,
when the calm n cool sea breeze,
Brush your cheeks,
realise,guys,nature is singing for you!:)
It's Anu signing off..................
Promise me friends,at your next visit to the seashore,
will see you making those sand castles once again,
And I bet,atleast once in your life,
You will be convinced,Anu loves you a lot!
Let's love soil,sun,sand n rain,
Let's together build a cool,calm n wonderful green earth to live in!
keeping your sand castles safe from tides n storm,[in my prayers]
it's time for me to pack my baggage,
leaving for Trichur for X'mas holidays,
To be with Amma n Nanda n my people,
Hey,you know,I need a break very badly.
wishing all of you A Merry n Peaceful X'mas,
Sasneham,
Anu