Salute to All the Mothers

Mother, Mama, Mom, Matru(Sanskrit), Maa/Maata(Hindi), Amma(Telugu), Maman(French), Mutter(Germany) ..in any language the love, the sacrifice, kindness, patience and many such qualities associated with the image of mother is common. The moment one says "Mother" our hearts are filled with joy, happiness and love.

For a mother-giving birth to a child is an ordeal but she still loves it. Carrying the child in the womb, nurturing it carefully with love, bringing it out into the world and then again taking care of the child  to mould it into a worthy human being is a very difficult task. It is said that every time a mother delivers a child, it is like rebirth for her. Despite the advancement in medical sciences, giving birth is still not easy.

Mothers are always there for us whether 4 or 40 years-we need them always. When we are happy, we want to share with her. When we are sad or frustrated, we cry on her shoulder. Our triumphs or losses, our laughs and tears we share with her. She is there to pat on our backs, motivate when we feel low. She is our first friend, philosopher and guide-in total the God Himself(Herself?). Many say that God created mother as a representative of Himself. I feel it is true. No matter how much we praise our mothers it is far less. So is it any wonder Mothers are loved and worshipped?

How It started:

Mother Goddess was worshipped since ancient times dating back to around 6000BC specially in the Asian region. This is quiet evident from the Mohenjodaro where terracota forms of Mother Goddess were found. Actually Mother Goddess-(wife of Pashupathinath) known as Parvathi, Amba or Durga generally referred to as Maa or Maata are still worshipped in India even today. She is known as "Ammala ganna Amma"-that is the Great Mother who gave birth to all the mothers.

The Greeks imported this culture as Cybele-the mother of Greek Gods. Cybelle was identified with Rhea and worshipped or honoured. Ancient Romans celebrated Matronalia in honour of Juno for fertility of married women. Husbands gave gifts and money to their wives on this occasion and prayed for them. However,Romans adopted the Greek festival of worshipping Mother Goddess to absorb the Greeks into their culture but introduced their own customs.

Later on the festival of Mothering Sunday- celebrated on 4th Sunday of Lent by Christians in

the honour of Mother Virgin Mary came into existence.Children or youngster who were working in the houses of the rich were given a day off on that date so they could visit their families or return to their "Mother" church. They  would pick wild flowers along the way to place them in the church or to give them to their mothers as gifts.  This became popular as a tradition of giving gifts to mothers. However these celebrations are not the basis for the celebrations in our times.

The present Mother's Day celebrations has some antecedents. The women's peace groups of USA had a major role in this. The meetings of mothers of the sons who fought and died on opposite sides of the American Civil War may be the first attempt. Several such local meetings took place in 1870s and 1880s. 


In 1870, Julia Ward Home of US  made a  Mothers Day Proclamation as she believed that women had a responsibility to shape the societies at the political level too. This moment died away after a decade or so.

In 1868 Ann Maria Jarvis founded a Committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" for reuniting the families which were divided due to the American Civil War.  She wanted to make it an annual memorial for mothers. But she died in 1905. Her daughter Anna Jarvis continued this. She campaigned for a national  holiday on Mother's day in US and later on internationally.

On May 8th 1914 a law was passed by the US Congress designating second Sunday of May as mother's Day and the then President Woodrow Wilson issued the proclamation on 9th May.

We Indians were always taught Matru Devo Bhava meaning Mother is God. She comes first, then father, teacher and then guest. That is the order of preference. In fact our scriptures say that it is the mother who shows or introduces the child its father. Till then the child is unaware or its father. So we are taught to respect our parents from an early age.

We had joint families and teaching of morals, ethics and values became easy. But now our younger generations are weaning away from our traditions and values. it is really very sad to see many children neglecting their parents in their old ages. I feel it is not enough to just remember your mother on mothers day.It should be followed through out. In fact if we follow our ancient scriptures, traditions and customs, we can take good care of our parents. What our parents need in their old age is our love, care. they feel cherished if we can spend some time with them frequently. They don't need the cards or presents we give them. They need us.

So on Mothers Day we should all pledge that we will take care of our parents. They need this after all they have done for us. In that way I am lucky to have my mom with me so that I can take proper care of her through out....

Wishing All A Very Happy Mother's Day and My Salute to my Mother, my Grand Mothers as well as all the Mothers and Grand Mothers...for their love care, sacrifices in moulding us.

Mom's Surgery

I have been busy with my Mom's eye surgery. One of her eye has been operated and she is OK. How far her vision improves is yet to be seen. But the Doctor felt that it was successful and her vision will be much better than what she had though may not be total. We are keeping our fingers crossed and praying for her speedy recovery.

So I was busy and tensed up with her surgery. I had no time to post. Since her surgery we had to literally stay around the clock watching her lest she touched her bandaged eye. Now she is recovering. What I love about my mom is she never wants to be dependant on others. Even when she is ill, she tries her level best to take care of herself. Since she cannot watch TV or read and her room has to be kept in dark/very diffused light, I sit by her side, talking to her, reading from newspapers or her favourite books. She has to be careful for a month or so. 

Any way we are all happy that she is recovering fast. I hope she recovers quickly and we can get her second eye also operated as early as possible.

Please include her in your prayers for speedy recovery.

With my mom on bed, I don't feel like doing anything at all. But now that she is recovering, I think I can take up my crafts when I am by her side. I may not be able to post much but will try.

Friday-Free Patterns

Sorry folks I am again late in posting my free pattern. I am not keeping good health and it is quite hot here. So it is really difficult with the frequent and prolonged power cuts to attempt any thing at all. For the past three days, I have been trying to upload my pattern and because of power cuts, I had to try again and again and I finally gave up.

Today power just returned so hopefully I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can at least post today. Any way here it is:

It is dancing women once again. Folk/tribal motifs. 

Singing and dancing during celebrations is quite a common feature with various tribes and rural folk. These people work very hard and are very simple at heart. They lead simple lives too away from all the hustle and bustle. Their day starts early with the sun rise and ends with the sun set. During the day they work hard practising their traditional occupations of agriculture, cattle rearing, basket weaving, pot making or something like that. 

They sell their produce in the local markets on the market days. With what little they earn they buy those things which they cannot produce themselves. 

At the end of day, they eat what little they have and enjoy a drink or two. In olden days the only entertainment they had was singing and dancing in groups. Now perhaps some may have TV sets. Still singing and dancing are a must in celebrations-whether it is a marriage or a birth or festivals.

So their art-usually on the walls of their mud huts reflect their daily chores or  dancing etc. These motifs are from Bengal, painted on a sari I bought. Very simple but reflecting the folk art and culture.

Hope you like them....