The Hindoos as They Are: A Description of the Manners, Customs and the Inner Life of Hindoo Society in BengalSivachandra Vasu
Religion
The Hindoos as They Are: A Description of the Manners, Customs and the Inner Life of Hindoo Society in Bengal
Sivachandra Vasu
Hindus; India -- Social life and customs; Women -- India
It will not be out of place to say a few words here about the
embellishments of the images. As a refined taste is being cultivated, a
growing desire is manifested to decorate the idols with splendid tinsel
and gewgaws, which are admirably calculated to heighten the magnificence
of the scene in popular estimation. Apart from the feast of colors
presented to public view, the idols are adorned with tinsel ornaments,
which, to an untutored mind, are in the highest degree captivating. Some
families that are placed in affluent circumstances, literally rack their
brains to discover new and more gaudy embellishments which, when
compared with those of their neighbours, might carry off the bubble
reputation. It is, perhaps, not generally known that a certain class of
men--chiefly drawn from the lower strata of society--subsist on this
trade; they prepare a magnificent stock of tinsel wares for a twelve
month, and supply the entire Hindoo community, from Calcutta to the
remotest provinces and villages. Indeed so great is the rage for novelty
and so strong the influence of vanity, that not content with costly home
made ornaments, some of the Baboos send their orders to England for new
patterns, designs and devices, that they may be able to make an
impression on the popular mind; and as English taste is incomparably
superior to native taste, both in the excellence and finish of
workmanship as well as in neatness and elegance, the images that shine
in new fashioned English embellishments[60] are sure to challenge the
admiration of the populace. On the day of _Nirunjun_, or _Vhasan_ as it
is vulgarly called, countless myriads of people throng the principal
streets of Calcutta, to catch a glimpse of the celebrated _pritimas_, or
images, and carry the information home to their absent friends in the
villages.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account