Ratan Parimoo #Serigraphs
Ballon Seller
Perhaps from the time parks were made for children, the balloon man exists. After all both compliment each other so well. At Badamwadi too, children flocked in looking at the balloons.It was sort of mandate for parents to buy balloons for their children at Badamwadi. Almost as if it was the entry pass for children before they entered the garden. I still remember… the balloon man who used to be ready with balloons in all shapes and sizes for us. Over the years he not only called us by our names but he also knew the taste and preferences the children had. No one quite knew his name, all we knew was that we fondly called him chachaji!
- Ratan Parimoo
Kahwa
It was never a good morning in Badamwadi, if you missed the morning Kahwa! The tea culture has always been a part of the Kashmiri household.
- Ratan Parimoo
Lunch Time
The morning
soon settles down into afternoon and its time for the traditional family lunch.
The mothers got busy serving delicious kashmiri
rotis which were made from wheat flour combined with aromatic spices. Like all
other Kashmiri preparations, this roti too had a delicate blend of spices,
which were roasted and coarsely ground to enhance the individual flavor of each
and every spice used. These rotis used to be so delectable that they could be
eaten on their own but I always preferred it with a sweet and sour tomato
pickle.
- Ratan Parimoo
Hukka in the Evening
Soon the chilly evening sets in Badamwadi just as the setting sun disappears in the thick branches of the almond trees. The smoke of the Hookah blends in with the aromas of Kahwa and relaxes both the young and the old. The hookah and the Kahwa rounds never quiet ended but it was always a perfect end to a day of indulgence with family and friends. We didn’t have photographs to preserve this memory, but all we did was to look forward to spending another splendid day at Badamwadi the next week to keep refreshing our memories before we forget!
- Ratan Parimoo
Hide and Seek
As almond branches laden with purple white flowers spread their faint fragrance, we children ran around it grabbing both the flower and the fruit. We never felt the need of any additional props like balls and bats to have a good time at the Badamwadi. The almond trees themselves offered a variety of games which we could play – like playing hide and seek behind the trunks of the trees or jumping from one tree to another - acting like langurs!
- Ratan Parimoo
Kahwa II
When you
come across sweet fragrances of flowers, you know you are in a garden. But
Badamwadi was different. It adorned the aroma of Kahwa. Kahwa is said to have been
consumed in the Kashmir valley from time immemorial. Every day early in
the morning, just before the rush hour begins at Badamwadi, these Kashmiri
women used to prepare the traditional tea by boiling green tea leaves
with saffron – the queen of spices, cinnamon bark
and cardamom pods & occasionally Kashmiri roses. Traditionally, they prepared it in a brass
kettle known as a samovar. A samovar consists of a "fire-container"
running as a central cavity, in which live coals are placed keeping the tea
perpetually hot. Around the fire-container there is a space for water to boil
and the tea leaves and other ingredients are mixed with the water for a perfect
blend that will make your day.
- Ratan Parimoo
Game of Cards
For the men in those days, their extended family itself was their social network. Cousins and neighbors within the same neighborhood bonded as brothers. On their week off, as they enjoy the warmth of the setting sun, they sat down in circles below the Almond trees to play a few hands in the game of Rummy. Off course, I never remember any money or gambling being involved in any of the games as they were meant for relaxation.
- Ratan Parimoo
Kahva III
While the men indulged in the puffs of the hookah, the women indulged in their sweet talks about the town. It was that time of the week, when women were given the freedom to socialize with other women and giggle to their heart’s content! Within the group the elderly women took up the role of the advisory council who shared their vast experience in dealing with household problems, cooking, embroidery, family values, raising children, religion, poetry and art; whereas the younger women would provide the required entertainment by singing spontaneously.
- Ratan Parimoo
Vegetable Market
Awarded
"Best Karigari of the
Year 2012", Special Jury Award, National Awards, 2012
"Fine Art Printer of the Year",
Printweek India Awards, 2012
"Quality Brands"
Award, 2012-2014
“Gold in Best Poster", FESPA, 2013
Harni Mela
Awarded
"Silver in Screen printing", National
Awards, 2012
“Best Poster of the Year” National Awards, 2012
"Quality Brands"
Award, 2012-2014
Boats in Srinagar I
Awarded
"Best Karigari of the
Year 2012", Special Jury Award, National Awards, 2012
"Fine Art Printer of the Year",
Printweek India Awards, 2012
“Bronze in Best Fine Art Reproductions",
FESPA, 2013
