[ TURBANS & TUNES ] Udaipur, India

For the past two days I’ve feeling a bit sorry for myself having been bed ridden by dreaded Indian diseases (aka food/water poisoning of sorts) in my hotel in Jaipur. A couple of packets of antibiotics later and I’m up and about again and this time I’m posting from the lovely* lake city of Udaipur. I thought everyone might like to hear a little bit of traditional Rajasthani culture, so I’m bringing you a bit of 4D India with this rural man in a turban playing a musical instrument. Sorry, it’s actually called a Sarangi: ‘bowed musical instrument about two feet high, with three or four main strings and up to thirty-five sympathetic strings’ (thanks Apple Dictionary). Check out his awesome multi-coloured turban (or safa) and his jewellery-selling wife’s heavily embellished Rajasthani costume.

Rajasthani Music Man from Wandering Threads on Vimeo.

*(When I use this word in India it must be taken, somewhat, with a pinch of salt as ‘lovely’ is often somewhat tinged with a corner-of-the-eye combo of rubbish pile topped with cow excrement. That’s unless you are viewing from the £200 + a night widow of a luxury suite or air conditioned, chauffeur driven car. Not to put you off or anything. 

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[ I SAW IN MYSORE ] Day 2: Tales of Indian Folklore

Set in Mysore University’s sprawling semi-rural campus, the Jayalakshmi Vila's Complex Museum houses a huge collection of traditional Indian folklore items. From leather shadow puppets, rural ceremonial costumes, giant effigies and ritualistic instruments, the museum is a must see if, like me, the sight of a 10 headed wooden puppet depicting the demon Ravana floats your culturally weighted boat. Beware of the autocratic staff who insist on the deposit of your most prized (and most-likely-to-to-be-nicked) Canon possessions. Just tell them you’re a foreigner and that suspicious looking device is nothing more than an innocuous iPod and sneak some photos when no one’s looking (once again) – English blogger in India stylie.