Jingle-Jangle o’ the Green-Bangles

~ Madame Zenista

For the two themes in WordPress’ ‘The Daily Post Photo Challenges‘ 

Security, Green. 

In the (Asian) Indian culture, green bangles are adorned by the bride at the sacred marriage ceremony- a blessing symbolizing prosperity and fertility. And she continues to wear green her entire married life. The gentle striking of glass produces a sound that is delightful, soft and feminine.

My maiden home would be filled with the cheerful sound from my mother’s or grandmother’s bangles. It seems to always be there in the background, the predictability gave us kids a strange sense of security, and you could tell those toiling hands were working somewhere in or around the house.

This jingle-jangle of the green bangles were sounds of love and care and motherly  warmth.

Green glass bangles with pearl - gold side bangles. Photography.
Green glass bangles with a pair of pearl-gold ones, set on traditional green Indian fabric.
OF SANDALWOOD ‘n fresh  mehendi hands
Mixed scents, like feelings; lonesome she stands
Dressed in silk, her gold jewelry dangles
Amidst the jingle-jangle o’ the green-bangles

SHE MAKES the house into a home
Cooking n’ cleaning n’ loving she roams
Making peace after any wrangles
Along the jingle-jangle o’ her green-bangles

HOLDING the little chin, combing hair
On fevered forehead, her hands of care
In a soft mulmul* embrace, their tears she lulls
All in the jingle-jangle o’ her green-bangles!

*Mulmul (pronounced muh-l muh-l as in mulberry) is a fine, soft cotton muslin from India. There are beautiful mulmul sarees for women in India.

For The Daily Post Photo Challenges theme for the week “It IS Easy Being Green!” and (Michelle said if the post is related to Ireland, the better it is. So, while taking this picture, I thought of Ireland. So related it in such an unrelated way 😬 )

Works for another theme for this week “Security” as well!

30 thoughts on “Jingle-Jangle o’ the Green-Bangles”

  3. Pingback: Easy Being Green: Yellow | What's (in) the picture?
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    1. Thank you, Jui!
      Actually, because you can appreciate the cultural sentiment, I’ll tell you that I got emotional and a bit teary eyed as I was writing the last part. And many more times after it thinking about it.

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      Reply

  9. A beautiful post. This is all new to me and I thank you for the information. I try to learn at least one new thing everyday and you have given me several things to think about.
    Ω

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Pingback: Security: Glass | What's (in) the picture?

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