Art/ Heritage

 The arts have been ruled by great artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, etc. but the ‘father figure’ they sought began his life as a shepherd boy. He used his brush to bring the Bible to life and made art more natural, more real. His name was Giotto. It is important to note that although Giotto was not a full-fledged Renaissance painter, he is still regarded as the ‘Father of the Renaissance’, because of his undeniable contribution to its origin.

One of Giotto’s greatest masterpieces is the Ognissanti Madonna painted for the Church of Ognissanti (All Saints) in Florence. The painting was commissioned by an obscure religious order called the Humiliati who were known to use art to stimulate devotion. The ten-feet painting was initially placed at the front of the Church as an altarpiece. Today it is on display in the Galleria Degli, Uffizi in Florence.

Now the theme of the canvas is similar to the previous painting by Cimabue. The Ognissanti Madonna represented Mary in Majesty, popularly called the Maestà. Adhering to the Italio-Byzantine traditions, Giotto presents the Blessed Mother against flat gleaming gold. Its shine and splendor solemnly mirror heaven. Retaining the hierarchy of the scale, the artist centralizes the Madonna and the Child and depicts them larger than the surrounding angels and saints. We are clearly in a space beyond time.

Intriguingly Giotto breaks tradition here. He attempts to accord human attributes to divine characters, thus bridging the gap between the temporal and the spiritual and revolutionizing western art forever. Let’s understand this newfound naturalism through the painting.

The Blessed Virgin is seen seated on a Gothic throne representing a Tabernacle. Scripturally the attribute acknowledges the Blessed Virgin as the new Ark of the new Covenant. However, unlike the paper-like, flat Gothic representation, Giotto depicts the Blessed Mother and Christ Child with volume. The drawing seems more sculptural. The Madonna is monumental, solid, and occupies space. Her knees are foreshortened while her drapery is rendered with modeling enhancing the transition of light and shadow as well as the illusion of space.

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Faith

critique YES criticise NO – Luke 6:39-42

Jesus has gathered a reconstituted Israel in the appointment the twelve. Today’s pericope forms part of Luke’s ‘sermon on the plain’ Chapter 6:17-49 is a reinforcement of the parabolic messages of verses 20-38 where one is exhorted to love one’s enemies and not be quick in judging others. This is the code by which the reconstituted Israel is to live its calling.

The text is an invitation to a personal examination of our lives. Jesus is exhorting one to remove the plank from one’s eye rather than be focused on the splinter in another’s. In no way are the words of Jesus to be misconstrued as a denial of failings in the life of others. Everyone has their failings but what is essential is to be able to identify my own blind spot first.  

When I become aware of my inadequacies, I become gentler with dealing with others and think the best of others rather than the worst. Such an attitude helps me to hold off criticism till I have cleaned my own slate. In short, Jesus is challenging the way we evaluate people and the yard sticks we use.

For the apostles and the disciples of Jesus, self-examination was to be an important part in their role as leaders. One can’t lead others if one is lost themselves and if they attempt to do so they will both fall in a pit. Verse 39 is not a text meant to be read in reference to false leaders in Luke community but rather Luke wants to reiterate that the disciples are blind as long as they do not open their eyes to the teachings of Jesus.

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Art/ Heritage

September 5, 1949

The green path led us to the Seminary porch supported by two columns. As was common, a square balcon rested atop the entrance. Pointing to the adjacent building, Fr Rector informed us that the original structure is single-storeyed while the new building had two storeys. The architecture was simple yet functional. It was marked by the low-pitched gabled roofs, large doors, long windows with canopies, carved grills, etc. The old outdoor staircases were made in both metal and wood.

As we gazed at the Seminary structure in silence, we were caught off-guard by the prolonged pealing of bells. Startled we jumped and turned to Fr Rector. He smiled and explained ‘Post the morning session, the seminarians gather together at the Chapel to examine their conscience. Next, they pray the Angelus after which they proceed to the refectory.’ Then gazing at his watch he exclaimed, ‘We must hurry’.

The main hall led us directly into a passageway around which various rooms were placed. The roof was held by wooden joists and rafters. Large Gothic windows with wooden shutters fringed the edges. The pilasters that segregated the rhythmic repetition of windows were decorated with picture frames and prayers.

As we walked down the sun-lit passageway, the aroma grew delectably richer. Fr Rector ushered us into a rectangular room with square windows and open grills. Six tables, neatly cloaked with linen dominated the space while foldable wooden chairs leaned against its sides. The walls were bare except for the well-anticipated painting of the Last Supper.

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Food

I liked this dish very much. The coconut oil, curry leaves and the fennel makes all the difference. When i first added the ground masalas the fennel stood out very strong and I wondered how this would all taste. Allow it all cook and then the magic happens. The spice of the chillies are off set by the the sweetness of the fennel. Please use coconut oil only ! 

Chicken – 1 kg
Ginger – 11/2 inch piece
Garlic – one handful or two full large pods
Onions – 3 large
Curry leaves – 4 sprigs
Tomatoes – 2 large
Green chillies – 3
Kashmiri chillies – 4
Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder- 1 tablespoon
Cumin powder – 1/2 tablespoons
Fennel seed powder – 1/2 tablespoons
Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground
Garam masala – 1 tablespoon
Coconut oil
Salt

Method
Clean and cut chicken. Slice the onions and tomatoes and roughly chop up the ginger.

In a pan heat coconut oil and add the ginger and garlic. Fry this for a minute and then add the green chillies, red chillies and onions. Now add the onions and fry them till they are are light brown. Add the tomatoes and continue frying. The entire process will take you about 10 -15 minutes.

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Food

Mention Cloves, and for me, it is the fragrance of hot steaming rice, exotic tea cakes from faraway lands, bubbling stews, curries, cool mocktails, and heady cocktails. My mind then wanders on to Chinese five-spice, Garam masala, and warm drinks like spicy mulled wine, apple cider, and good ole chai.

So what are the other culinary uses of cloves? 

The Sanskrit word for clove is Laung and Ayurveda recommends it to be used especially during winter in food to increase one’s digestive fire.

Used sparingly in most recipes, cloves are used in sweet and savoury dishes and drinks as a flavouring agent. This pungent, dark, numbing spice adds warmth to pickling liquids, sweet chutneys, and jams. It is the main ingredient to Worcestershire sauce and is also used to make ketchup.

Often added to spice blends for meat rubs, marinades, and barbecue sauces it is also used to spice cookies and gingerbread. It is that familiar hum to pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin, stuffings, and warm rice puddings. Cloves are also a big part of traditional food like Vietnamese poh and German red cabbage. They add depth to sweet warm winter desserts like stewed apples, rhubarb, and pears.

At home, we use clove oil diluted in a little water on our kitchen counters as a natural cleaner and to deter pests. We also burn the essential oil and use it as an air freshener. You will often find cloves are used for both their fragrance and anti-inflammatory properties in many products like toothpaste, mouthwash, oils, soaps, etc.

The story of cloves.

The English name for cloves is derived from the Latin word Clavus which means nail also known as clou by the French.

Originally cloves were mainly grown only on the then ‘Spice Islands’, (in Indonesia) also know as Moluccas. Many wars were fought over this pungent, and intensely flavoured spice. The Dutch did everything in their power to continue their monopoly over the clove market for money and profit to the extreme that they burnt down every clove tree that didn’t grow on Dutch-controlled spice islands.

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