January color palette - Birth of a New Dawn

Traditionally, the time between December mid to January middle is the holiest month of the year for Indian Hindus, with the entire month being devoted only to God. No marriages, engagements take place and people don’t move into new houses or start a new business. So as the new month of Thai begins on January 14th, it signals the start of everything new – new relationships, new ideas and new ventures. It is the Birth of a New Dawn.
During this time the sun enters the house of Capricorn or Makara so the festival is also referred to as Makara sankranti. It also coincides with our thanksgiving – celebrated as Pongal, Sankranthi, Lohri or Bihu in different parts of India. Its a three day harvest festival during which we say Thanks to the Sun god, by lighting lamps, drawing kolams (designs using colored sand) and offering sweetend freshly cooked rice. Some communities have bull fights, dances, picnics and enjoy by flying kites.

Birth of a New Dawn – Color Palette

With its emphasis on being thankful for the bounty that we are blessed with and coming out of darkness into the path of light and living in harmony, Pongal is more of a community festival that is about giving back to society. So naturally, the colors inspired by this festival are rustic, natural, Indian and harmonious. People tend to associate bright colors with India, but the colors showcased here are our traditional colors…
–Some of my work in this color palette

so, folks, lets say thanks and celebrate this festival of Sun. I am going to be taking a much deserved, much needed yet totally unplanned very short trip these pongal holidays so be right back…
Have a great Pongal, Sankranthi, Lohri or Bihu 🙂