During November a few more lights will shine, candles will glow and intricate patterns of coloured sand will grace the homes of many. Not only will the Kingdom witness the annual Diwali festival but the second instalment of the ‘Irresistible India’ series will continue to showcase the many wonders of India.
The longstanding relationship between Bahrain and India never ceases to offer up intriguing stories as Mala Kumar, the wife of the Indian ambassador, discovered at a recent Indian concert. Taken aback by how much Shaikha Huda Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, the owner of the Lavender shop, enjoyed the classical music from South India, Mala was determined to speak further with her new friend.
While it was clear from their initial conversation that Shaikha Huda had secured an in-depth knowledge of India, as they chatted at Lavender a raft of treasures was revealed.
Shaikha Huda acquired her fondness for India through extensive reading of its culture before her first trip to the country 15 years ago. She was amazed not only by the hustle and bustle of Mumbai but also the work ethics of its people.
“I then started reading more about Indian history as I wanted to get closer and deeper into the culture by visiting other states,” she says. So, off she went to Kashmir, Delhi and Rajasthan, where she met the late Maharaja. She then moved on to visit Hyderabad and Kerala to experience the bountiful land filled with fruit-bearing trees, tea plantations and exotic flowers.
“The land is so fertile that if a seed falls from the fruit you are eating, another fruit will grow,” she jokes.
It is this endearing attitude about her that makes you want to learn more about both the woman who radiates a passion for India and about the country itself. It was equally apparent that Mala was both delighted and surprised at the extent of Shaikha Huda’s fascination for her homeland.
Bringing India to Bahrain
With the exciting prospect of finding new treasures on her journeys, Shaikha Huda endeavours to bring a piece of India back home every time she visits. She continues to bring many new artefacts to her boutique in Adliya.
Step into Lavender, her warmly decorated home accessories and interior décor store and you will discover handcrafted goods from various countries, primarily India. Boxes and chests of drawers made of hammered metal with skilfully drawn patterns, elaborately framed mirrors, crystal lights and dazzling chandeliers are examples of some of the treasures Shaikha Huda handpicks on her trips.
Covering India north to south and east to west, she found that every state produced different styles of work. Going deep into the villages and into the homes of the craftspeople and seeing how the pieces are produced deepened her appreciation for their work.
“I watched them shear the sheep, produce wool and make threads. They are so talented,” she says. Working closely with them, Shaikha Huda ensures a high level of quality in the textiles, jewellery and furniture she sells at Lavender.
A green thumb in the desert sand
There is a sweet story behind the appearance of Bahrain’s first-ever home-grown magnolia. Common in the Himalayan region, this flower usually thrives in the cold conditions of mountainous land.
In the hands of a capable grower, a magnolia made its way to Bahrain, grew and finally blossomed after eight long years of careful attention and nurturing. The green thumb behind this story is Shaikha Huda, who brought the flower back from one of her visits to the region.
“I was determined for it to grow and I was so happy when it bloomed,” she gleefully recalls.
A member of the Bahrain Gardening Society, Shaikha Huda adds this claim to fame along with many awards she has garnered at the Bahrain International Garden Show where she is a committee member as well.
It is this passion for gardening that attracted her to India in the first place. “I have been to nurseries all over, enjoyed several garden shows and visited the most beautiful botanical gardens,” she explains to Mala.
On another occasion, Shaikha Huda was reading about a gladiola bulb exporter in a small town close to Darjeeling. Always on the hunt to brighten her own exotic garden at home, she set off to bring some of these bulbs home and, even more importantly, make them grow. Blossom they did along with some gardenia cuts she found in Kerala that she painstakingly nursed until they finally bloomed into fragrant flowers three years later.
She also worked her magic with a variety of vegetables, herbs, mangoes, lemons and even avocado trees despite Bahrain’s severe desert climate.
Irresistible India
Earlier this year, the Indian community held a well-attended spectacle of traditional and contemporary dance as the Kingdom was introduced to the ‘Irresistible India’ series, a programme initiated by Mala.
With the expectation of a similar success, the second event on November 15 will feature a renowned Indian dance troupe, who will perform Kathak, a traditional dance form with a contemporary touch.
Although she admits she has much more to see and do in India, Shaikha Huda is always inspired by the glittering lights of the Festival of Diwali here in Bahrain, and she looks forward to another cultural evening courtesy of Mala and her ‘Irresistible India’ series.
