In the next email, I will include his original message.
Jugal
"Kalita, Jugal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Subject: FW: Translating an Assamese text
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 13:19:37 -0600
From: "Kalita, Jugal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
-----Original Message-----
From: Kalita, Jugal
Sent: Fri 7/28/2006 1:19 PM
To: Craig Cowing
Subject: RE: Translating an Assamese text
I am not sure. Kali is a powerful goddess for those who believe in her. She is a complex Goddess for the Shakta branch of Hinduism ('Shakta' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Shakti', which means strength and power, the ability to destroy as well as do good on a large scale [like the US of today!]). Look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali to get a feel for what Kali is all about.
Kali is popular goddess, especially in West Bengal (a state of India) and Assam, among the Bengali-speaking Hindu people. People make big idols of Kali and worship her on a special day when in these parts, it's a religious holiday. There are also year-around worship places for Kali. When Kali is prayed to by the believers, it is an elaborate ceremony with the lighting of large numbers of earthen and other devotional lights; burning of incense and other devotional smell-producing substances; beating of drums cymbals and other devices; sounding of conches; and loud singing of her praise. A Brahmin priest usually stands in front of the idol in the alter, for a period of time during the prayers and personally offers the prayer on behalf of the gathered congregration by fanning her with a "brush" with flowing white hairs during what's called an "arati". (I am no believer of Kali, but am reporting on what I have seen during my childhood, growing up near a Kali Mandir or Kali Temple.)
Production of loud sounds using conches, bells, drums, etc., is an essential part of the popular worship of Kali. I would say that the bowl may have been used or may be designed for making such sounds during the worship of Kali.
Jugal
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Cowing [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Fri 7/28/2006 12:54 PM
To: Kalita, Jugal
Subject: Re: Translating an Assamese text
On 7/28/06 2:33 PM, "Kalita, Jugal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> What does it sing? What are the words or the essence of what the bowl is
> singing?
>
> Jugal
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Craig Cowing [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Fri 7/28/2006 11:39 AM
> To: Kalita, Jugal
> Subject: Re: Translating an Assamese text
>
> On 7/28/06 12:40 PM, "Kalita, Jugal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>> It is "Kali Citra", pronounced in Assamese as "cull-e see-traw". It means
>> "Kali Picture". So, it's a drawing or an illustration of Goddess Kali.
>>
>> Jugal
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Craig Cowing [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Sent: Fri 7/28/2006 6:27 AM
>> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Subject: Translating an Assamese text
>>
>> Mr. Kalita:
>> I found your name on the website www.assam.org as having helped to develop a
>> font for the Assamese script.
>>
>> I recently bought a singing bowl that has what I believe is very brief
>> inscription in Assamese. I have attached it to this email. I am looking for
>> someone to translate and transliterate it for me. I think I have part of
>> it--Kaalii ---oi but I'm not sure. If you feel you would have a moment to
>> look at it I'd greatly appreciate it.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Rev. Craig Cowing
>> Blooming Grove NY
>>
>>
>>
> A further thought--what would be the connection between Kali and a singing
> bowl?
>
> Craig Cowing
>
>
>
The bowl is bronze, and is almost 8 inches in diameter. It can be struck
like a bell, and has a nice bell tone, or it can be played so that it
"sings" by rubbing a wooden stick around the outside edge. It has a
beautiful deep humming sound when you do that.
Craig
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