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| Wednesday, 11 February 2004 |
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Candles that match visions of beauty by Rohan Jayetilleke In English literature the baker, the butcher and the candle stick maker are raised on the same pedestal of importance. The first two give sustenance to the people and the latter light to dispel darkness in their homes when the sun sets. William Shakespeare immortalized the candle's beam of light in his play 'The Merchant of Venice qualifying candles as: "How far that little candle throws its beams; So shines a good deed in a naughty world". The candle lights have withstood the onslaught of the electric lights and birthdays, veneration to Jesus Christ and his saints world over are led by candle light. The light of the candle is unsteady and unsure with the blowing winds and to light a candle in a blowing wind is never a possibility. We see around us single lights, fancy lights, neon signs, lit chandeliers and moving and dancing decorative lights, but the beam of light of the candle is sacred and impressive. This light touches the chords of every heart. When somebody dies we place two candles. Similarly we place two candles over the grave. Thus candles are the trusted companions on the dark nights from birth to death. Nainital, 320 km from New Delhi, is a beautiful hill station, with a more beautiful emerald lake girdled or cradled by seven hills. The two hill ranges guarding this place, a nature's gift, appear like two hands clasping the lake. This lush green place though in existence from time immemorial with the indigenous people, came into publicity only with its discovery by one Englishman. P. Barren who settled down in this idyllic site building a cottage named 'Pilgrim Cottage in 1811. With the passage of time it has become the cynosure, never to be missed by visitors either Indian or foreign, for this hilly settlement offers another creation of 'Wonderful Candles'. The two lake - ends are called Tallital and Mallital, with a small temple dedicated to Nani Devi by the lakes. This goddess's name Nainital has been given to this abode of the goddess. The places that entice you are Dorothy's Seat, Land's End, or Snow View and the art form that is in the bosom of this hill station. The candle making here is unique never or ever found in any part of India or even on the Green Planet. These candles romantically called Kumaon burn and never melt as is the case with the normal candles around the world. Pure 'A' grade paraffin wax is used as the basic material. This basic wax is pure white and colonization is done by the maker, conjuring in his mind the beauty and glamour to give to the finished product. The colours, in powder form are mixed proportionately with molten wax, which is then poured into a mould and left for some time for the formation. Once the candle has taken its perpendicular shape, a machine or a hand finish is given. Essentially, to add personality to the candle, and the visions of the candle maker, hand finish is preferred. Only the tapered version gets a machine finish. It is in the process of 'finishing' that the ingredient of 'love' is added to the candle. It is this 'love' and the deft manicuring of the candle that gives the candle the uniqueness. The candle when lighted does not emit smoke or melt as it burned. This is due to the use of an appropriately sized thread, just the correct girth, quality and length, and addition of a measured quality of stearic acid. Most of the time the colour inside a candle glows like in a transparency in an etherial look. It is due to the addition of fluorescent colours. It looks as if the candle marker like a painter had poured colours on the easel that is the wax coat. After the mould has set the candle in a definite shape and size, some colour is placed on the candle. Thereafter a little molten wax is poured onto the head of the candle design and the colours just drape down on the wax. It runs as far as the wax is warm and freezes in flowing shapes and contours giving the candle life and breath. There are two varieties of candles, one for daily use, that are tapered, twisted and hand-cut. The other is spiral one. They come in myriad of colours for the buyers to choose from. Further there are decorative candles with green, red and purple colour. A huge candle gives the impression that it has snowed on the candle. There are those with small Christmas trees, bells and a dancing couple in the snow. There are statues which look identical like the stone hewed statues. You visualize anything the candles are there distinctly with your visions of beauty. **** Back **** |
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