The lady with the lamps

It all started in 1974, when Lata bought two small traditional lamps from the Juna Bazaar at Pune, for Rs. 9. 8220;The significance of lighting the lamp for evening prayers had been impressed upon me in childhood and the sanctity associated with lamps always remained with me. I had an eye for unusual lamps, so I decided to collect them once I had more time on my hands,8221; she says.

Lata started to collect lamps seriously in 1990. She would scour old utensil shops in Tulshibaug and do the rounds of the Juna Bazaar. 8220;Most good buys come from the flea market. At times, old, discarded lamps are available in heaps on the streets. But at other times, one has to seek them out from amongst scores of ancient, used articles. Sometimes, it8217;s just a question of luck.8221; She points to one such find 8211; a lamp placed on an elephant back that dates back to the Peshwa period and was procured from a trip to Goa.

While luck may have a part to play in putting together this collection, the uncommon pieces are proof of a discerning eye. Take, for instance, the lamp shaped like the pope8217;s mitre with a cross in the background, or a two-in-one lamp-cum-bell in the image of a woman bearing a lamp. The one piece that Lata prizes most is designed with the head of Ganpati, whose trunk encircles a lamp.

Her husband, Vasant, and she are fond of travelling, and each visit has meant more lamps for the collection! 8220;I found that each state has a specialty. Kerala attaches particular importance to traditional lamps. They do not have a spout for the wick. Instead, a thin line etched on the inside of the lamp keeps the oil from spilling over and the wick burning for a longer time,8221; she says.

Lamps are not just decorative pieces 8211; they also have a significance attached to them. 8220;The Orissa lamp, with the figure of a man on elephant back balancing a row of lamps, is traditionally given to the daughter on her wedding day while the laman diva, or a lamp with a long decorated handle, is used to welcome newlyweds into their new home,8221; says Lata.

One section is devoted entirely to animals, another to lanterns 8211; including one in the shape of a teapot. There8217;s also a fish-shaped lamp from Goa which has an oil storage area and is used to light other lamps!

8220;Some of the lamps are based on scientific principles wherein the flow of the oil is controlled through apertures in strategic places which influence changes in air pressure,8221; says Vasant.

In November 1996, the Vazes decided to spend Diwali traditionally 8211; they lit all the 350 lamps in their collection. 8220;It took 10 litres of oil, two kg. of Dalda and 500 wicks, but it was worth it,8221; says Lata.

Lata spends a good part of the day dusting and polishing her treasured collection. It is evident that both husband and wife take their lamps very seriously. The move to their new house six months ago was prompted by this extensive collection. 8220;We plan to have a exclusive lamp museum some time in the near future.8221; That should be a bright spot on the Pune tourist map.