ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Jali

Hello there! Today, I'm going to explain to you all about something called jali. Jali is a decorative element that can be found in a lot of architecture in places like India, Pakistan, and other parts of South Asia.

Now, imagine you have a wall or a window. Normally, you might just have a solid piece of material there, like wood or concrete or glass. But with jali, you can make that wall or window a lot more interesting! Jali is like a screen made out of a material like marble or stone, and it's usually very intricately carved with patterns and designs.

The cool thing about jali is that it's not just pretty to look at – it also serves a functional purpose. Because it's a screen, it can let in light and air while still blocking out things like insects or prying eyes. And because it's so ornate, it can cast really cool shadows on the ground or other surfaces.

So there you have it – jali is a decorative and functional element in South Asian architecture that is made of intricately carved screens. It can let in light and air while still blocking out things you don't want, and it looks really cool!
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