Is Khayāl A Dhrupad Form?
Present is a working paper on how Indian music was Islamised, but only on the surface as the Islamists did not have the knowledge, skill, or imagination to go beyond nominal changes. Yet most Indians, uneducated in our ancient traditions lapped this narrative up and gave it currency. Here are arguments to show that Khayāl is a name given by the Islāmists, to a rather attractive Dhrupad form of singing which existed before the plunder of this part of the world began.
Read MoreInvoking Mother Goddess this Navaratri (Part 1)
The conception of divinity as parents, father and mother, which is the most natural and primary mode of worship, is fully seen in the dual deity of Heaven and earth, Dyava-Prthivi, who save from sin, remain by one's side, gratify and protect one and with wisdom give one moral guidance... The mystic potency, being the wonderful mother who projects this variegated picture of the universe, is not only Illusion (Avidya) that beguiles one, but also, ultimately, Vidya or Spiritual Wisdom, as it is by Her grace that we get over Her and see the truth of Brahman.
Read MoreEffect of Cultural Tourism at Shonibarer Haat
Shonibarer haat is a weekly Saturday afternoon bazaar set up by local artisans in Santiniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal. It takes place on Saturdays in the khowai region, which is a geographical formation of small canyons resulting from constant erosion caused by wind and water. This place is characterised by Shyambati canal on one side and a patch of dry forest of Sonajhuri (Acacia Auriculiformis) trees on an eroded landscape of red laterite soil on the other side. Sonajhuri literally means “droplets of gold”.
Read MoreRamayana Parampara in Tripura
This is the third part in the series of articles on the Ramayana tradition in North-East India. The immensely rich cultural history and heritage of Tripura certainly brings forth the point that both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata had always been an integral and inseparable part of this heritage.
Read MoreThe quintessential carvings of Konarak: where Architecture speaks the Language of Astronomy
Konarak, the architectural marvel of India is also known as the Black Pagoda, Arka-kshetra, Padma Kshetra or most popularly the Sun temple of Odisha. This outstanding testimony is aptly praised by Rabindranath Tagore as “the language of stone surpassing the language of man”.
Read Moreआचार्य वाचस्पतिमिश्र: व्यक्तित्व एवं कृतित्व
आज भारत में ही नहीं अपितु समूचे विश्व में प्रायः जो किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ता की स्थिति उत्पन्न हुई है वह आचार्य वाचस्पति मिश्र जैसे पूर्वजों द्वारा स्थापित आदर्शों की अवहेलना का ही दुःखद परिणाम हैI आज की पीढ़ी अपनी परम्परा, अपनी संस्कृति एवं अपने परिवार से भी इतनी दूर होती जा रही है कि उसे अपना हित, इष्ट या मुख्य प्रयोजन भी यथार्थ रूप में न कोई समझ पा रहा है न ही कोई कोई समझा पाने की शसक्त भूमिका में स्वयं को समर्थ पा रहा हैI
Read MoreHistory Of Asana And Exercise In India
Asana has an important place in exercise traditions as well as in spiritual traditions like classical Yoga, and there is a good deal of overlap between the two. Yet we should discriminate between these two levels of its usage. Hatha Yoga crosses over both these practices, having a connection to martial arts as well, but primarily uses asana mainly to prepare the body for meditation.
Read MoreRamayana Parampara among the Garos and the Jaintias of Meghalaya
Dadhi Mathan, the childhood story of Keli Gopal (Sri Krisnā) is the only play based on one of the episodes from the Mahabharata. Bhari Gan is mainly performed as a part of the different traditional modes of worship and rituals and ceremonies of the Rabhas and the Garos. In a full-fledged occasion of such traditional worship such as Bhar Puja, both the Dadhi Mathan and a Ramayana-based play are performed.
Read MoreRamayana Parampara among the Khasis of Meghalaya & the Seng Khasi Movement
The overall storyline of the Ramayana that used to be popular among the people of Meghalaya before the advent of a foreign religion into their land is very much the same as that of Valmiki Ramayana, the only difference being the names of the different characters and as well as the names of the places which have a local, regional touch.
Read MoreArtist, Patron, and Public in India
What function did the artist or craftsman fulfill in society, and in that other invisible part of the universe, which he was able to convey by his work to those around him and to posterity?
Read More