The Perks of Being an Arts student

0

Arts-student

“Arts? But why Arts?”

“You seem like a bright student. Why do you want to take up arts and spoil your future beta?”

“Arts? Oh! I guess engineering or medicine is not your cup of tea.”

Only a person studying arts is used to such comments made at them very often. After all, for a huge part of the society, arts students are senseless. To all those people always trying to belittle us, judge that studying arts is lame and is for the losers who fail to get into medicine, engineering or any mainstream field; this article is for you.

1. Being an arts student itself is an art.

Everything you do is not about some theory already found and can’t be questioned, but something new that is going to be appreciated. You don’t need to mug up already established theorems and formulae. There are perspectives in arts and everybody gets to have a say.

2. Freedom to be highly opinionated and NOT be judged.

There is no one to tell, “Oh wait, you’re wrong!” Most of the topics we study are debatable and subjective views are allowed. This encourages us to think and have our own opinions and also express them. You can talk about any topic, be it extremely shocking, disturbing or just silly but still nothing is judged.

Arts allow us to see things differently.

One of its lessons is tolerance. Also, arts students learn to appreciate beauty in things and abstract forms that even transcends the logic of rational thinking and reasoning. Art is anything. Draw a line, that’s art. Making love is art. EVERYTHING means something for an arts student.

3. The openness with which we discuss otherwise contentious topics are very liberating.

One of the best things about being an arts student is that you can talk about sex and sexuality without being shy because it is a huge part of being human, hence the “humanities”. For example, commerce students laugh or giggle at the very idea of a vagina, however an arts student wonders about how the vagina stands for female power. Similarly, orgasm is just climax (or as a matter of fact, just a fantasy) for a science geek, but for a literature student, orgasm is an imagery often used by some of the greatest poets.

Being-an-Arts-student
Image – Pixabay

4. Arts allow you to study your hobby!

What more could anyone want? You love writing? Great you can study it. You love dancing? You can study that too! Arts is liberating, mentally and physically.

5. Arts is relatable

Who would want to study something which has no immediate impact on one’s life? I wouldn’t. Arts is about everything, your life and my life. It’s about talking with a loved one, eating something nice, relationships, career, health, society and almost everything! It’s about science too.

6. Arts can be a promising career as well

Studying arts isn’t a catastrophe like everyone says. Yes, it’s not a cakewalk but it isn’t impossible either. Acting, dancing, photography, journalism, psychology, etc. are also lucrative these days. Which profession isn’t without a little risk here and there? This is what makes life worthwhile, isn’t it?

7. Most importantly, you grow a lot as a person

What’s life if you have all the riches in the world without being a good person? Arts broadens our perspectives, induces character, compassion, confidence, liberal thinking and equips us with all the virtues to face our life ahead strongly and grow as a person.

In short, “Earth without art is just ET.” All those people studying arts out there keep your heads held high and shout out, “three cheers for arts!”

Suggested Reads
10 Best Fine Art Schools of India to Build a Career in Visual Arts
How Much Does Fine Art School Cost in India?
10 Books on Indian Art that Every Artist Must Read

Top Instagrammable places in Philly

0

Philadelphia Places to visit

Philadelphia is probably one of the most underrated places for excursions. This small city in Pennsylvania has a lot to offer, especially if you want something that satiates the need for the gram. Today we are going to list a couple of really beautiful Instagrammable places in Pennsylvania that can help you get a ton of attention on the platform. If that is what you’re on the lookout for, then this list is just for you. So stick around till the end to find something that is bliss to your eyes, and also to the eyes of your followers. So without further ado, let’s jump right into it. 

Rocky steps and the rocky statue

If you are one of the greatest fans of rocky balboa then, this photo opportunity isn’t the one to let slide. Rocky steps and the rocky statue are situated in the museum of Philly and alleviate their ambiance with their mighty presence. This is one of the most common tourist places in Philly but is good as well. It is not one of those overrated tourist locations that are just made to turn in revenue. Instead, if you are a Rocky fan, then you will rejoice in recreating the legendary scene from the movie, with a thousand other people there. The photo opportunities are crazy here. If you want to show your 50 followers how big of a rocky fan you are, then this is the perfect opportunity. Also, if you’re looking to increase the number of followers you have on the gram, without much effort, then this might be the perfect opportunity for that as well. The most simple solution to the above problem is to buy Instagram followers. Not only does this increase your credibility on the platform, but it also increases the number of people who get to see your updates and align with your ideas. 

Love sculpture and Amore sculpture

If there is something that needs the attention of your followers on the gram, it is the love sculpture in Philly. It is one of the best creations around the city with a message. Since love sculptures have become a thing in a lot of places around the country, this particular love sculpture is also cherished. You can click some nice pictures in the love park and also with the sculpture itself. If you’re someone who is trying to promote positivity on your profile, then this is the palace that you must visit. After all, a nice sunset and a picnic in the love park are all you need to rejuvenate for the day. 

The liberty bill

If anything, Philadelphia is one of the most culturally rich places because of its varied history of the place. One of the most important things in the history of the United States is the declaration of independence, which was signed right here in Philly. To cherish that history and remember it for years to come, the government has created the national independence historical park, which houses the declaration of independence inside it. Inside the estate, there is also the popular liberty bell, which also has its fair share of contributions to the history of the nation. If this does not qualify as cool on Instagram, then we dont know what will. After the series of movies named the national treasure, it has become even more popular as people still think that there is a freemason treasure, waiting to be discovered. However, the entire place is a great location to click pictures, learn and observe. Overall, if you’re looking to appear articulate on your profile, then this is the perfect place for you. 

Race street pier and cherry street pier

If you are waiting for incredible views and enjoy sunsets, then these two spots are going to be your favorite two spots in the city. Both of these piers have been created under the shadow of the Benjamin bridge, which is what adds more to the richness of this place. With incredible sunsets to offer, as well as a ton of photo opportunities, these two places must be on your list if you like to Instagram about the places you visit. Apart from being really photo friendly and aesthetic, these two spots also offer the right ambiance for a perfect summer evening and hence are one of the most visited places in the city. Imagine being with the people you love after sundown, and the cold sea breeze hitting your face. That is exactly the kind of vibe this place carries and we’re sure it will pass with flying colors as one of the coolest places in Philly. 

Benjamin franklin bridge

After being satiated by the views that the under-bridge has to offer, we highly recommend you to take a look at what’s above. The Benjamin Franklin bridge offers a panoramic view of the entire city and also offers more than one and a half miles of footpath for avid runners. On Sunday mornings this is one of the most crowded places in the city because people who want an active escapade from the mundane often come here to ruminate and decompress. Benjamin Franklin bridge will take your breath away if you’re not careful or if you’re a runner. In both cases, you will be able to grasp one of the most beautiful sights the city has to offer. So don’t miss out on the photo opportunities. 

Conclusion

The above-mentioned 5 spots around the city are well known for their aesthetic beauty. However, if you’re catering to an older crowd on the platform, then we recommend visiting the independence hall for sure. If you’re on the lookout to increase your followers on the gram we highly recommend buying Instagram followers, from websites like getting viral and social viral. There is no need to worry as these websites offer the right quality and organic followership on your profile. We’re sure the list was of great use to you. Till then, keep scrolling and spread the word!

Revisiting Cheriyal Painting – A vibrant world of colour

2

Cheriyal-Painting

#Didyouknow that around 100 kilometres from Hyderabad in Warangal district of Telangana State in India is a village called Cherial with an amazing art form which is 400 years old? Why is it special? Let us find out. The folk art form of Telangana has scroll paintings, masks and even toys which are well known and well liked. It is an art which is still alive and available to us through efforts by artists who are painting and also by holding workshops and exhibitions by these practitioners. The art and its related items are sold online and at emporia as well.

Suggested Read: Folk Art Forms of India – Defining Our Cultural Diversity

A Peep into the History of Cheriyal Painting

The art we are discussing started 400 years ago. A scroll from circa 1625 is in the collection of a museum at Hyderabad, Jagdish Mittal and Kamal Mittal Museum of Indian Art. It depicts the legend of Markandeya and Bhavana Rishi.

Cherial village, Telangana
Cherial village, Warangal, Telangana

The scroll format depicts heroes and their exploits, of a particular community or Hindu mythological stories. A stylised version of Nakashi art, it was given this term when Telangana was under the Golconda sultans. However, the art resembles Nayaka art from Vijayanagara with strong local Telangana motifs. This art was popular in Andhra and Telangana regions though it is now centred at Cherial. Historically speaking, in India we have the Phad scroll painting of Rajasthan, Paithan/Pinguli paintings of Maharashtra, Prasastipatra of Gujarat, Odisha and Bengal have the pattachitra. Though the rulers of the area were Muslim, Hindus were a big part of the population and merchants, landlords and the local temples followed their own culture and patronised the art form.

Cheriyal-Scroll-Painting
Scroll depicting Goddess with snake-hood, mythological tale, Telangana – Wikimedia

The scroll paintings were used by balladeers called patamavaru, who performed at villages with a group and narrated the story depicted in oanels to educate the people, depicted along with accompanying musical instruments. Each panel of the scroll would depict an episode. The Bhagavata purana, Krishna leela, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Shiva purana, Marandeya purana have been popular themes of the scrolls. Also, local puranas like Daksha Yagya and Madel purana made for the ‘dhobi’ caste, Jambavanta purana for the ‘madiga’ caste and Goud purana for the ‘goud’ caste of Telangana.

While narration, other than the scroll, props like masks, dolls, leather and wooden puppets, were also used. The scrolls were large, 30 to 45 feet in length and 30 to 45 inches in width. 

Cheriyal-Scroll-Painting
left:Large Scroll depicting a mythological tale, Telangana, Wikimedia. Right: Painting depicting festival of Bathukamma, Telangana.

The painting was made on khadi cotton treated with a mixture of starch from rice and a variety of white mud, tamarind paste made from boiled seeds and gum water. This process was followed up to 1850. On this surface the artist made the sketch with a brush or pen made of squirrel hair. 

Cheriyal-Painting-Sketching
Artist making the sketch of the painting, Wikimedia

The colours were derived from natural sources. After 1850 mill made cloth started being used and colours were imported from Europe was used. The masks are made from wood, sawdust and tamarind paste. The background is dominated by red and the painting is made using lively colouring. The scrolls used to be consecrated as well, with a sacred ceremony. The balladeer would pay the artist and the scroll would be kept in a temple for 3 nights and then a feast would follow with the sacrifice of a goat. When a scroll got old, the artist would repaint it or it would be fed to the water with a ceremony.

The Cheriyal artists and their art

The format of a scroll was vertical with 20 to 30 panels; the legend starting at the top. Sri Jagdish Mittal, art historian opines that from the 17th to the 19th century, there were eight to ten families of artists from Telangana. About 70 years ago there were few remaining artists who lived around temples of the region. Since 1942 only one family of the descendants of Nakashi Dhanalakota Venkatramaiah has been living in Cherial in the district of Warangal. This is how the name ‘Cherial painting’ came about. He was a great painter of the 20th century. Artists from Karimnagar, Daklu and Appaiah from Hanamakonda were also experts in the field. 

Cheriyal-Painting-Artist
Artist D. Nageshwar at work filling colours, 21st century. Wikimedia

The legends were meant for performance before people of a given caste and they were traditionally fixed to be shown by balladeers who belonged to a given caste who were entitled to perform before people of the patron caste. The balladeers were Shaivites and were from Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, Medak, Khammam and Mahboobnagar. 

There are very few extant examples from the 16th to 19th centuries. The art however continues to this day in different forms. Given that the style of painting shows Nayaka dynasty art’s influence. It can be inferred that the artists may have migrated from Vijayanagara to the prinicipalities of Gadwal and Wanaparthy, spread to North Deccan and also the court of the Qutub Shahis. After 1775, the influence of their patrons from the North Deccan took place, also the scrolls became larger. Further changes happened in style from the 1840s.

Over the last 80 years the balladeers and performers got eliminated and the art got side-lined due to the advent of cinema and television. 

Cheriyal Painting in Present Scenario

Cheriyal-Painting-Artist-D.-Saikiran-Varma-at-work
Left: Artist D. Saikiran Varma at work. Right: Artist D. Saikiran Varma’s studio.

Where is the art today? As mentioned, artist D. Venkatramaiah’s descendants live in Cherial, his son late D. Chandraiah, his son D. Nageshswar, and younger brother of D. Chandraiah, D. Vaikuntam have kept the art alive. Son of D. Nageshwar, D. Saikiran Varma works from Hyderabad. His mother Smt. Padma and brother Sravan Kumar are also artists. They are painting vivid artworks to suit both home and office environs, making masks, dolls and innovating to incorporate the art to make keychains, painting on apparel, painting on mobile covers, decorative plaques, and other everyday objects. They hold exhibitions and workshops of the art form regularly (including online classes) to teach art enthusiasts who wish to learn this style of painting. The Secunderabad railway station in Telangana, displays Cherial scrolls of local traditions such as marriage ceremonies and pottery making.

Another artist late Merugoju Chandraiah learnt the art from D. Vaikuntam. His brother Merugolu Madhu works from Lalapet, Secunderabad and has a YouTube video on the painting form, for the interested person. He conducts workshops as well.

Showcased here are few artworks from the studio of artist D. Saikiran Varma which depict scenes from rural life in Telangana, masks, dolls, decorative and utility items as well. The paintings and masks can liven the décor of any home with its sheer colourful energy! 

Here are Some Great Cheriyal Painting Examples

Cherial-decorative-items
Cherial decorative items
Cheriyal-Painting-Examples
A marriage procession, Cherial painting
Cheriyal-Painting-Examples-01
Lord Vishnu with attendants, small masks of Dasavatara surround the main painting.
Cheriyal-Painting-Examples-02
Cherial masks of Shaivite man and woman.
Cheriyal-Painting-Examples-03
Left: Cherial painting in a home setting. Right: Cherial painting on apparel
Cheriyal-Painting-Examples-04
Lord Krishna, Radha and ‘gopis’.
Cheriyal-Painting-Examples-05
Left: Yakshagana mask. Right: Cherial painting on a mobile cover
Cheriyal-Painting-in-present-day
King and queen in a forest setting.

Cheriyal painting has evolved with the times. Initially it focused more on telling a mythological story through a large colourful scroll with the panels depicting episodes but today the art focuses more on village scenes and general themes of life. Also, the deities like Krishna and Ganesha are not forgotten and are painted in the Cherial style. More power to this wonderful art form!

Suggested Read: Types of Indian Paintings That Flourished Through the Ages

References:

  1. Mittal, Jagdish (2014) Deccani scroll paintings in the Jagdish and Kamal Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad: Jagdish and Kamal Mittal Museum of Indian Art.
  2. Pavani, N and Ratna Kumari, D (2019) – – History of Telangana Cherial painting, International Journal of Home Science Vol 5 (2).

7 Types of Earrings to Invest This Festive Season

0

Types-of-Earrings

Earrings, the moment we spell out the word, women go absolutely crazy about it. Every woman has enough earrings to resell and get more than the number that she actually has. All the ear piercings seem less when one has so many earrings. Earrings are the most important jewellery for a woman and hence, investing in earrings is not something women do thoughtfully. But, honestly, there are times when we don’t even realize that we’re just wasting money over unwanted earrings. We love the pair of earrings momentarily but later on, regret buying those. Happens a lot!

But, may what comes, have a good earrings collection is must. And now that the second half of 2022 has begun and the entire festival list will be in action, possessing the best pair of earrings will be a must and hence, we have here for you a list of earrings you must invest in. 

1. Kundan Earrings

Kundan-Earrings-by-Zivame

A pair of Kundan earrings is an encapsulation of wonderful craftsmanship and custom. We realize you can hardly hold on to move to the tunes of Garba this Navratri. However, why not additionally seem to be Deepika? Drawing out the entirety of your strips in a single day, a restrictive piece of studs in Kundan is all you want to get your extra game right on track.

2. Chandbalis

Types-of-Earrings-Chandbalis

Ye teri Chandbaliya… Just like the song is a piece of art, so are the pair of Chandbalis. A piece of workmanship changed over completely to a stud is a chandbali. This has been around for quite a while, truth be told since the hour of lords and presently exceptionally impressive in the design scene. Match this with a lehenga or an Anarkali to procure praises!!!

3. American Diamond

Types-of-Earrings-American-Diamond

Could it be said that you are prepared to display a little shimmer this merry season? Since the frill pattern this year stuns and shimmers in endless states of American Diamonds. These studs observe luxury and flashiness, guaranteeing to give you the genuine article from day-to-night. Without the slightest hesitation, style yourself in moving American Diamond earrings.

4. Basic Hoops

Types-of-Earrings-Basic-Hoops

Hoop studs are a style enduring; no gems assortment is finished without something like one set. For such a basic plan, they’re strikingly flexible: curiously large gold circles are a late spring fundamental.

5. Jhumkas

Types-of-Earrings-Jhumkas

The unquestionable requirement, the “go to” sets of hoops for all customary wear Jhumkas come in all shapes and sizes-gold, umbrella, stone studded, multi-step and considerably more. This is a sure thing for sarees particularly the silk ones.

6. Oxidized

Types-of-Earrings-Oxidized-jewellery

Really rural, and obviously every VIP’s best jewellery choice nowadays, oxidized hoops are a champ when matched properly. Light or splendid, day or night, the magnificence of these studs lies in the way that they work out positively for pretty much any outfit. These moving oxidized studs uncover present day craftsmanship and assist you with saying something.

Lastly, 

7. Chandelier / Drop Earrings

Types-of-Earrings-Drop-Earrings

One more expert creating these Chandelier hoops have been around for quite a while and look shocking with both Indian and western outfits. You could attempt the gold, oxidized and furthermore the jewel ones to match your dress. It is a complete unquestionable necessity!

I’m sure your hands might have already turned to an online website to buy all these pairs! That’s the correct way, buy them now!

Raja Ravi Varma : Painter Of The Royalty, Artist Of The Masses

0

Raja-Ravi-Varma

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), born as M. R. Ry. Ravi Varma, is one of the greatest artists and painters of the 19th century. Popularly referred to as the Father of Modern Indian Art, he was considerably adored for his realistic portrayal of Indian Gods and Goddesses. While he devoted his life painting for the royalty, he is also incredibly credited for taking art to the masses and inspiring them with his prints and oleographs.

Artistic Bloom

Raja Ravi Varma was born in April 1848 in Kilimanoor, Kerala, to a family close to the royals of Travancore (mostly through his wife Bhageerthi). In his formative years, he drew animals and everyday scenes on walls in indigenous colors made from natural materials such as leaves, flowers and soil. When his uncle Raja Raja Varma noticed his dedication, he encouraged him to pursue his talent further. Under the patronage of Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore, he began learning watercolor painting from the royal painter Ramaswamy Naidu. Later, he trained in oil painting from a Dutch artist named Theodore Jensen.

Painter of the Royalty

Ravi-Varma-Princess-Damayanthi-talking-with-Royal-Swan-about-Nala
Image Source

Varma became a much sought after painter for the aristocrats and was commissioned several portraits in the late 19th century. Arguably, at one point, he became so popular that the Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala opened a post office to receive the sheer number of painting requests that would come in for him. Later, he traveled across the country extensively, especially for work and educating and inspiring others. 

Following a portrait of Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda, he received commission work of 14 Puranic paintings for the Durbar Hall of the new Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Baroda. Depicting Indian culture, Varma borrowed from episodes of Mahabharata and Ramayana for the same. Figuratively he divided his paintings into three logical categories of ‘Puranic’, ‘Religious’ and ‘Scenes from Hindu Classical Drama’. He was also at the receiving end of patronage from numerous other rulers, including Maharaja of Mysore and Maharaja of Udaipur. This commission work would have been officially incomplete had it not been the support and undeniable assistance of his sister Mangalabai Thampuratty, and his brother C Raja Raja Varma. Besides the celebration of his work, Raja Ravi Verma’s sibling camaraderie is something one could look upto. 

As his popularity soared, the artist won an award for the exhibition of his paintings at Vienna in 1873. He was also awarded three gold medals at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. 

Artist of the Masses

Raja-Ravi-Varma-Mahabharata-Birth-of-Shakuntala
Image Source

Raja Ravi Varma aspired to take his art to the masses and this intent led him to open a Fine Art Lithographic Press in Bombay in 1894. The first picture printed at Varma’s press was reportedly ‘The Birth of Shakuntala’ (also bears the spelling ‘Sakoontala’), followed by numerous mythological figures and saints such as Adi Shankaracharya. In 1901, Ravi Varma sold the printing press to a German lithographer, Fritz Schleicher, who continued to manufacture the lithographs. 

In September of 1894, the chromolithographs of goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati were launched. Back in the time when religion, its methods and places of workship was restricted to a certain class of society, the Lakshmi and Saraswati chromolithograhs were revolutionary in their own way. It was only in the 1930s, much later after Varma’s death in 1906, when the process of opening of temples to the masses commenced, substantially instituted by the Temple Entry Proclamation of Travancore in 1936. 

Raja-Ravi-Varma-The-Maharashtrian-Lady
Image Source

“The Lakshmi and Saraswati chromolithographs breached every religious injunction and restriction by making their way into every Hindu home thereby democratically offering Hindus across all classes and castes access to uniform religious imagery.” (source: Google Art and Culture)

In actual fact, the lithographs have been recreated from popular paintings done by Raja Ravi Varma. That being said, the lithographs themselves need not have been painted by the man himself. The Ravi Varma Press which was run jointly by the Varma brothers and Fritz Schleicher, employed a school of trained artists from Europe who learnt to paint in the style of Ravi Varma and continued to create lithographs similar to his style, even after his death.

Works and Inspirations

Raja-Ravi-Varma-Damayanti
Image Source

Varma maintained the ‘Indian-ness’ and authenticity of his paintings whilst deriving inspiration from Indian epic poems and mythology. Amongst his innumerable works were Skakuntala, Hamsa Damayanti, There Comes Papa, Lady In Moonlight, Woman Holding A Fruit, Yashoda Krishna, Galaxy Of Musicians, Vishvamitra, Tilottama, Reclining Nayar Lady, Stolen Interview, The Maharani Of Travancore, Maharani Lakshmi Bayi, and Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, amongst others.

Raja Ravi Varma’s Draupadi Vastraharan

Raja-Ravi-Varma-Draupadi-Vastraharan
Image Source

It is no secret that Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings are sacred in their own ways. Over 130 years after its creation, the painting titled Draupadi Vastraharan went under the hammer for the first time on April 6, 2022. It was sold for a massive Rs 21.16 crore in an auction. The historic painting exhibits the infamous disrobing of Draupadi by Dushasan surrounded by Pandavas and Kauravas in the palace of Mahabharata. 

Present Day 

The popularity of the prints, in fact, continued till modern times, with Varma’s style used as inspiration for the illustrations in the popular comic book series named Amar Chitra Katha. Later, the well-known pioneer of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke (1870-1944) was one of the artists working at the Ravi Varma Fine Arts Lithographic Press before departing for Germany to study the latest printing techniques and cinematography. He was in awe of Varma’s work which made him transport these themes into cinema in order to inspire the nationalistic sentiments to seek a free and independent nation. These prints depicted sacred, religious and social themes that found resonance with Indians to arrive at a common religious and nationalistic identity desperate and desired under alien rule.

Most recently, a weaved weaved illustration of Raja Ravi Varma’s ‘Galaxy of Musicians’ on a saree was sold for INR 40 Lakh! It was woven by Indian Weaves based out of Chennai. The Vivaah Pattu saree is silk sari made up of navratna stones like diamond, emerald, ruby, yellow sapphire, sapphire, topaz, pearl, cat’s eye and coral. It also has embroidery in metals such as gold, platinum and silver.

Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

In the present day, several foundations continue to celebrate his legacy. The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation established in the year 2019 celebrated 125 years of the print legacy of the inimitable Ravi Varma Printing Press. The Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation established in 2015 sustains Varma’s artistic legacy by engaging with relevant stakeholders and the public. The latter also held a Phygital NFT auction in August of 2022 to sell 10 of the best chromist made lithographs from the Ravi Varma Press, each filled with natural intuition and positive emotional energy. These included Madalasa and Rutudhwaja, Vasantika, Hamsa Damayanti Samvad and Madri. A documentary by the same can be found on Youtube titled ‘Wanderers Between Worlds’ created under the tutelage of the foundation, which unveils the artist’s life.

Not to miss, a significant contribution comes from the acknowledgement of Varma’s works by scholars and collectors. For instance, the ‘Gods in Print: Masterpieces of Indian Mythological Art’ incorporates a number of lithographs which cannot be found elsewhere. Herein, a forward has been penned by the reputed Prof. Vasudha Narayanan and an Introduction by Richard H. Davis.

Not to miss, Erwin Neumayer and Christine Schelberger’s jointly authored book titled ‘Raja Ravi Varma: Portrait of an Artist, Diary of C Raja Raja Varma’ is one of the most extensively documented books that offers deep insight into the life of Raja Ravi Varma and that of his brother. The life excerpts were derived from a journal kept by Raja Ravi Varma’s brother, serving as an authentic source material on the last ten years of the life of the artist. While Erwin Neumayer has authored many books on Indian art, his wife Christine taught art in a school in Vienna. The book also features many of his paintings including ;The Feast of Roses, L’inamorata’. The Foundation members use it extensively as reference material in their research.

To know more about them, you can visit their Instagram page

Mumbai Street Art – A Deep Perspective of Vivid Expressions

0
Street-Art-in-Mumbai-02
Image – Sindhu Shekharan Thakur

Street Art is a form of expression which shapes up the wholesome role of dedicated fate which is so dynamic. Anything on the street is not that of the artist but that of the viewer who tests the perception. The perception is built on either reality in general or the more so on reality of the artist.

Suggested Read – Street Art in India – The Rise of True Expressions

Mumbai the city which never sleeps, the city where everyone needs to dare in order to survive makes way for the most daring people who have nothing to lose. This daring is not out of a rebellion. It is in fact driven out of the sheer need to express the voice with the compulsion of being bigger than the voice. 

Street-Art-in-Mumbai-01
Chapel Road, Bandra – Avishek Datta/Flickr

The voice becomes so huge that the name of the artist gets lost in the process.  The process gives rise to ultimate opportunities which cannot be contained. It gives a voice to a unison calling. Most of the times it just looks visually so amazing that it is value addition to the locality it is painted on.

The value addition becomes a recognized effort which cannot be discounted. The complete countdown comes to the repulse or recall depending on the viewer. The viewer encourages the artist to express more and the person who can express becomes the person who can instill life in the street art.

Street-Art-in-Mumbai-03
Image – Bollywood Art Project – BAP

The meaning of art finds yet another addition through Nostalgia, Bollywood, Political Views, Personal views, Opinions, etc. That is why this form of art is so appreciated in Mumbai. It turns around the line of events into the most defined norm of cohabitance.  The norms cannot be spilled over for convenience but they need to be revoked by the awakening of the very spirit. 

Street Art allows a lot of scope for contemplation, growth and reminiscence. This makes up for any lost time that anyone can encounter when one does need to fulfil the norms of greatness.

Street-Art-in-Mumbai-04
Image – Qihui/Flickr

Street Art is the impactful choice of words which scoops up the force of nature. This means that the complete tribute comes from the honesty in art. The nurturing makes the realism shine through. The astounding drama in Art is makes way for the complete faith of time.  The vigilance of drama is known to configure the honesty of art. 

Street Art contemplates the depth in Art which cannot be measured in any other form. The magic of Street Art is called the revitalizing of the dissociation. The dissociation cannot be removed from the surrounding. Street Art resembles a known passion of things. 

Street-Art-in-Mumbai-05
Image – Bollywood Art Project – BAP

The passion comes from the very tribute to recognize the belonging of the soul. The soul can measure the type of knowledge forming the capsule towards the forthcoming prize of existence. Passion is what drives a person towards the betterment. The betterment is about finding the balance in society. This makes the balance repel the understated and nobody can make the revolution uptight. 

The revolution is a part of society which is to make up for any uptight beliefs. The beliefs are the ones which cannot be seen as the false but a version of alter-ego. The alter-ego is usually the way of life which needs to be managed through various creative outlets which make us surface from nothingness. The nothingness comes from the place where the contribution is known to be massive. The ruling of a countdown cannot be negated. 

Street-Art-in-Mumbai-06
Image – Qihui/Flickr

The whole idea of having street art is to allow the times to flow. Ignorance can never be bliss what Street Art does in a place like Mumbai is wake up towards the reality. The consumer is to find himself in the chase, that is what makes up the role of realization real. The expressions are all known to be circumvented with knowledge, power, expression and empathy. 

There is no ignorance in anything which makes up for the space which is occupied with the colorful opinionated murals in Mumbai. The full place is known for its drama and there is nothing which can let loose of all the drama. 

Street-Art-in-Mumbai-07
Image – Satish Krishnamurthy/Flickr

The drama showcases the depth of character which leads us towards the extension of what to expect from the artist. The expectation is due to the bearing of the soul. The soul talks to the most known form of recollection which cannot be touched. As the Art is completely visually appealing and it does stir up the soul as it is. 

The soul makes up the passion to revitalize the goal of every person even when the collapses, collisions and composures shine through. This is the form of art that we are going to view over a period of time on the Streets of Mumbai. Especially through the mind of the painter and by way of making him feel that even his voice has been heard over and over again.

 

New Age Writing Tools for Millennial Writers

0

New Age Writing Tools

What is the current attitude or style of writing nowadays? Do the majority of writers begin writing by documenting visions on their notes, or do they start by straight up writing down their ideas in their notebooks? An easy guess is that people typically use computers for these purposes, right?

The characters and attitudes of the digital age readers are different from conventional hardcover book readers. Thus, the vast demand for digital reading sources mandates websites to create regular content without compromising quality.

The good news is: that there are plenty of solutions! We are glad to assist contemporary writers in their aspirations. In this article, we’ll share with you some fantastic tools to significantly boost your productivity and make sure you become a top-quality writer of this millennium. 

Google Docs

Google Docs is an element of GSuite. It is an application that allows you to cooperate with other editors and writers. Its most prominent features include viewing the history of your proofreader’s edits to examine and analyze the same modifications that will benefit your progress the most.

Writers can profit from the extensive Google Drive cloud storage to save their notes, drafts, writing and reference files, pictures, and more. The best part about it is its flexibility: employ it to manage your mobile writing device and even update your Google documents on the fly with it. 

Grammarly

Since grammar nazis are the thing nowadays, people of all ranks and statuses utilize this software to avoid having lexical, grammatical, spelling errors, and typos in their essays, blog posts, legal papers, and such. Its premium account contains some incredible features that will help you improve your writing abilities. But even without spending money, it’s still an essential instrument for beginner writers.

For basic accounts, it is possible to specify the purpose of your text, including the style, mood, level of formality, and what audience it is designed for, which is, obviously, might be of tremendous value. When you write, Grammarly simultaneously updates the word count and offers immediate corrections to grammar errors. It also evaluates the accuracy, coherence, clarity, appeal, and delivery of your writing. 

IA Writer

IA Writer is a tool for bloggers who operate with brief posts or essays. This writing software is compatible with all Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, iMac) and includes the Focus Mode feature that helps the user to maintain a distraction-free environment.

This tool is special among others because it features a big-screen mode that accentuates the line you’re currently typing and dims all other document elements. It’s an ideal instrument for those looking to increase their focus and keep their creative thinking process going strong as ever.

App’s creators selected fiction writers ( know more about it) as their target audience. IA writer comes with a minimalistic yet stylish interface. It’s a beautiful, uncomplicated word processor that allows you to sync your work across all your devices. 

Evernote

This application lets you register daily ideas that pop spontaneously and fade away fast. Making quick notes when thoughts arise is an excellent way of capturing glimpses of inspiration in a moment or overcoming writer’s block. Evernote is a note-taking tool definitely worth exploring.

Also, you can save any new pieces of text you’d like to read in the future or manage your writing prompts that you will be able to return to at any time when you’re ready to resume working on them. 

This writing app comes with several other features, for instance, the transcription mode that effectively allows you to convert your voice notes into text 

iMindMap

iMindMap is mainly used to design mind maps for novels and essays. This writing tool allows us to complete texts promptly. It is strongly advised to outline your work as an integral component of the writing process for non-fiction writers that want to improve their regular word count. iMindMap is more of an organizer that helps you recall what you’ve already outlined.

This technique is especially effective when you record your mind maps as articles. This way, you’ll not get lost in the book because of being swamped by the number of ideas. iMindMap is regarded as the most cutting-edge tool for mind mapping currently available, with less expensive alternatives being MindNode or MindMeister. 

Conclusion

It’s a wonderful and, in fact, kind of priceless thing to have these tools nowadays! Writing is gradually and steadily becoming easier because our software developers are committed to developing tools to help spread quality content in this digital age.

You may use these applications as much and long as you will; however, you should remember that they will never be a complete substitute for a person’s writing powers. It is important to develop as an individual and gain more wisdom in the various aspects of your life, as your experiences will be your key weapon to becoming a well-known writer – a rule that remains constant across all millennia.

Four Tips To Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable

0

Tips To Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable

The world is looking at different ways to become more sustainable, with a major focus being on our wardrobes. It isn’t just large companies that need to be more sustainable, but it is also down to consumers to make conscious choices when they are purchasing. Changing your shopping and fashion habits is a great way we can all do our bit towards making our lives more sustainable, which is what we are here to help you do! 

1. Organise Your Wardrobe

One of the best things you can do to make your wardrobe more sustainable is to organise your wardrobe. Stick with us here, as this is a great way to go through everything, where you might find clothes you completely forgot about and you can fall in love with them again. Pick out things that you haven’t worn in a while and try styling them in a different way, to create brand new outfits out of clothes you already have. 

If you come across pieces you really won’t wear again, pop them into a bag and we’ll tell you what you can do with them in our next point. Once you just have pieces you know you love, organise them in your wardrobe in a way where you can easily see everything, so you don’t end up forgetting about them again one day. 

2. Donate or Sell Your Unwanted Clothes

Now you’ve got your bag of clothes you don’t want, it’s time to donate or sell them. There will always be some clothes in your wardrobe that you do not want, and that’s okay, but the important part is what you do with them. The easiest thing to do is throw away your clothes and they are never to be seen again. However this is the worst thing you can do, as its terrible for the environment and it is very likely that there is someone else out there who would treasure these pieces. 

If you have a tracksuit or another piece of clothing that is relatively new but you no longer wear it, sell it. You can then use the money you make to buy more sustainable clothing or to support local charity shops. This could be jewellery, accessories, clothing, anything! If you don’t think you will get much money for it, take them to a charity shop. No matter how you decide to pass on your clothes, just make sure you avoid throwing them away to be as sustainable as possible! 

3. Buy Second-Hand Clothes

Many years ago, people frowned at people wearing second-hand clothes, but things have completely changed for the better. Browsing on websites such as eBay, Vinted and Depop are great sites to find second-hand clothing. There are some amazing brands out there which are sold at a more affordable price on second hand websites, so you can find pieces you wouldn’t have originally been able to afford! . 

Around 20,000 litres of water is wasted when one kilogram of cotton is produced, one of the most common materials made to create clothing. That is a ridiculous amount of waste for very little clothing, hence why buying clothes that have already been through that process is one of the best things you can do, because you are reducing the demand for the new clothing that causes the damage. 

4. Shop Less and Wear More

Now is the time to start shopping less often and start wearing your clothes many more times than you usually do. Before you buy a piece of clothing, you should ask yourself if you will wear it at least 30 times, otherwise you shouldn’t be buying it! 

To Conclude 

As you can see, there are many ways to make your wardrobe sustainable without spending any money (you will probably end up saving or even making money in the long run).

Where Can Indian Citizens Travel to Right Now?

0

Where Can Indian Citizens Travel

After two years of complete closures, stay at home orders, and limited travel, countries around the world are quickly opening up their borders to eager travellers. 

India has also been following suit: at the end of March 2022, the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation reinstated international passenger flights, and routes have almost been restored to pre-pandemic levels.

With so many countries opening their borders and airline routes being renewed, now is the perfect time to consider traveling abroad once again. The only question remains — Where can Indian citizens travel now?

The answer is quite surprising: more than 150 countries await! 

If you’ve been dreaming about jet setting off to an exotic locale, this guide will go over some of the best countries that are open to Indian tourists, what to do there, and much more. 

The Caucasus: Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia

Where-Can-Indian-Citizens-Travel-01

For a complete change of scenery — sprinkled with delicious gastronomy, awe-inspiring landscapes, and thousands of years of history — look no further than the Caucasus. 

The three countries that make up the Caucasus region — Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia — all have an electronic visa scheme for Indian nationals. In fact, filling out the form (such as the ASAN eVisa application from India) should only take 15 minutes, and the processing time is usually instantaneous.

Some of the most popular attractions in the Caucasus include exploring traditional ruins (such as Vardiza in Georgia, a complex network of caves and cellars);  hiking along legendary routes (Mount Aragats in Armenia); and relaxing along Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea coast. 

Europe: A Classic Destination

Where-Can-Indian-Citizens-Travel-02

Indians who have a valid tourist visa can finally use it to explore the classic art museums of Italy, charming cobblestone streets of France, or marvel at the futuristic cities in Germany. 

Best of all, the majority of European countries have lifted most (or all) coronavirus restrictions! For example, Italy no longer requires travellers, regardless of their country of origin, to hold a valid vaccination record or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. 

In fact, there are only a few countries that still have coronavirus restrictions. For example, Malta requires visitors to have proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result. Other countries with entry restrictions include France, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg, but mainly for unvaccinated travellers.

No visa? No problem! 

There are two countries in Europe, Serbia and Albania, that allow visa-free access for Indian citizens. Serbia is famed for its unspoiled nature and metropolitan-like capital (Belgrade), while Albania has more than 120 kilometres of pristine coastline and Communist-era museums. 

Asia: Plenty of Restriction-Free Options

Where-Can-Indian-Citizens-Travel-03

Southeast Asia, which is one of the most popular regions for travel and tourism, had many countries that recently opened to international tourism.

Some of the latest developments include Indonesia (reopened in January 2022), Thailand (April 1), and Laos (May 2022). 

For something a little closer, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, India’s nearby neighbours, have also reopened. In fact, the Maldives were one of the first countries to reopen to international tourism all the way back in summer 2020!

Tourists are allowed to enter the Maldives without the need for quarantine or COVID-19 tests, although the Ministry of Health recommends that travellers undertake a PCR test within 3 to 5 days of arrival just in case. 

Sri Lanka was also a leader in reopening its borders during the pandemic, and required a slew of requirements before arrival, including two COVID-19 tests (pre- and post-arrival), a minimum number of days in the country, and only staying at accommodations that were pre-approved by the government.

However, there are no entry requirements for Sri Lanka any more, and travellers may freely enter the country without any worries.

Must Try Traditional Sweet Delicacies of Andhra Pradesh

0

India is renowned for its extensive selection of snacks and sweets. Indian states each have their own distinctive sweets and snacks. Additionally well-known nationwide are the traditional sweets produced in Andhra Pradesh. Traditional sweets of Andhra Pradesh are scrumptious and wholesome. The majority of the well-known sweets from Andhra Pradesh are healthy and made of dry fruits. Despite Andhra Pradesh’s reputation for spicy food, the state’s sweets continue to enjoy a strong following nationwide. There are many traditional sweets produced in Andhra Pradesh that are made for festivals and other special occasions. There are several types of sweets offered for different occasions. They have sweets for festivals, weddings, parties, and other occasions. Because they value quality cuisine and maintain a high standard of hygiene, Andhra Pradesh will always have fresh sweets available at all times. Aside from these sweets, they provide a variety of unique and tasty sweets for various religious ceremonies and rituals.

Putharekulu

The Sweet Delicacies of Andhra Pradesh, Putharekulu
Image – Wikimedia

Putharekulu is a traditional South Indian dessert. The sweet is packed with sugar, dry fruits, and nuts and wrapped in a wafer-thin rice starch layer that resembles paper. The dish is popular in Telugu regions for festivals, religious rituals, and weddings. Dip a cloth into the liquid batter and spread it over an inverted kadhai to make it. The cloth is quickly removed, leaving a batter stain on the kadhai. It becomes paper-thin and crispy when cooked in a hot kadhai. Ghee and sugar are then sprinkled on top, and Putharekulu is folded into rolls. To make it even tastier, add crushed dry fruits before folding.

Ariselu

The Sweet Delicacies of Andhra Pradesh, Ariselu
Image – Wikimedia

Ariselu is a traditional Andhra Pradesh dessert. It’s made with rice flour, jaggery, and ghee and served during the Sankranti holiday. Ariselu is related to Adhirasam, a Tamil Nadu delicacy. Sesame seeds are added to this version of the dish. Sesame seeds are a speciality in Ariselu because they aid in body temperature regulation, especially during the winter months. This is a delicious Indian treat to make for the holidays and share with family and friends.

Kajjikaya

The-Sweet-Delicacies-of-Andhra-Pradesh-Kajjikaya
Image Source

Kajjikaya has a light, crisp shell, and when you bite into this crescent-shaped sweet, its crunchy texture expands into every bite, leaving you happy and wanting more. Before being deep-fried, small balls of maida dough are shaped into thin puris and packed with a mixture of dried coconut, sugar, semolina, and cardamom powder.

Kakinada Kaja

sweets of andhra pradesh, Kakinada Kaja
Image – Wikimedia

Kakinada Kaja was made in Kakinada in 1891 when Chittipedi Kotaiah, a native of Chinaparimi village near Tenali in Guntur district, moved to Kakinada and opened a sweet shop. It was carried on as a family legacy from then on, and the family’s entire generation still runs them from the city. It is still marketed in big quantities, and people go from all across India to sample it. They also sell a variety of sweets at their shop. It’s also available in a variety of cuisines throughout the city. Kaja’s main ingredients are refined wheat flour, sugar, and edible oils or ghee.

Bellam Paramannam

The-Sweet-Delicacies-of-Andhra-Pradesh, Bellam Paramannam

Andhra style rice payasam with jaggery is known as bellam paramannam. In some areas, it’s also known as Sankranti pongali or bellam pongali. This is made especially for the Sankranti holiday. Sankranti is the harvest festival. Rice, milk, sugar or jaggery, almonds, and ghee are used to make this sweet delicacy. Some people use a variety of grains, lentils, coconut milk, or other ingredients to make the original sweet Pongal or paramannam.

Poornam Boorelu

sweets of andhra pradesh, Poornam Boorelu
Image – Wikimedia

Poornam boorelu, also known as poornalu, is an Andhra cuisine delicacy made of chana dal, jaggery, cardamoms, urad dal, and rice. In most Telugu festivals and occasions, it has been a staple on the menu. Poornalu, like most other Telugu cuisines, employs urad dal as its main ingredient since urad dal has long been the most widely produced pulse in Southern India. Also it is  served at festivals, weddings, and other special occasions. For varalakshmi vratham and Durga Navratri, most telugu-speaking houses cook poornam boorelu to offer as naivedyam to the Goddess. 

Kova Kobbari Laddu

The-Sweet-Delicacies-of-Andhra-Pradesh, Kova-Kobbari-Laddu
Image Source

Kova Kobbari Laddu, also known as Kobbari Kova Kajjikayalu, is a traditional Andhra dessert. The outside layer of the sweet is prepared with khoya (milk solids) and sugar, and the filling is made with fresh coconut and jaggery, which is cooked together to form a thick paste. Many South Indian sweets, such as Kobbari Poornalu, Thengai Poli, and Vella Kozhukattai, can be made with coconut jaggery filling.

Sunnundalu

The-Sweet-Delicacies-of-Andhra-Pradesh-Sunnundalu
Image Source

Sunnunda, also known as Sunni Unda, is a sweet delicacy from Andhra Pradesh. The main ingredient is Urad Dal, also known as Minapappu (skinned black gram). Roasted urad dal, jaggery or sugar, and ghee are used to make it. Cardamom seeds and your favourite nuts can also be added. In the old traditional recipe, jaggery or bellam is used instead of sugar. This delicious meal is high in antioxidants. They are high in iron, protein, and minerals.

Sweets are an important part of our lives, and they are provided at every happy occasion. These traditional sweets are also valued in Andhra and are prepared on a regular basis. These are the most well-known Andhra Pradesh sweets, however, the people of Andhra Pradesh also enjoy a variety of other regional sweets. Most of Andhra Pradesh’s famous sweets are made at home because they don’t require much precision and are simple to make.