Atheists in India – Do They Exist?

August 19, 2016

Author – Dhruv Srivastava

Atheists-in-India — Image – Kanaka Menehune

On 20th August 2013, Narendra Dabholkar, a well-know atheist and anti-superstition campaigner, was shot dead by two unknown assailants, while he was out on a morning walk. On 30th August 2015, M. M. Kalburgi, a scholar and rationalist, was shot dead at his home. On 2nd July 2011, the house of U. Kalanathan, secretary of the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, was attacked in Vallikunnu after he suggested on television that the temple treasures of Padmanabhaswamy Temple should be used for public welfare. These incidents made me think -do atheists have a place in India?

In a society with many religions, you can feel as relieved as you can feel confused. Following a religion blindly, without ever asking – Why do I do what I do? How could a ritual possibly affect my future? Does my offering actually reach a higher power, or does it go as wasted food? Why is it a sin to eat non-vegetarian food on Tuesday and Thursday and not on other days? Why aren’t all my prayers answered? Similar questions appeal to the mind as life goes on, and such curiosities have made me look towards religion from a new and different angle.

Worldwide, people who follow thousands of religions, who have different ideas about God, exist. This includes atheists. Atheism came from the Greek word Aethos, meaning ‘without God’. People, who don’t believe in the existence of some supreme power or specifically, a religious deity, are of the atheistic kind.

India has been entirely different in its approach to atheism. With its citizens being extremely dedicated to appeasing their deities, India supports a vast variety of religions and cultures simultaneously. Religious events are celebrated with much enthusiasm and dedication to the gods, that it is hard to find something similar in other parts of the world. So, it is really hard to believe that atheistic Indians exist.

With film stars releasing movies on religious holidays, and people spending lot of money for religious ‘daan’, charity and religious celebrations, it is hard to see that atheists exist in the Indian society. While some people have doubts about the existence of the Almighty, they still continue to worship and visit temples as advised by society. On the other hand, there are some who openly admit their atheistic stance. There is abundant atheistic literature available where writers adopt a critical stand against the most-practiced Indian religions. Bertrand Russell‘s ‘Why I’m Not a Christian’ inspired Ramendra Nath’s ‘Why I’m Not a Hindu’.

In the past, many notable politicians and social reformers have been atheists. To this date, we have had people in notable professions and positions, joining the list. Prof. Amartya Sen, an Indian economist, philosopher and noble laureate, is an atheist. He also admits to it by associating with one of the atheist schools in Hinduism, the Lokayata.^. The actor John Abraham is a well known atheist, who admits to being a spiritual but agnostic person. The famous director and producer, Anurag Kashyap, clearly shows his atheistic stance with the words, “I am an atheist. Cinema is the only religion I believe in.” Even the first Prime Minister of the country, Jawaharlal Nehru stated:”What the mysterious is I do not know. I do not call it God because God has come to mean much that I do not believe in” giving proof of his atheist viewpoint. With that, we can clearly agree that atheists very much exist in our society.

Some other notable mentions are Meghnad Saha an Astrophysicist, Motilal Nehru, an activist of the Indian National Movement and father of Jawaharlal Nehru, P. Chidambaram, politician and former Finance Minister, Salman Rushdie, the Indian-born British Booker
Prize-winning novelist knighted by Queen Elizabeth I, Suhasini Maniratnam, an actress, Meera Nanda, writer and historian, film director Ram Gopal Varma and Goparaju Ramachandra Rao, a social reformer, anti-caste activist and atheist, who expounded his philosophy of positive atheism as a way of life and wrote a book on the same. In fact, this list is quite long.

The ‘Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism’, a survey conducted in May 2013, revealed that ‘the number of non-religious people in India has risen.’ While in the same survey in 2005, 87% participants declared themselves religious, the percentage fell to 81 % in 2013, a drop by 6 % in seven years. There are even Indian websites and organisations supporting atheism and its followers.

In 2008, the website Nirmukta was founded. It later became an organisation aiming to promote free thought and secular humanism in India. A random survey of Indian metros states that about 30 percent of the people ‘DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD’. Moreover, 17% have admitted publicly of their adherence to this philosophy. Among those who do believe in God, an indefinable superpower is seen as a better approach than belief in an isolated religious concept.

Aren't we all the same? — Aren’t we all the same? by Christian Guthier

According to the supporting organisations, being an atheist can be a good thing, as you are spared the religious riots, tensions and religion based politics. You are also spared the rituals the religious extremists have to perform in order to please their Gods. In spite of the open, free willed and unbounded nature of atheism, its followers face a tensed relation with fellow devotees who do not take atheism very well, as do people in western countries. Violent incidents like the killing of Narendra Dabholkar and M.M Kalburgi indicate the hatred religious fundamentalists have against atheists in India.

Indians should understand the importance of having diverse beliefs. A free country’s citizens should have the right to believe and practice whatever they fancy, and the people should be accepting and tolerant, unless of course they try to hurt others intentionally.

The first ‘Hug an Atheist Day’ was organised in India on 7 July 2013, by Nirmukta. The event aimed to spread awareness and reduce the stigma associated with being an atheist. On 23 September 2014, the Bombay High Court declared that the government cannot force a person to state a religion on any document or form.

The Atheist Centre is an institute working for social change but the attitude in India is best summed up in Debarati Roy’s words, “While belief in god and/or religion is a matter of personal belief, and everyone is guaranteed that freedom as a fundamental right, religion is such a sensitive issue in India that atheists debunking popular religious notions can be met with a lot of resistance. However, social acceptance and government recognition for atheists seem like a requisite for a secular state.”

In conclusion, Atheist Indians not only exist but also help us see God and religion from a whole new perspective.

Image Sources
FB/ukalanathan.vallikunnu
www.frontline.in
www.dnaindia.com

Best Weekend Getaways Near Chennai to Escape the Hectic Life

Caleidoscope

August 17, 2016

Author – Arvinda Soundararajan

Chennai is a city that is identified by its temples and beaches, year-long scorching heat and busy streets; but the city also has five weekend getaways nearby that one must visit to escape the hectic daily life.

1. Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Pulicat-Lake-and-Bird-Sanctuary — Image – Flickr/Sudhamshu Hebbar

About 2 hrs drive from the Chennai, this lake in Nellore attracts a lot of migratory birds between the months of December and January. Bird watching and beach activities are the major tourist activities along the sea-shore.
More info on Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary here

2. Mahabalipuram

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Mahabalipuram — Image – Flickr/Srini Sundarrajan

This sea-shore temple in the district of Kanchipuram is a must visit weekend spot.Classified as a world heritage site, it’s famous for the rock cut caves and sculptures. A few minutes’ drive away from the temple is the picturesque sandy beach surrounded by hills.
More info on Mahabalipuram here

3. Pondicherry and Auroville

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Pondicherry-and-Auroville — Image – Flickr Chad Woodford

Pondicherry proves to be one of the most popular tourist spots near Chennai. This union territory has a fusion of old age colonial architecture and contemporary French culture. Thirty minutes away is the Auroville Township. A weekend’s stay in this beautiful town provides an escape from city life and instills in us the true meaning of community living.
More info on Auroville here

4. Vellore

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Vellore — Image – Flickr/dev2r

A three-hour drive from Chennai, this ‘Fort City’ displays the perfect blend of historical heritage and picturesque scenery. The Srilakshmi Golden Temple and the Vellore Fort, completely made of granite stone, are the major attractions in the city.
More info on Vellore here

5. Chidambaram

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Chidambaram — Image – Flickr/n m

Famous for the 11th Century temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, Chidambaram provides everything that is conventionally expected of a Temple Town in Tamil Nadu. Fifteen kilometers away from here is the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest. A boat ride through the forest provides a surreal experience.

Chennai Cuisine: Every Foodie’s Delight

Caleidoscope

August 12, 2016

The first thing that comes to our mind while talking about Chennai cuisine is the early morning special ‘Filter Coffee’ and the all-time favourite ‘Thayir Sadam’ (curd rice). Other than that, the city has a variety of cuisine to offer food lovers – from the typical Idly-Sambhar to the spicy Chettinad dishes. While the authentic multi-cuisine restaurants are famous for their specific delicacies, carts selling steaming hot Idly-Chutney-Sambhar to office goers, small stalls selling Poli and Mini-Samosa at street corners and the Sundal, Bajji and Chat stalls at the beaches still remain the people’s choice.

chennai-food-dli-medu-vada-sambar-and-chutney — Idli, Medu Vada, sambar and chutney – Wikimedia

Chennai-food-filter-coffee — Filter Coffee – Wikimedia

Chennai-food-Kothu-Parotta — Kothu Parotta – Wikimedia

The city is famous for serving cuisines from across Tamil Nadu such as a variety of Parottas (made of Maida), Puliyodarai (Tamarind rice), Aviyal (vegetables and curd mix for rice), Pongal (steamed rice and moong dal with pepper), Paniyaram (dough ball made of idly batter) and the Chettinad Chicken and Fish Curry. Adding to this list are sweets such as Appam and Mysore Pak and drinks such as Jigarthanda, Rose Milk and Paneer Soda (made of rose water).

Chennai-food-Chicken-Chettinad — Chicken Chettinad – Flickr/Michelle Peters – Jones

Chennai-food-Chettinad-Fish-curry — Chettinad Fish curry – Wikimedia

Famous eateries such as Saravana Bhavan, The Grand Sweets and Snacks, Sri Krishna Sweets, Murugan Idly Shop and Thalapakatti Restaurant definitely maintain their standards to define the city’s multi-cuisine scene as one of the most authentic in the country.

To understand a foodie’s delight in Chennai, one must also attend a Tamil wedding and taste the ‘Kalyana-sapadu’ served on a banana leaf.

Chennai-food-Wedding-meals — Wedding Meals – jsbhavanicatering.com

Best Restaurants in Chennai

For Vegetarian Food

Saravana Bhavan
Murugan Idli Shop
Annalakshmi Restaurant

For Non-vegetarian Food

Madras Pavilion
Dakshin
Barbeque Nation

A Quick Getaway to Chokhi Dhani

Aditi Bose

August 10, 2016

Author –Aditi Bose

It was a New Year’s Day morning, when my friends and I left the grime of Delhi to escape into peace and solitude. Chokhi Dhani was our destination.

We stopped only once on the way because without morning tea, the journey would have been impossible. We chose Hotel Highway King! It was a place where only the word ‘highway’ made sense. But thankfully they gave us the caffeine that we needed.

Research had revealed that it would be around 260 km from Delhi. But the lady who speaks her mind once Google Map is switched on had other plans in store for us. She decided to lead us onto a village road that was dusty and bumpy. But when you are with friends, even that turns out be the cause of a lot of laughter. After a car trek through the obstacles, when we finally reached the five star ethnic village resort, it sure brought out a lot of deep gasps from us.

Kotri or the lobby of the resort is where we first entered. While some were busy filling in the check-in details or getting rooms, a few others headed to the washroom. But my eyes were busy taking in the beautiful effect that the bamboo net ceiling, the carved furniture, the artifacts, and the Rajasthani paintings on the mud-plastered walls had created. Truly a luxurious way to glimpse the ethnic richness of the state.

It was nearing lunch by the time we had finally settled into the rooms and had freshened up. The ‘mice in my stomach’ had started to run amuck by then. Even though in my heart of hearts I wanted to experience the sit-down-on-the-ground-to-eat Rajasthani food, I knew that would have to wait till later in the evening when the fair started. So, for now I had to be satisfied with some continental food at the air-conditioned restaurant – Bindola.

Afternoon siesta is what I hate missing. And on a cold winter afternoon, the temptation is higher. Especially when the Kund, or the swimming pool, lay bereft of any water. And the body felt more sleepy than tired so I chose shut-eye over a pampering massage at the spa.

Not wanting to miss out on walking around the property and exploring all the nooks and crevices of it, I set my alarm for an hour-long sleep. After my evening tea, I was ready with my camera and a self-serviced tour of the resort. What I found were many swings, figurines, cackling geese near a small pond, a couple of rickety tree houses that I dared to climb, a camel cart with a camel that had brought in some supplies for the resort, a bar whose ceilings were studded with thousands of mirrors, and a recreation room that had, amongst other things, a nice bean bag to laze in. I didn’t have time for that though. The evening fair was about to start. I could hear faint noises of drumbeats. It was time to hit the village fair that the Chokhi Dhani resort is known for.

I followed the pathway that one of the hotel officials had instructed me to follow and entered an area that was a Mad Hatter’s party! Pity that other than me, only one friend decided to accompany me. The rest wanted to laze around in the room. But it was their miss.

Jostling through the crowd I found myself in front of a magician, clad in traditional Rajasthani outfit, enjoying taking out pigeons from under a basket as the crowd merrily cheered on. I joined in. It was time to let my hair down. Then followed the innumerable stages where ladies in brightly coloured clothes were performing various dances of the state. Some of the names I had learnt during projects that I had made for my daughter’s school. The rest remained unnamed. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was getting up with them and shaking a leg. Shyness got the better of me. This is one reason I will go back there again, someday. The dance still remains to be done.

Seeing a long queue of people heading towards the room where they were serving traditional food, my hunger struck again – more out of impulse than necessity. But soon my friend and I found ourselves following the queue into the ‘magical room’ and gorging on some of the tastiest dishes that I have eaten in a long time.

With a satiated stomach, we continued the partying for half an hour. The others had also come in by then. And soon we found ourselves hopping onto camel rides, bullock cart rides, elephant rides, sliding down enormous slides, shopping for curios and souvenirs at the shops, trying our hand at the potter’s wheel and clapping along with a bunch of kids at the puppet show.

When one is having fun, time just passes by. The same happened with us too. Midnight came sooner than it had come for Cinderella. Yes, we didn’t have to run before our clothes turned into rags but the body wanted some rest. The next morning would be another drive. This time back to the grind of daily life. But that’s a given because without the routine, a holiday would never be as much fun.

Image Courtesy – www.chokhidhanisonipat.com

Exploring the Great Houses of Calcutta

Trisha De Niyogi

August 8, 2016

Author – Trisha De Niyogi

Houses of Calcutta - Kolkata-New-Market-circa-1945 — New Market – Wikimedia

“Palace, byre, hovel –poverty & pride – side by side” – Rudyard Kipling

As I peer through the tiny ovoid window of my aircraft, the aerial view of the city of Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) seemed verdure. Once I landed, even though several new structures seemed to have sprouted in the last few years, the old buildings– some grand and some decrepit – still seemed to be characteristic of the city described by Rudyard Kipling as ‘’packed and pestilential’’.

But Kolkata is my birth city. It holds my parents’ youth and my grandparents’ lives. The city I see is much different from the Howrah Bridge, Yellow Ambassador Taxis, Victoria Memorial, Grand Hotel or Esplanade. I see a city hidden behind masses of electric and telephone wires.

Great-Houses-of-Calcutta-Grand-Hotel — Image – Flickr/Vintage Lulu

During my childhood visits to Kolkata though, I was blessed to see two absolutely different faces of Kolkata. I remember the 100 year old well-kept white house with blue roof slants, with a mango and a banana tree in the courtyard, where I spent most of my days. But, I also remember, and maybe much more fondly, the greyish black façade of the house which had slightly tilted over the years, especially the pink walls and green windowpanes. I still remember pressing my face against the bars on the window, peeping through them, looking at the market below and at my favourite tadka daal vendor. I feel lucky to have known and lived in houses through which I could learn about the ‘Great Houses of Calcutta’, which seems to be neglected by the historians, governments and even the people residing in them.

Great-Houses-of-Calcutta-Chowringhee-Square — Esplanade, Calcutta – Wikimedia

On the one hand, a replica of the London Clock tower has been built, not as a Durga Puja Pandal but, as a permanent structure in an attempt to make the city of Kolkata as glorious as London. On the other hand, the heritage buildings, which are the chromosomes of Calcutta’s individuality, have been neglected since long and some of them are even being torn apart to make way for newer structures.

Be it the Victoria Memorial or the Grand Hotel, the city’s character lies in its old world charm. Despite the much famed adda sessions or artistic and academic inclinations of the city, the main source of attraction still lies in the architectural marvels of the city, including the great houses which have recently figured in several Bollywood cinemas including Parineeta, Vicky Donor and Piku. These houses have not just been of great interest to our indigenous eyes, but to academicians from across the world as well.

Great-Houses-of-Calcutta-Victorial-Memorial — Victorial Memorial Hall – oldindianphotos.in

Two of them, authors of the recently released book titled- The Great Houses of Calcutta, were Ms. Joanne Taylor & Prof. Jon Lang. Joanne Taylor is an art historian from the University of South Wales while Jon Lang is an emeritus professor at the school of Architecture, University of New South Wales.

We Recommend…

The Great Houses of Calcutta: Their Antecedents, Precedents…

The book is well-researched with informative text and beautiful photographs. It throws light on the very fact that makes Kolkata so special. It points out that some of the patterns were antecedents to the traditional Bengal architecture as the designs range from Greco-Roman style to modernist architecture. Not only that, the houses also borrowed and imported art, designs and ideas from other parts of India and west Asia. I had made note of this in one of my observations as well.

I have seen high ceilings with beams in many an old house in Kolkata, including mine, which worked well for the Bengal climate as they would keep the rooms cool. But, the long tall-pillared balconies would do just the contrary. The direct sunlight on the room’s walls would raise the temperature within. Therefore, I believed and it has been confirmed in the book, the use of horizontal wooden slats or jhilmils between the high columns. Such improvisations made it possible for artistic desires and practical needs to co-exist in these houses, thus becoming the style of houses in Kolkata.

Great-Houses-of-Calcutta — Image – Flickr/Sudipta Mallick

There were perhaps more than five hundred such great houses including gardens and pleasure houses in and around Calcutta. But, today only a handful of them remain. The book also talks about twelve of these existing houses selected as exemplars in aesthetics and planning. Jorasanko Thakurbari of the Tagore family and Mullick Mansion, better known as the Marble Palace, were of great interest to me personally, since my childhood.

These houses of Calcutta give great insights into the physiological, psychological, social and economic conditions, along with the architectural, artistic and even the religious preferences and their interactions in the past. The impressive estate entrances, which usually came in three generic styles – the arched, pillared and triumphal, were always the first things you saw and they were truly majestic. As they say, first impression is the last impression. These houses were a precursor to what were to follow, which proved much grander indeed.

Great-Houses-of-Calcutta-Marble-Palace — Marble Palace – pothik

I still can’t forget the day when my father took me to the Marble Palace. I stood by the entrance pillars and I marvelled at the beautiful pillars till I peeped inside. The idle fountains and weed-ridden pathways give us a hint of what these mansions would have been when life thrived in them. The bold facades, the curving driveways, the well-manicured gardens and lawns and the duo-coloured porches of the Mullick Mansion had intrigued a little child back them and it still does.

The bahir mahal, which was the quasi-public heart of the great houses of Calcutta, was the men’s territory. The andar mahal was reserved for family members and a few servants. The two mahals were traditionally connected by passages or steep stairways that were often darker with tunnel-like appearances.

Rabindranath Tagore recalled:

A murky flickering lantern is hanging in the long Venetian screened corridor leading from the outer to inner apartments. At its end this passage turns into a flight of four or five steps, to which the light does not reach.

While reading these words, my mind raced back to the innumerous times when I had taken a rickshaw past these houses – some hidden and some in the open, wondering whether they still had people living in them or at least the ghosts of the past. The green shuttered windows with those wrought iron grills, the spaced porches and the red-oxidized floors give my birth city an old-world charm. It reflects in the amazing architectural ethos and interior designs of today, but they seem to be getting lost in the mad rush for multi-storey buildings and concrete chaos.

Tips For Choosing The Right Mattress To Buy

Caleidoscope

August 5, 2016

Are you losing countless nights of sleep on the mattress you have? Can’t decide on what mattress to buy? There are many things to consider when choosing a mattress. Here we will help you choose the right mattress by giving you some handy information that will help you along the way.

#1: The Age Of Your Mattress

How old your mattress is will play a huge roll in choosing your next mattress. As a general rule, if your mattress is eight years or older, it’s likely time to get a new mattress. Do keep in mind that not all mattresses will fall under this rule. There will be mattresses that will last well beyond eight years and still provide you with a great night’s sleep.

The best way to decide if your mattress needs to be changed goes back to how you are sleeping at night. If you find your nights are spent restlessly tossing and turning in pain, you wake up and your body hurts, you are not sleeping, having disrupted sleep, or you just wake up still tired and unrested, it’s time to replace your mattress and possibly change the mattress dimensions.

Types Of Mattresses And How Long They Last

Latex – 10-12 years
Memory Foam – 8-10 years
Hybrid – 8-10 years
Innerspring – 7-8 years
Pillowtop – 7-8 years

#2: Budget Is Important

The type of mattress you purchase will also depend on what your budget is. Years ago, the only way to shop for a new mattress was to go into the store. If you had a small budget, you would get a mediocre mattress at best and a good mattress would have been out of reach.

Now that we have the ability to shop online, the industry has changed. So many new and older companies are making mattresses that have exceptional qualities while still being budget-friendly, even for the customer who has a more modest budget.

Keep in mind, when it comes to mattresses, expensive doesn’t always mean better, especially when you shop in a brick and mortar store. Those stores will inflate the price anywhere from 200-900%. If you want the best mattress you can get for your budget, online shopping is the place you should start looking for your new mattress.

#3: Firmness – How Firm Do You Need It For A Good Night Sleep?

How soft or hard a mattress is can play a huge part in how you sleep at night. Keep in mind that this is highly subjective because your version of firm may be different from someone else. The body type of those sleeping on the mattress – size, weight, height – all play factors in determining firmness as well.

#4: Are Support And Firmness The Same Thing?

The short answer is no, they are not the same. A mattress that has good support means it will keep your spine in a properly aligned position and will help alleviate pressure points. Without adequate support, you will wake up feeling sore and unrested. The firmness of a mattress relates more to the comfort level you get with your mattress. Firmness and support go hand in hand but are two different things.

#5: Other Things To Consider Why Buying A Mattress

Other things you should consider when buying a mattress are the sleeping positions of those who will sleep regularly on the bed, as well as the space you have in your bedroom for your bed. Sleeping position will affect the firmness you need and the support you need. Your sleeping position may also affect where in the bedroom you place the bed. If you like to sleep facing the door, but that means you have limited space, consider a full size or a queen-size versus a king-size.

Decide where you would like to place the bed based on sleep position, size of the room, and the furniture you have for the room. Once you have done this, you can then take measurements of the space you have available for the bed. Remember to take into account how much space you need to move around the bed as well. Buying a mattress can be overwhelming, but with these tips and information, you will find the right one for you!

Don’t Miss The Flavoursome Bangalore Cuisine at these Popular Joints

Caleidoscope

August 5, 2016

Bangalore attracts people from different Indian states due to the many opportunities it offers. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a mini India because of the same reason. In fact, these people are now very much a part of Bangalore. Right from the language to local festivals, they are adopting everything that is uniquely Bangalore including cuisine. Even the people from other states are all praise for the savoury Bangalore cuisine.

Here is a list of the popular Regional Bangalore Cuisine:

Benne Masala Dosa

Benne Dosa is a crispy, shimmering dosa with dollops of butter. The glossy brown edges are simply a visual delight. The inner layer of dosa is quite succulent and really filling. The balanced stuffing of spicy mashed potato adds just the right variation to the crispy, subtle taste of the dosa. Complement it with tangy green chutney and white chutney to tantalize your taste buds.

Best eaten as: Dinner

Want to try?

If you like to savour the authentic, traditionally prepared and flavoursome Benne Dosa then head straight for Davangere Benne Masala. These people don’t just make Benne Masala Dosa, they craft it carefully… to perfection. The earthen Tawas they use give the cuisine its trademark rustic aroma while the firewood stove slowly cooks every inch of the dosa, instead of speeding up the process like modern gas stoves. There is also the liberal quantity of oil used that not only adds to the ‘cosmetic appeal’ of the dosa but also help its aroma penetrate your senses and linger.

Feel like it? There are several branches of Davangere joints in Bangalore so the taste can differ but the best belong to the joint situated at Basaveshwaranagar Dosa Camp on 8th main road.

Best Served at:
Basaveshwaranagar Dosa Camp
8th main road, 3rd Phase,
Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore – 79
Landmark: Street across Gold’s Gym (on the Polar Bear Icecream lane)

A Tip: The Dosa is really filling. So, leave a good amount of space in your stomach. Starving a bit is not bad especially if done for succulent dosa.

Maddur Vada

Maddur Vada is a crunchy delight that requires a tad effort to crack; also the crackling sounds while eating has an appetizing effect. It looks like a crispy cracker, usually round in shape, but twice the size. This spicy delight contains many bits of different tastes popping out with each bite: the sharp taste of cumin, spicy chilly, sour sesame, and buttery peanut. The different tastes find a perfect background in the subtle, subdued flavour of fermented rice.

Once you have cracked its crispy crust, the silky core melts into the mouth with little effort. Dip it into tomato or coconut chutney to make it more succulent. Prefer the coconut chutney over tomato because the contrasting texture offered by coconut chutney is quite unmatched.

Want to tantalize your taste buds? Go to MTR, even at the risk of being blamed for partiality. That is because the Maddur Vada of MTR is just superb and will leave you wanting more.

Best eaten as: An evening snack

Best Served at:
MTR – MTR Locations and Timings

Two Tips:

Substitute cookies with Maddur Vada while drinking a cup of south Indian coffee. You would love it, promise!
These crispy delicacies do not spoil or get moist very easily, so better eat some and pack a few to keep on enjoying the taste of this crunchy snack whenever you have a cup of south Indian coffee or tea.

Bisi Bele Bath

This rice-lentils-vegetable cuisine is as elaborate as the name suggests. The preparation of this cuisine is detailed and comprises several steps. Eat it every other day and it will lose its appeal. So use it only to break the boring uniformity of your staple diet.

Though it uses lots of vegetables, it is far from Biriyani in taste because of the toor dal. While you eat Bisi Bele Bath, different tastes of lentil, vegetables and rice blends harmoniously with each other, giving you a distinct, fulfilling experience. Ideally, it uses no onion or garlic which means you won’t find the tangy, strong tastes interfering with your experience. It does uses tangy tamarind but the sweet jaggery mellows it down perfectly. Crispy papad, potato chips or coconut chutney act as perfect companions.

Drooling yet? Go to MTR. The place offers the best Bisi Bele Bath in the world or in South India. I can bet you won’t get better Bisi Bele Bath in Bangalore anyway.

Best served as: A filling lunch

Best Served at:
MTR – MTR Locations and Timings

Two tips:

It is quite a detailed dish that deserves appreciation with each bite. So, don’t eat it until you have the luxury of time to enjoy each moment. In short, Bele Bath is not just any other food. It is a perfect way to celebrate the occasion we call meal time.
There would be different cooks and each has his own style. So if you like the taste, make sure you know which cook made it so you can ask for the same quality every time. It is difficult but worth it.

Sweet Paniyaram

The sweet smell wafting from these porous, light weight balls called paniyaram is enough to intoxicate you. Soft and spongy as cake, they have a certain quaint taste. While the use of jaggery makes them sweet and filling, the right amount of cardamoms add a royal character to the taste. No matter whether you have eaten a good serving of rice or just plain dosa, paniyaram is the best way to conclude a meal.

Got a sweet tooth? Well, go to Chevron Hotel. It is good, soft and won’t disappoint you.

Best Served as: Dessert

Best Served at:
Chevron Hotel

Two tips:

There are many varieties of Paniyaram and you might not always get a sweet paniyaram there.
Paniyaram can be quite heavy. But as it is sweet, you might be enticed into eating more quantity that you can easily digest. So while eating Sweet Paniyaram, always make sure that you listen to your stomach rather than your heart.

The Special Someone

Caleidoscope

August 3, 2016

Author – Siddhi Sehgal

The-Special-Someone-Poem-on-Friendship — Image – Flickr/Liv Unni Sødem

Beside me, there is Someone.

When I am alone, there is Someone.

A constant companion and guide,

Someone I find always by my side.

In my sorrow, Someone cries.

There is trust, and no lies.

In my joy, Someone dances.

After every mistake, I still have chances.

Someone to care and understand,

To be my helping hand.

Upon my silly jokes, Someone laughs.

Someone is always with me on troubled paths.

The love of Someone, I cannot measure;

A relationship I treasure.

For me Someone is always there,

The one who remembers me in every prayer.

Someone who helps me grow

Patience! Even when I learn slow.

Someone lifts me up when I feel down

The reason for a smile when I frown.

Someone is walking alongside,

Footprints in footprints reside.

A constant shadow till the end

This Someone is you, my friend!

The true spirit of friendship is togetherness. One knows several people, cares for and loves several people, but the one with whom you can truly share all your joys and sorrows is your friend.

A true friend is like a copy of your parents. Like a shadow, this friend follows you at all times; even in the midst of a busy life there is always time for you. Friendship is not a give and take relation; the support is given without demanding anything in return.

Friendship day is celebrated across the world in celebration of this wonderful relationship. Different countries have different ways of celebrating this day. Gifts, cards, bouquets, chocolates, and friendship bands are exchanged among friends to show their love and affection towards each other. It is a joyous day, and a great opportunity to tell your friend what you feel about him/her; it is the day to freely express how valuable a friend is in your life. For true friends though, each day of the year is friendship day!

Happy Friendship Day to All

Saas-bahu TV serials – Is Kahaani Ka Anth Kab Hoga?

Caleidoscope

August 1, 2016

Author – Swapnil B. Pandey

Saas-bahu-TV-serials — Images – Colors TV

The other day I was watching Game of Thrones on my laptop. My mother was making tea. She placed milk on the stove and rushed back hurriedly to watch her favourite daily soap on TV. A sari-clad woman shouted at another woman.

“Parathe me namak daalna nahi aata, mere bête ka sansaar kaise chalayegi?”

I peeped at the milk on the stove. Thick foam rose. It was about to spill. I glanced back at the laptop. Jon Snow was dying. I ran and closed the gas tap. Milk settled down. Mom smiled and continued watching TV. When I came back, the war was over but I had missed the humdinger. Milk had boiled. Now, my head boiled.

Who on earth can be addicted to this stupid garbage, I thought. After a bit of web research, I was startled by the results that showed. Apparently a whole lot on earth are addicted to this garbage shown on TV.

I decided to dig deeper.

According to the TRP ratings, the following are the current Top 5 Indian TV Shows:

Naagin
Yeh Hai Mohabbatein
Saath Nibhana Saathiya
Kumkum Bhagya
Diya Aur Baati Hum

Nagin-Serial-Aada-khan — Nagin Serial on Colors TV

In this list, there is a family Saas-Bahu show, a supernatural Saas-Bahu show, a romantic Saas-Bahu show and even an action Saas-Bahu show (Yes, the protagonist of Diya Aur Baati Hum is a daughter-in-law cum police officer fighting with dangerous criminals). If you come to think of it, our serials have become like the main course from local restaurants. Kadhai Paneer, Paneer Makhanwala, Paneer Jaipuri, Paneer Butter Masala, etc. Yes, there will be a range of flavours, but there will be Paneer. Like, there will be Saas-Bahu. Always.

So, what did we do to deserve this? Let’s analyze.

The Employment Shift in India

Remember the good old Doordarshan years? The golden era of Indian Television. Shows like Buniyaad, Hum Log, Shriman Shrimati, Ye Jo Hai Zindagi provided quality entertainment seamlessly week after week. Now, if we look at the employment scenario back then, the jobs generally followed the normal shift of 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Almost like a norm, before sunset, everyone in the family was at home. After finishing the daily household chores, right from the 8:30 PM National News, every family member was glued to the TV. Sitting on beds, sofas, chairs, mats – in the order of seniority.

This allowed Doordarshan to foray into subjects which could cater to people across all genders, classes and age-groups. An elderly grandfather would love Buniyaad, his wife would like Hum Log, her son would watch Shriman Shrimati and his son in turn would be crazy about The Jungle Book. There was diversity in viewers and hence, there was diversity in TV shows.

Prerna-from-kasauti-zindagi-ki-2 — Old Serial on Start TV kasauti Zindagi Kay

This is not the case now.

Now the target is smaller than what Abhinav Bindra shot in the Beijing Olympics. A bored middle class housewife waits alone at home while her husband slogs in the office. Orshe is a mother; living in a small town, while her son/daughter works in a metro city. She waits for their calls on weekends. She is spiritless. She is lonely.

The dearth of emotions inside their homes has forced the Indian women to search for them somewhere else. They are the soft targets. Ekta Kapoor is Abhinav Bindra.

The Exaggeration of Connect

The Saas-Bahu shows use that emotional connect and inflate it to the level of mockery. But it doesn’t matter. The connect has been established. The bond has been formed. Now even if Anandi swaps her face as if she had a drum full of Poly Juice Potion or Baa looks the same after five 20 year leaps, we would watch on.

The ladies are enchanted with the world where a supposedly middle class woman adorns more jewellery than Bappi Lahiri; where the Saas is unsure whether her Bahu is a snake or a bee; where every time you turn your face, you turn it thrice, while someone bangs a drum in the background. Thrice…

Dhadan Dhadan Dhadan! Exaggeration, you ask?

The Social Media Hue And Cry

People are screaming their guts out on Facebook and Twitter pages. Memes are being made. Jokes are being passed. Quora is overflowing with questions like “Why can’t India produce a show like Game of Thrones?”Everyone wants to shut these serials down. But who are these people? Who is this everyone?

The majority of the people on social media are of the age-group 15-30. And the majority of people who watch daily soaps are of the age-group 30 and above.

So these two completely different groups don’t intersect. Two completely different points of views. The Indian youth hates the Saas-Bahu sagas. But, the Indian youth doesn’t watch TV. They watch YouTube. They binge watch pirated American sitcoms. They are on the laptop, all the time.

All India Backchod (AIB) and The Viral Fever (TVF) have been loved over the Internet. Series like Permanent Roommates and Pitchers were immensely loved by young people. But when AIB went a step and came on the television, with their original show, it didn’t work. It isn’t working.

Is there a Solution?

Oh yes, there is! Grow up, cross 30, replace the majority and then… well, don’t watch these shows. Sounds too far away? Want an immediate solution? Let me turn my face. Dhadan Dhadan Dhadan!

It is time we move over destructive social media shaming and come towards constructive motivation. Buck up the shows which dare to do something different. Encourage the makers to come up with new and innovative ideas. No problem is solved by cursing the problem. A problem is solved by a solution. Let’s come up with the solution.

But till then, whenever you go in the drawing room and spot your Mom intently watching Sasural Simar Ka, twitch your eyebrow up and think loudly like the show’s vamp.

Is kahaani ka anth kab hoga?

Is kahaani ka anth kab hoga?

A Day to Celebrate Friendship

Caleidoscope

July 29, 2016

Author – Vishal Gudlani

Friends-For-Ever — Image – SantaBanta.com

“Friendship is a symbiotic relation between two living beings nourished by love, care, understanding and trust.”

A friend is a multifaceted person.

He is a listener when I want to express my feelings.

He is an appreciator when I excel in something.

He is a criticiser when I commit an immoral deed.

He is a supporter when I need him.

He is an advisor when I reach crossroads.

He is a helping hand when I need help the most.

He is a caretaker when he takes care of me.

He is a solution book when I’m surrounded by problems

He is a rescue force when problems tend to attack me.

Yes a friend encompasses all of the above qualities. This refined understanding of friendship didn’t strike me like a bolt of lightning but it evolved with bouts of experience.

Friendship day was never a part of Indian culture. It is a foreign concept and hence I neither heard nor witnessed my parents celebrating it. The first person who introduced me to friendship day was my elder sister. I remember before the day arrived, my sister used to run towards the store and buy friendship bands for all her companions. So, the first impact on my mind was all my companions are my friends. Following my sister’s footsteps, I celebrated friendship day like she did, during my early school days.

Growing up and with time, I realized that among my companions I could connect with only a few of them. So I adopted the view that there are two kinds of friends- mere friends and best friends. And consequently, I used to buy a better and expensive friendship band for my best friend and the usual one for other friends.

Soon I got a setback when one of my friends with whom I could strongly connect, who was my friend since we were one-year-olds, suddenly disconnected the bond of friendship between us. I realized that he was there with me till he received a certain something from me. He acted just like a parasite and after getting the required nutrition, he left me (the host) emotionally wounded. At that point, I understood that everyone with whom I can strongly connect are not good; some may purposefully build a good connection for their benefit.

My faith in friendship was fading but time took upon itself the responsibility to heal me and build up the lost faith. I was eventually healed during my admission at Graduation College. An accidental encounter with a person led to friendship and he soon turned out to be my roommate and best buddy. The Almighty blessed me with him at the correct time. He had all the qualities of a good friend. After a year I got transferred but the bond of friendship binds us together. He is miles away but still a good friend today.

During the transfer too, a few accidental friendships turned out to be precious. I understood it’s not a long time of togetherness that makes a good friendship but rather a short meeting is enough to sow the seeds of friendship. I also understood that friendship never ends due to distance but flourishes if it truly involves two caring human beings.

Now, I have three kinds of friends- hi-bye friends, parasite friends and true friends. On friendship day I send a message to all of them but I really mean it for my true friends.

I have understood that a true friend is a rare jewel received by good fortune and so I have to preserve it and live for it.

To all my true friends, I want to thank you for being a part of my life and I wish you a very Happy Friendship Day.

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