The Importance of Flowers in Indian Culture and Tradition

June 9, 2022

Importance of Flowers in Indian Culture-01 — Image – Bala Sivakumar/Flickr

“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

– Hans Christian Andersen

Flowers are one of the most cherished natural gifts. There is color, brightness and delicacy that are rarely found in combination in any other natural object. Ubiquitous, yet rare, flowers can instantly bring a smile on one’s face. They can grow in the wild, as well as tamed to perfection. They can say ‘sorry’, ‘thank you’, ‘I love you’, ‘I miss you’ and so much more. And yet, despite all their exuberance and nonchalance, flowers are also intricately woven in the Indian cultural panorama.

A Garland Called Culture

When one thinks of Indian culture there is really no beginning nor end. It’s a loop of traditions and heritages that seamlessly fit into each other across regions, religions and economies. Just like a garland the culture of the land is strewn together, disseminating its core and values like a soft fragrance being carried on the edge of a breeze.

Flowers in Indian culture are placed almost delicately in all aspects. Whether it is in rituals, prayers, birth, death, matrimony or medicine, flowers carry the burden of being present and lending their vibrancy and calm. Their presence is, however, more than just physical. Floral motifs and cultural nuances related to flowers are even etched on stone. Their patterns and style are an architectural delight and have borne the testimony of time to survive as one of the most used favorites for structures all over the country.

It is no secret that flowers play a huge role in the emotional capacity and lifespan of an individual. However, they are rarely an intriguing part of a country’s culture. Moreover, their requirement is not limited to one or few occasions, but flowers are an integral part of any cultural expression across the nation.

Flowers, Prayers and Rituals

In many religions, including Hinduism flowers play a huge role in paying respect to the deities. In fact, particular flowers are offered to particular Gods and hence, hold a special significance. For example, Laxmi sits on a Lotus and Lord Vishnu is believed to be born from it. The Red Hibiscus is offered to Maa Kaali and is symbolic of her courage and rage. The Jasmine is required for prayers to Hanuman, whereas the Tulsi (both a leaf and flower) is closely connected to Lord Krishna.

Marigold flowers are often seen during the Ganapati festivities, but are also a staple during many other deity prayers too. This orange flower is a symbol of the energy of the sun and thus used in many pujas and offerings to the Gods.

Why are Flowers Offered in Prayer?

Importance of Flowers in Indian Culture — Image – Wikimedia

According to culture, mythology and belief, flowers please Gods. Just as they bring joy to mortals, Gods too cannot resist their charm. And by offering flowers, devotees find a way to make the deities happy. Also, flowers bring with them loads of positivity and since they are one of the most beautiful creations of nature, they are offered to Gods as well. In fact, the word puja is a combination of ‘pu’ meaning flowers and ‘ja’ which means chants and water.

Flowers in prayers are not only important for Hindus but they are also used by many other religions. Muslims put the phool chadar (flower carpet) on tombs, for Christian the rose and its petals have spiritual significance and the lotus is a symbol of enlightenment and purity for Buddhists.

Religious Culture and Flowers

Though religious use of flowers is constant and universal, the Indian context is also cultural. Flowers are used by different religions; however their cultural connotation lies in their usage and acceptance as a way of societal understanding even if its main purpose is religious. Perhaps, that is why, flower sellers of different religions are seen outside temples, mosques or any religious gatherings. The sense of culture thus in many cases surpasses that of religion.

Flowers at Social Functions

Besides religion, another facet that identifies itself with the culture of the land is social functions. Birth, marriages, funerals etc. though a seemingly natural progression are celebrated or observed along with social and cultural norms. Again, the way the event is played out largely depends on the regional and religious beliefs of the individuals. But flowers, as always, play a fundamental role in equalizing. For example, putting a flower garland around the bride and bridegroom is a ceremony that is a cultural constant in India. Similarly, petals are showered on the families or on the bride when she enters her new home. The wedding decorations are incomplete without flowers, just as the expression of love. Similarly, for funerals too, flowers are an essential.

Besides social functions, flowers are also used in many other cultural festivals. For example, rangolis are often made from flowers on Diwali or Onam. Rose petals are used in culinary delights, be it in sevai on Eid or the gulkand lassi in Holi.

Flowers in Home and Self décor

Now we of course, use flowers as home décor objects. They lighten up our room in vases and pots and their fragrance brings in a whiff of freshness. The same holds true when special care is taken to decorate homes during festivals or family occasions. However, besides decorating spaces, flowers are also known for enhancing personal beauty. Women in India adorn a gajra or flower bunch around their hair. The gajra is a garland of flowers that is traditionally worn by women of South Asia, especially India. In fact, the gajra is a part of the attire for many classical dances across the nation.

Women, especially in south India, wear a string of flowers, if not a bunch practically every day. It could be either jasmine, mogra, rose or any other, the lace of flowers or even a single flower looks regal and is a fashion statement that is in its own league. Studies have revealed that different flowers also have various benefits, such as reduced hair fall, scalp enrichment and also relief from headache, sore eyes and more.

Flowers in Health, Food and Medicine

The Importance of Flowers in Indian Culture- Health, food and medicine — Image- Thangaraj Kumaravel /Flickr

The mystics of Ayurveda are now a world renowned practice. A lot of people follow Ayurveda to heal and cure from various ailments. Flowers play a big role here too. In fact, there are many medicinal flowers that are used traditionally over generations. Tulsi, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Marigold, Blue Pea and more are flowers known for their medicinal worth and also used in Ayurveda.

Flowers-in-Indian-Culture-Ayurveda — Image – Wikimedia

Certain flowers are also known for their health benefits and are used in cooking as well. Hibiscus helps reduce bad cholesterol, rose petals help treat menstrual and digestive disorders, banana blossoms, a common food in southern India is known for its many health benefits. Edible flowers contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that bring health and taste into your diet.

Flower in Art and Designs

The Importance of Flowers in Indian Culture- Art and designs — Image –Wikimedia

Floral patterns are an artistic hit everywhere in the world. Similarly, in Indian architecture, whether the structures are national, regional or created by dynasties of erstwhile eras, flower designs are used in various forms. In paintings, sculptures, sketches, motifs, stories, folklore and more, flowers are an innate part of cultural tales and history.

The Flower Economy in India

Importance of Flowers in Indian Economy — Flower market at Chickpet, Bengaluru – Koshy Koshy/Flickr

Flowers by themselves are a vital wheel of the economy. In many European countries, for example, flower markets are a main attraction. In India too, flowers have a commercial angle as well. Besides the aesthetics, the flowers are a source of livelihood for many, either through direct or indirect employment. The chain begins from those growing the flowers and ends at the final consumers. But in the cultural milieu flowers hold a slightly special corner in our hearts when compared to any other products. Florists are usually the main outlets. But then there are decorators, stalls outside places of worship, funeral grounds etc. And then there are those hundreds of women who one sees on roadsides or on bus stops threading the white lilies or jasmines. Their deft hands move in speed as they create one after the other and then stall them up for sale.

Flowers are so common and all around us, that we rarely stop and truly appreciate or understand their influence on our lives. Woven beautifully in a culture that is so varied in itself, flowers add the perfect allure to brighten up our societal sensibilities. So the next time you come across a wild or domesticated beauty, or pass by rows of vivid colors in fields, let a thought make a little place in your heart. These delicate beauties have a meaning and significance that is not only limited to natural environments. In fact, its presence adds magnificence to our emotions, cultures and heritages too.

Kolkata – Rediscovering My Hometown in the Time of the Pandemic

Sriparna Samajdar

June 8, 2022

The most exciting thing that can happen to a bong child staying outside of West Bengal, as we call it Probashi Bangali, is waiting for summer vacations and Durga Puja holidays when your parents take you to Kolkata. Since childhood itself, Kolkata had always fascinated me and I had found it interesting not just because it was my hometown. Rather because I had always found a personality in the city. Obsession with phuchka, love for art, music, communist ideologies, neighbourhood football match are just to name a few. If people were to ask me how I would describe the city’s pulse, I would sum it up with the movie title, mach, mishti and more. But all I knew of my parent’s hometown were in short pauses from my routine school life. Then came undergrad college where I lived in the city for 3 years, yet I never got the chance to explore the city and catch it by its breath.

Then the collective gloom dawned upon humankind as the pandemic turned our lives upside down. I returned to my hometown only to know it better on my terms, one day at a time.

And, this two-year refuge in this oddball of a city, which I call my hometown, has given me a chance to rediscover it again at a period in my life where maybe this was what my young adult self needed to find a nest of familiarity and comfort.

Exploring the history of Synagogues and Jewish Community

Rediscovering-My-Hometown-Kolkata-01 — Synagogue, Kolkata

How little does one know of the history behind the beautiful things that you nonchalantly routinely pass off? I have passed a red-coloured European architectural tower resembling that of a Church in the Bara Bazar area many times. But little did I know of the historical significance behind it.

Kolkata is a potpourri of culture. Among such cultural heritage in the city, lies that of Synagogues and the Jewish community. Magen David Synagogue, constructed in 1884, was the first synagogue established in Kolkata after the Baghdadi Jews settled in the city in return for business opportunities. As the Jewish community rose to prominence with their unforgettable contributions to society, they built Asia’s most ornate and largest synagogue in the Italian Renaissance style and it’s a treat to the eyes to look at. The floral pillars, stained Belgian glass, wooden sitting benches imported from Glasgow carved in it, are any architectural lover’s paradise.

A slice of ‘Midnight in Paris’ in the old French colony of Chandannagar

Rediscovering-My-Hometown-Kolkata-03 — Chandannagar Strand

Lying at a one-and-a-half-hour car ride away from Kolkata, once a thriving French colony during British Rule, Chandannagar now lays back and enjoys the attention it gets from travelers and explorers, who visit it for a quaint escape from Calcutta’s cacophony. Hooghly flows by the city and a deck of colonial buildings who had passed the test of time adorns a long street called ‘Strand’. Walking in the strand glittering with antique street lights by the riverside reminds you nothing short of the iconic scenes from ‘Midnight In Paris’. The quaint alleys, the French-inspired bungalows, and mansion, iconic sweet shops are resplendent to experience. This elegant town is extremely slow-paced which soothes you like a lullaby. Time stands still by the river if you witness the transition of a day to dusk, reminding you to take a break and softly listen to your heart sitting by the river and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

An early morning stroll in Kumartuli during Pujo

Rediscovering-My-Hometown-Kolkata-04 — Kumartuli

Durga Pujo is the nucleus of Kolkata and Bengalis. As I have grown up in a small town outside of West Bengal, I had never really got to witness the Goddess during the making before Pujo. Come to the fun-filled, merry-making auspicious celebration of Pujo, I had only seen the Goddess once it’s complete. I had always heard tales from my mom that the idol-makers draw the Durga’s eyes, which marks the event of ‘Chokkudan’ (bestowing eyes) right before the beginning of the Pujo, ‘Mahalaya’.

Taking advantage of being in the city before the grand celebration of the year, one fine morning I set out to explore the lanes of Kumartuli. The name is derived from the age-old practice that the artisans started in these North Kolkata lanes as ‘Kumor’ means potter and ‘tuli’ represents any small space in native Bengali. Generations after generations of the artisans’ families are in this business of idol-making. The place is also ideal for the idol-makers to settle here since the days of yore as it lies close to Bagbazar ghat and the clay required for the making is easily borrowed from there, locally called as ‘Ganga Mati’. I asked one of the artisans, who was concentrating on moulding the shape of one idol, if most of the idols in his shop are sold this year. He proudly said that all are sold and most are going to bidesh (abroad) because of NRI demands. It is unruly to watch humans giving shape to the Goddess out of clay, mud, and straws. There are also shops selling many décor pieces and embellishments for the idols. Not only Durga Pujo, but Kali Pujo, Laxmi Pujo are all busy times for all the workshops nestled in the lanes of Kumartuli.

Lazy walking in Maidan and Victoria

Rediscovering-My-Hometown-Kolkata-02 — Victoria Memorial

Because of the pandemic and lockdown-induced days, with fewer people on the road, it always felt like the city was all mine to explore, all mine to experience. And, maybe because of fewer distractions, I was able to notice and listen more. Like if you take an evening walk on the city’s roads right before dawn, no matter which corner of the city you are at, the shrill sound of conch shells blown at every house on every street at almost the same time, is a ritual you will get to witness. Like a secret truth binding two people together, this small ritual binds every house here in each corner of the city.

Rediscovering-My-Hometown-Kolkata-05 — Maidan

The city’s conundrum of whirling emotions and moods, of office-goers, of cha sessions, is at its peak in the morning till afternoon, it fades slowly in the evening as Rabindra Sangeet plays at the loudspeakers in Maidan. Many colourful blooms like red and pink bougainvillea form a lush oasis of trees in the wide well-maintained lawns inside the locality of Victoria.

While you leisurely step out in Maidan, you notice the kids who were playing football have finished their match and are now heading home, parents with their pets waltz in for a quick stroll, lovers sneak in for the moon-lit pathos, hand-in-hand, arms-in-arms, masks in place with sheepish smiles of wild pursuits.

…and this is a land of magical sunsets

Rediscovering-My-Hometown-Kolkata-06 — Roychak Sunset

Each sunset in the city has its own charm. The sunset in Princep Ghat turns the sky soft lilac, the sunset in Rabindra Sarobar lake is a soft dewy calming you down, while the sunset in Eco Park is pristine and melodramatic to witness.

There are innumerable hidden stories to tell about the city of joy and unspoken sweetness to be discovered in the alleys of this city of ageless romance that one can never get enough of in one lifetime. But maybe, for now, catching magical sunsets of myriad colours is the best one can come across to loving the city a little more.

Tanjore Painting – A Timeless Spiritual Legacy

Tasneem Sariya

June 8, 2022

Indian art forms are renowned for their precision and detail, their regional reflections and the sheer magnificence of talent and skill. Indian paintings are wonderful art forms that mark their presence in the global environment because of their content, style and a bearing on the culture of the region.

Of course there are many renowned individual painters who stand out with their style, skill and are institutions in the art form itself. However, there are a wide range of paintings that are characterized by anonymous artists who have stroked brushes of imagination and colors to create magic. These artists and painters are usually nameless, faceless and their work reflects the social, economic and religious perspectives of the region that they hail from. And thus one can think of Warli, Phad, Madhubani, Miniature Paintings and many more paintings that have become schools in themselves, explored and practiced by the group of artists who were a community using their paintings as means to educate, to record and to worship.

About-Tanjore-Painting — Image – B Balaji/Flickr

One such school of painting, called the Tanjore paintings finds its origins in South India and flourished under the patronage of the Vijayanagar and Maratha royals. The content of these paintings centered on depiction of gods and goddesses and stories from religious epics, such as Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Tanjore Paintings thus like many other forms of painting in India reflects the culture of the community and their beliefs and was practiced by artist who passed down their art from one generation to another.

Tanjore-Painting Brihadishvara Temple — Brihadeshwara temple, Thanjavur

The houses around the Brihadeshwara temple (where the 11th century Chola painting is seen) in Thanjavur (Tanjore) are great examples of how this art has been preserved over the years. The key is the detailing, method and content of the paintings that differentiate the Tanjore paintings from others. Over the years the paintings have evolved, however, contemporary Tanjore paintings still hold on to the principal values of its ancient predecessors.

History of Tanjore Paintings

Originated in the town of Thanjavur or Tanjore, this art form can be traced back to 1600 AD when the Nayakas under the patronage of the Vijayanagara Rayas encouraged this form of painting that revolved around Hindu religious subjects and were mainly used in temples and places of worship. The Marathas took over after the fall of the Vijayanagara dynasty and their influence was seen on the subsequent Tanjore paintings. The artists now began painting not only for temples, but also decorating palaces, buildings and residences of the Maratha kings. Under the reign of Serfojii Bhonsale II the art form peaked. After the fall of the Maratha kingdom the Chettiar community continued to back the Tanjore artists and their belief in Shiva saw an increase in Shiv related paintings. Post the Anglo-Mysore wars the British also encouraged the Tanjore artists. The Raju community of Thanjavur and Trichy were best known for creating great masterpieces.

Method of Tanjore Paintings

Tanjore paintings are made in different sizes and subjects depending on the patrons. A Tanjore painting is usually made on canvas which is pasted on a plank. The canvas is evenly coated and a paste prepared for the Gesso work. After an initial sketch natural dyes and colors were used as paints however this has changed over the years with the usage of synthetic colors and adhesives.

The main characteristics of a Tanjore painting include rich vivid colors, gold foils and an embedded inlay work of either glass or precious stones and glittering gold. The usage of valuable stones and gold within the painting is perhaps the highlight and the most distinguishing aspect of the Tanjore paintings. The glitter of the material gives the painting a glow of illumination even in darkness.

Style and Content of Tanjore Paintings

Most Tanjore paintings consist of one main deity figure with a rounded face and almond shaped eyes. The main deity is enclosed within curtains or arches and the gold leaves and gems are usually used in selected paint areas such as, the arches, thrones, pillars, dresses and so on. The European influence is seen in the miniature angels and seraphs seen around the main figures. In many paintings, Sikh, Muslim and Jain subjects have also been found.

The Tanjore paintings are still popular in South India and used in many homes as home décor, for gifting purposes or in the prayer rooms. A few prominent artists have also emerged such as, C. Kondiah Raju the famous calendar artist, a descendant from the illustrious Raju community of Tanjore painters.

Tanjore-Painting-in-Tanjore-Palace — Tanjore paintings in Tanjore Palace – Balaji Venkatesh/Flickr

The Government of India recognized Tanjore paintings as a Geographical Indication in 2007-08 thus adding more weight in the preservation and growth of the art form.

The Tanjore paintings are an important jewel in the shining treasures of Indian art forms. Its legacy, history and style make it a glorious part of renowned painting forms across the world. However, its true essence lies in the fact that it is embedded in the culture and spirit of southern India making it as much as an essential part of the art galleries as temples and homes.

The Story of Madhava and Kandala in Miniature Paintings

Soma Ghosh

June 6, 2022

Miniature-painting-Women-in-trance-listening-to-Madhava's-music — A group of women in a trance before Madhava, from Bilaspur, dated to circa 1690. Wikimedia

#Didyouknow that an ancient love story, initially in oral form, later composed in Sanskrit verse and prose, has been illustrated in Indian miniature painting? We are talking here of the story of Madhavanala and Kamakandala. This story has been in circulation since the 12th century. Madhava was a handsome and accomplished young man from Pushpavati in Central India. He was very talented and the music of his vina managed to mesmerise people, especially women and kept them away from work, hence he gets called by the king Govindachandra who wants to check his talent. Madhava can also chant beautifully. He impresses the king but his queen is also too enthralled by this young man’s performance. The king is not very happy with this and he banishes Madhava from his kingdom. Madhava then reaches the court of King Kama Sena, the ruler of Kamavati. There he watches the bewitching courtesan Kamakandala performing. The two fall in love, but royal politics ensures that the lovers part. What happens next?

This very interesting love story of Madhava and Kandala has not only been translated but illustrated as well by artists from Pahari and Rajasthani Schools of Indian painting. Let us check out more details and paintings from this fascinating tale of yore.

Miniature-painting-Women-listening-to-Madhava's-vina-near-a-well — Madhava plays his *vina* before five women drawing water from a well, from Bilaspur, dated to circa 1700. Wikimedia

The oldest recorded manuscript of the story is dated to Samvat 542 (Nepal era), around circa 1422 A.D, housed in the Durbar Library of Nepal. There are 43 other Sanskrit manuscripts dating from 16th to 19th century and are housed across different libraries in places like Thanjavur, Pune and Varanasi. It has been called a katha, meaning story and nataka katha which indicates that this story has been used as a play as well. The author of the composition is not very clear, only 14 manuscripts mention the names of Vidyapati, Kavishvara and Kanakasundara.

Miniature-painting Madhava enthralls the court of King Govinda-chandra with his music — Madhava enthralls the court of King Govinda-chandra with his music, painting from Mandi or Guler, dated to circa 1845. Wikimedia

As already narrated, once banished from his home city, Madhava goes to the city of Kamavati where he sees a courtesan dancing in the court of Kama Sena, the ruler and is smitten with her. He himself impresses the ruler with his knowledge of music, and is given gifts by the king. He, however gifts the same to Kandala. Seeing this the ruler, feels insulted and banishes him from the court of Kamavati.

The most popular version of the romance during the 17th century was a Hindi text by the poet Alam (fl. 1658–1703) in which Madhava does not actually faint at the sight of his beloved. Several paintings exist in which the artists depict him so overcome with feeling that he collapses. Depicted here is a painting from Mewar of Madhav swooning at the sight of Kandala, attributed to artist Chokha. The paintings are generally from a ‘Madhavanala Kamakandala’ series from different schools. Bilaspur School seems to dominate on illustrations to this story.

Story-of-Madhava-and-Kandala-in-Miniature-painting — Left – Swooning at the sight of the beautiful Kamakandala, by artist Chokha, from Mewar, dated to circa 1785. Wikimedia. Right – Madhava and Kamakandala meet in the forest, dated to circa 1610, probably Bilaspur, San Diego Museum of Art, U S A. Wikimedia

However, Madhava meets Kandala and goes to her house who also is smitten with him. They spend the night in amorous conduct and impressing each other with games and puzzles. Madhava has to leave the next morning and Kandala is distressed. They send messages full of longing to each other as Madhava moves from place to place. Finally, he come to Ujjayini and takes shelter in the temple of Mahakala. He inscribes in verse the pain and agony of separation from Kanadala on the walls of the temple.

The verses written by Madhava are seen by King Vikramaditya. But the king wants to check for himself whether Madhava really is in love with Kandala. He locates Madhava with the help of a courtesan, and Madhava is told by the king that Kandala is dead.

Miniature-painting-Madhava in a tent before King Vikramaditya, from Bilaspur. dated to 1690 — Madhava in a tent before King Vikramaditya, from Bilaspur. dated to 1690. Wikimedia

On hearing this Madhava too dies. Learning about her lover’s demise Kandala swoons and dies as well. The king is very upset and contemplates suicide himself. But the familiar spirit Betal comes to the rescue. He brings the nectar of immortality and brings both Madhava and Kandala to life! King Vikramaditya asks the king of Kamavati to release Kandala and this happens only after a battle.

Miniature-painting Kandala faints on hearing bad news, from Bilaspur, dated to circa 1700. Wikimedia

Both Madhava and Kandala go back with him to Ujjayini and lead a life together. The King Vikramaditya engages Madhava in services at his court. Thus, we see a happy ending to a unique love story.

References –

Haskar, A N D, tr./Madhav and Kama: a story from ancient India, New Delhi: Roli Books, 2006.
https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/publications/eastern-encounters/madhava-nal-enraptured-at-the-sight-of-kama (accessed on 28.05.2022)

Inspiring and Successful Children Who Made India Proud

Rupsha Sen

May 31, 2022

Children are the future. However, as adults we often tend to underestimate their talent and potential. We brush them aside as being too naïve or inexperienced. Yet, there are some children who have inspired and achieved more than their age. Their inborn talent and hard work coupled with the innocent view of the world has helped them reach towering heights. And it is these children who have made India proud.

Looking over the last decade or so, there are various kids who have excelled in education, sports, business and more. These children have shown great maturity and have not been intimidated by the attention and adulation.

Child prodigies

There is a fine line when it comes to children achieving great things. Some might argue that their childhood doesn’t remain the same. Kids in show business or sports often have to deal with mental and emotional adjustments when they grow up. For example, the little Budhia Singh who came to the spotlight for his marathon runs faded away due to unfortunate events off the field. Recently, through social media he is being recognized again and said to be preparing for the 2024 Olympics. But his case is a classic example of how talented children often lose their way due to lack of support and genuineness.

However, there is the other side to the coin too. When kids venture into an interest on their own accord then the results are usually positive. However, when they are pushed or forced into, it leads to them getting confused and disarrayed.

And hence, one cannot neglect the talent that some kids have. If not nurtured or acknowledged they might find it hard to develop it further. On the other hand, there are children who are inspirational not necessarily because of their skill. But it is their sense of humanity, inclusivity and trying to truly make the world a better place that makes them special.

Thus, we bring to you some of the most inspiring and truly gifted children that have made India proud.

Kautilya Pandit

With an IQ of 150, Kautilya is also called the Google boy. Known for his astounding intelligence and grasping power he has also featured on KBC. He has won the Global Child Prodigy award in 2020 and is also referred to as the human computer. With his exemplary general knowledge and information about current affairs, Kautilya is a wonder kid.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa

R Praggnanandhaa became the youngest international chess master at the age of 10 in the history of the game. He is also the fifth-youngest to achieve the Grandmaster title in the world. With various wins under his belt, Prag (as fondly called) started playing when he was merely three and half. His sister Vaishali was enrolled into a chess academy and watching her practice at home is what caught Prag’s attention. He insisted her sister teach her the game, a surprising feat as even the world’s best, such as Viswanathan Anand started playing chess at the age of six.

Lydian Nadhaswaram

This young boy became the first Indian musician to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. A student from KM Music Conservatory, founded by AR Rahman, Lydian is the winner of the CBS Global Talent Show. He started playing the drums when two years old and learned the piano on his own by eight years of age.

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep is a wildlife photographer who won the 2018 Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Asia when he was ten years old. He won the prestigious award with the photograph of owlets looking out of a waste pipe. His love for the camera began at the age of five when he started clicking with his father. He was also given the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2020.

Nihal Raj

This young chef from Kerala is also known as Little Chef Kicha. With his YouTube channel garnering several views he keeps posting new recipes. However, the recipe that catapulted him to fame was his very own creation the Mickey Mouse Mango Ice Cream. He is a chef with a golden heart too, as he donated some of his earnings to autistic children.

Master Truptraj Pandya

Master Truptraj Pandya holds the Guinness World Record of being the youngest table player in the world. He started playing it when he was only one and half years old and at the age of two he held his first live performance at Somaiya College in Mumbai. At three he played live at All India Radio and at four for Doordarshan.

Priyanshi Somani

The youngest human calculator and the winner of Mental Calculation World Cup 2010, Priyanshi is a math wizard. A national champion at abacus she is the youngest person to win the competition at the age of eleven. Her love for mental math began at the age of six and has continued from there. She has also been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records and the Limca Book of World Records.

The social change makers

Here are some children who have a social difference.

Licypriya Kangujam

This young climate change activist from Manipur was one of the youngest speakers at the United Nations Framework Convention in 2019. She was only eight then. At six years old, she was attending protests and meetings centered on climate change. She came into the limelight when she protested outside the parliament to gain the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on climate matters. She continues to spread the word through her social media etc.

Babar Ali

At nine years of age Babar was not only going to school but also headmaster of his own school. From a village in Murshidabad, West Bengal Babar began his school under a tree, first with only eight students. He would teach them after his school hours coupled with his travel time from school to his village. Today Babar is no longer a young kid but his school Ananda Siksha Niketan has more than 300 students.

Gitanjali Rao

An Indian-American, Gitanjali is the first ‘Kid of the year’ and on the cover of the TIME Magazine. She is responsible for six innovations that dwell on social issues, such as detecting harmful chemicals in water, checking the medication intake of patients, identifying cyber bullying and more.

Aryan Gulati

Aryan has developed an application that can detect lung disorders and COLD virus in five seconds. He has been awarded the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Ideathon Prize. LungAI can detect lung related disorders, including lung cancer with an accuracy of 90%.

Souradeep Sarkar

At eight years old, Souradeep created Dyslexia, an app that helps kids with dyslexia. Moved by the struggle dyslexic children have in studying, Souradeep developed his app to make learning fun and easy for them. He created Dyslexia while learning how to code.

Arav Hak and Rajveer Mehta

Both these boys hailing from Mumbai have raised funds and awareness for cancer patients. Their work includes raising funds for kids with cancer and they also played a big role in collecting funds and food for the underprivileged during the 2020 lockdown. They work in association with the Nargis Dutt Foundation and have been instrumental in providing cancer kits for patients who are diagnosed with the deadly disease.

The list can go on. The children of Gujarat who gave up their piggy bank money towards COVID relief funds, or Gayatri who made all possible efforts to call for help to reach her village during the lockdown. There was Subhendu Kumar who created a Gift for Farmers through an innovation that helped them in sowing, tilling and more. Or Kumar Gaurav who mortgaged his house to continue playing chess, Kartik Sawhney the visually impaired student who made it to Stanford. Anika Chebrolu whose research could provide treatment for COVID or Advait Kolarkar who held art exhibitions when he was two. There are many such children, some who have now become young adults and some who are still on the threshold of childhood. Yet, all these children have shown us that age is just a number when it comes to aspiring and achieving goals that seem impossible and undoable. From children we learn the art of innocent and unadulterated hard work and dedication.

Here is wishing that each child finds his or her true passion and belief. That each child has a happy and fulfilled childhood where they are given the chance to explore, question and better their lives and that of others.

27 Must Try Dishes from Karnataka Traditional Food for Your Taste Buds

Rucha Katekar

May 26, 2022

Karnataka-Traditional-Food — Image – Harsha K R/Flickr

If there is anything that two completely diametrically opposite people can bond over, it is highly likely to be food. We live in a world where food is consumed not because it is a necessity, but because it is a hobby. And why not? How many times have we indulged in a plate of paani puri to elevate our day, and when the clouds pour down, the first thing we Indians do is prepare a steaming hot cup of chai. Any foodie would know that Karnataka is a land of age-old, traditional recipes. These mouth-watering dishes are one of the best attractions that tourists seek whenever they visit Karnataka. However, while the famous vada-sambar is certainly appealing, there are several less-known and equally interesting dishes that are heavenly. Here are the best dishes from Karnataka traditional food that will make you ache for more:

1. Mavinkai Chutney

Best Food from Karnataka-Mavinakai Chutney — Image/Sameer Goyal/Flickr

Packed with deliciousness, with just the right amount of spices, this unique chutney is prepared from unripe mangoes. It is typically served with your trusty idli, dosa, paratha, or rice as a part of the main course meal. This is a seasonal delight that is made in several households during the much-anticipated mango season. A tangy addition to your meal, this chutney is a must-try if you’re in Karnataka!

2. Gojju

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Gojju — Image/Wikimedia

Gojju is a vegetarian side dish served as a part of the main course. Although there are several variations to this recipe, the common ones are made from okra, mango, pineapples, etc. This dish is simple to make and is less time-consuming.

3. Chigli Chutney

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Chigli-Chutney — Image Courtesy – Foodlovers.in

Exclusively made in Malnad, this chutney is prepared from red fire ants. Yes, red fire ants! This unique and classic chutney adds a tint of fire to your plate due to its spicy nature. It is an excellent source of protein in the winter. Moreover, it is even believed to relieve cough, cold, and pneumonia. The Chigli Chutney is usually eaten with rice rotis as an accomplishment. Brave enough to try this dish?

4. Halasina Yele Chilmi

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Halasina-Yele-Chilmi — Image Courtesy – Karnataka Tourism/FB

This fun and exotic dish is something we would all look forward to! Halasina Yele Chilmi is a sweet dish found on the Canara coast. It is made with coconut, jaggery, and rice paste. The steamed delicacy is shaped into cones made up of jackfruit leaves. Along with having a sweet taste and being packed with deliciousness, Halasana Yele Chilmi is also visually attractive. Try not to grab one if it’s placed in front of you, will you?

5. Chow Chow Bhath

Karnataka-Traditional-Food Chow Chow bath — Image/Wikimedia

A boon of sweet and spice; this rice dish is for those people who are torn between their love for sweet and spicy. Chow Chow Bhath is a splendid dish consisting of Kesari bath and Khara Bhath on the same plate. While the Khara bath provides a salty and spicy blend, the Kesari bath is a sweet addition to the dish. This is a breakfast recipe, also popular in Bangalore.

6. Korri Gassi

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Korri Gassi — Image/Wikimedia

The epitome of deliciousness, Korri Gassi is a chicken delight from Mangalore (south of Karnataka). Korri translates to chicken and gassi means curry. As the name suggests, this is a chicken curry made from tamarind, tomatoes, coconut milk along with a masala prepared from a variety of added ingredients such as garlic, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, etc. This dish is great for any non-veg lover out there.

7. Sungta Song

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Sungta-01 — Image – RovingI/Flickr

Can you imagine a dish so grand, it is given the title of a song? Sungta translates to the song. This special dish is a thick prawn’s curry made with onions, tomato masala, and garnished with coriander and some zingy lemons. It is, without a doubt, extremely unique and one of a kind in Karnataka.

8. Mandige

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Mandige-01 — Image Source

The star of Belgaum, (Also prepared in Maharashtra) Mandige is a special sweet that marks its presence as it is served in Brahmin weddings and during festivals as the traditional ‘prashad’. Mandige is a sort of flaky crepe filled with sugar, ghee, and khoa. The origins of this dish remain unclear to date. To cook this complex recipe, cooks usually work in the early hours of the morning. Once the dish is prepared, each piece is carefully packed and stored in baskets. The most appealing site, indeed!

9. Kalees Ankiti

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Kalees-Ankiti — Image Courtesy – Pots & Treats (Mangalorean)/Youtube

Heaven for any non – vegetarian, Kalees Ankiti means liver intestines. It is a rare dish that contains pig liver, intestines, etc. Since Kalees Ankiti is extremely difficult and time-consuming to cook, hence it is not easily found in Karnataka.

10. Kismuri

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Kismuri-02 — Image Source

A sharp contrast to Kalees Ankiti, Kismuri is a kind of salad that contains beetroot, yam, banana stem, and carrots. These vegetables are boiled and mixed with several ingredients such as urad daal, onions, yogurt, etc. Served with fried papad on top, this delicacy is a reserve of nourishment for the body.

11. Karadantu

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-karadantu — Image –Milaap.org /Flickr

Found only in Karnataka, this sweet delicacy is a fried-edible gum, made by mixing edible gum with jaggery, almonds, fig, pistachios, cashews, and numerous other nuts and seeds. One may even call Karadantu the Indian version of an energy bar. It is usually recommended for women after their pregnancy and is also prepared during festivities and celebrations.

12. Allugedde

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Allugedde-01 — Image Source

The famed mashed potatoes recipe from Karnataka, Allugedda is prepared from tomato, black gram, onion, and green chilies. It is served as a side dish alongside dosa, rice, or even as snacks with a preferred beverage.

13. Lamb Blood Fry

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Lamb-Blood-Fry-01 — Image – Wikimedia

Rakti is one bloody dish!. Literally. The dish of a Hindu martial caste, Saujis, who claim to be the descendants of king Sahasrarjuna, Rakti is made during Dasara and is widely eaten with Jowar rotis. This dish is made with meat, spice, and, well, blood. Not for the faint of heart!

14. Mysore Masala Dosa

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Mysore Masala Dosa — Image/Garrett Zeigler/Flickr

The most common and well-known dish in Karnataka, the Mysore Masala Dosa is something every Indian adores! The red chutney smeared on top, classic sambhar, and ghee is a true South Indian delight. Any foodie would agree – this dish is undoubtedly the way to go when you’re craving a low-calorie snack and when you aren’t willing to compromise on taste!

15. Kane Rawa Fry

Karnataka-Traditional-Food Kane Rava Fry — Image/Charles Haynes/Flickr

The specialty of Mangalore, this fish curry is one of the best seafood you’ll come across in Karnataka. Kane Rawa Fry consists of Lady Fish being mixed in a red chili paste and being fried to attain a golden-ish hue. A tangy sight to behold, this dish is crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

16. Neer Dosa

Karnataka-Traditional-Food Neer Dosa — Image/Wikimedia

Anything which has ‘dosa’ in it is always something delicious and you know it! Relish in these fluffy, soft, and tasty crepes to elevate your taste buds. Neer dosa means water dosas due to the watery and liquid nature of the batter as opposed to the usual thick dosa batter. Due to their light and soft nature, these dosas are eaten with chutney for breakfast. Indeed, Neer Dosas are one of the best and easy-to-make snacks of all time!

17. Halbai

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Halbai-01 — Image Source

Adding to our list of Karnataka’s sweet dishes is the appetizing Halbai. This wonderful sweet is famously prepared during the Nagarpanchami festival. It is prepared from ingredients such as jaggery, rice, and coconuts. This ‘rice halwa’ is is extremely simple to make and is a favorite among the children as well as the elders.

18. Mangalore Buns

This circular treat belongs to the Udupi cuisine of Karnataka. Made from banana and flour, these buns or pooris are mildly sweet and extremely soft. This dish is commonly eaten for snacks and breakfast along with idli-dosa. The thick texture and flaky insides of the bun are what make them so attractive.

19. Kadle Manoli

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Kadle-Manoli-02 — Image Source

Another classic from Mangalore, the manoli or Tendli, is a vegetarian recipe famous for its magnificent taste. It is prepared by combing manoli, kadle, and coconut to add flavor. Although it takes a relatively longer amount of time to prepare this dish, I can assure you that it is worth every effort!

20. Mysore Bonda

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Mysore Bonda — Image/Gopal Krishna/Pixahive

Also known as Ulundu Bonda, this is a popular fried delicacy that originated in Mysore. To provide a good texture to the bonda, fresh pieces of coconuts are added to the batter. This also makes it tastier and more appealing. This dish is eaten all over Mysore as a snack by all age groups.

21. Thatte Idli

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Thatte-Idli — Image – Solarisgirl/Flickr

Thatte Idli is a prominent Idli variety (rice cake). This idli is bigger in diameter and thickness than conventional idli and gets its name from the round disc type basin in which it is produced. Bidadi, a Bengaluru industrial area, is well-known for its bisi (hot) thatte idli. Of course, Bengaluru isn’t the only town in Karnataka that can claim ownership of the thatte idli; Tumakuru (former22ly Tumkur), located less than two hours from Bengaluru, is also famous for its thatte idli.

22. Ennegayi

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Ennegayi — Image – Savitha Ak/FB

Badanekayi ennegayi, also known as thumbida badanekayi, is a traditional North Karnataka curry dish. Jowar roti (jolada rotti) or chapati is the most common accompaniment to ennegayi. Small purple brinjals, onion, coconut, peanuts, sesame seeds, and a variety of additional spices are used to make delicious ennegayi or stuffed brinjal.

This dish is known in Kannada as ennegayi or thumbida badanekayi. In Kannada, the word “enne” means “oil.” Because brinjal or badanekayi is cooked in oil over low heat, it is known as ennegayi. In Kannada, the word “thumbida” means “stuffed.”

23. Bisi Bele Bath

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Bisi-Bele-Bath — Image – Deevi’s Kitchen/FB

Bisi bele bath is a traditional meal from the Indian state of Karnataka. In English, Bisi bele bath means “hot lentil rice dish.” “Bisi” is a Kannada term that means “Hot” (temperature), “Bele” means “Lentils” and “Bath” means “gooey dish cooked by immersing the ingredients in water”

This gooey delicacy, tempered with pure ghee, is incredibly tasty and popular in Karnataka’s eateries and tiffin centres.

Bisi bele bath is a common dish prepared in many Karnataka families. As a result, each family may have a unique recipe that incorporates a variety of components. Most variants start with short-grain rice, toor dal, tamarind, jaggery, carrots, peas, beans, bell peppers, and bisi bele bath pudi.

24. Jolada Rotti

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Jolada-Rotti — Image – Prathap Uppi/FB

Sorghum bread is known as Jolada Rotti. Jolada Rotti is a traditional North Karnataka dish that you must sample if you visit the state. Sorghum bicolor is used to make Jolada rotti, an unleavened Indian bread. It has a rougher texture than a roti. In terms of hardness, it can be soft or firm in texture, similar to a khakhra or cracker. Jowar rotti, which literally translates to “sorghum bread,” is also known as jawarichi Bhakri in adjacent Maharastra. Jolada rotti is a staple food in most of North Karnataka’s regions, where it’s served with pulse curries like jhunka, enne gai, Shengdana Chutney, and other chutnies.

25. Chitranna

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Chitranna — Image – Su-lin/Flickr

In Karnataka, Chitranna (Lemon Rice) is a famous rice-based cuisine. Chitranna is a simple dish to prepare and is readily accessible at affordable pricing. If you need to make something quickly for lunch or supper, this is a fantastic alternative. It’s made by combining cooked rice with a seasoning known as Oggarane or Gojju. Mustard seeds, fried lentils, peanuts, curry leaves, chillies, lemon juice, and other optional things such as scrapes of unripe mango make up the flavouring. Chitranna’s yellow hue is due to the use of turmeric powder. Some people season with garlic and onions, even though they aren’t usually part of the dish. The dish is particularly famous in the Indian state of Karnataka, where it has become a staple of the local cuisine.

26. Maddur Vada

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Maddur-Vada — Image – Aturquoisecloud

Maddur Vada (also known as Maddur Vade) is a crispy savoury snack from Karnataka made of rice flour, semolina, and all-purpose flour, as well as onions, curry leaves, and green chilies, and eaten with coconut chutney. On the exterior, they’re crispy, yet on the inside, they’re soft.
The name of this dish comes from a little village named Maddur, which is located between Bangalore and Mysore.
These Vadas require no soaking or grinding and can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. It’s a great party appetiser or something to eat on a wet day.

27. Chiroti

Karnataka-Traditional-Food-Chiroti — Image – Bunts Recipe/FB

Chiroti, also known as Chirote, is a traditional Karnataka and Maharashtra delicacy. It is also well-known in portions of Telangana. Particularly in the Nalgonda areas. Pheni/Peni is the name given to it in this region. On exceptional events, such as a festival or a wedding, it is offered as a dessert. It’s produced by forming stacked circular forms out of kneaded maida dough and deep frying them in ghee or refined oil. The end result is a semi-golden brown fluffy poori that is lavishly dusted with powdered sugar and possibly shredded almonds and cashews.

After going through an entire list of dishes found in Karnataka, any person would be more than thrilled to pack their bags and pay a visit to this reservoir of great food! Such delicious cuisines are only a part of the rich heritage of India, with loads more to explore. So now, tell me, which dish did you like the best?

Top Seven Banned Books in India, You Should Never Miss!

Pooja Wanpal

May 25, 2022

Another book fell victim to intolerance recently – Wendy Doniger’s ‘The Hindus’. Instead of a protracted legal fight, the publisher of the book, Penguin, chose to make an out-of-court settlement with the organization that had filed a complaint, claiming the book had “hurt the religious sentiments” and “contained factual errors”. While many are supporting the ban, Indian liberals have decried the decision and Penguin has been criticised heavily for buckling under pressure.

Book censorship is not a new phenomenon – books have been banned and burnt for centuries. In a multicultural country like India, it is difficult to maintain perfect stability, especially when it comes to religion. Far too often, religion seeps into public life, into politics and literature, instigating waves of discord that manifest themselves through public demonstrations and litigation. On a fundamental level, censorship of books displays a blatant disregard for pluralism, and an overwhelming eagerness to tear down new ideas. While it is certainly the government’s prerogative, too often, the law is taken in the hands by outraged citizens!

As the spate of book banning continues in India, here are some of the most controversial banned books in India in the recent past –

An Area of Darkness – V.S. Naipaul

The first book in Naipaul’s trilogy on India – ‘An Area of Darkness’ was published in 1964. It is a semi-autobiographical account of the year he spent travelling in India. The style of the book is quintessentially Naipaul – unsentimental, unflinching – he writes with a coldness of a surgeon’s knife. It features Naipaul’s strikingly original responses to India’s paralyzing caste system, its apparently serene acceptance of poverty and squalor, and the conflict between its desire for self-determination and its nostalgia for the British raj. Obviously, the dark tone of the book did not please the Indian tourism board. Criticised for its portrayal of India as a helpless, hopeless place, the book was banned in India.

The Satanic Verses – Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie’s ‘The Satanic Verses’ is considered the most controversial book ever, which got him immense notoriety as a writer and also a few death threats. There was a rash of protests around the world following its publication in 1988. Books and effigies of the writer were burnt. India was the first country to ban the book – other countries soon followed suit. The book is about two Indian expatriates, now living in England, are on an airplane when it is exploded by terrorists. They survive the explosion and the fall, but after landing their lives change. The garish obnoxious one, gains a halo, becoming the arch-angel Gabreel and the prim and proper other one becomes the devil. The devil’s story is his reintroduction into society and the angel’s story is through his dreams, who he inspires the prophet Mohammad. Everything culminates into a showdown between these two entities.

Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India – James Laine

When this biographical book on the Maratha King Shivaji was published in 2003, nobody could have anticipated the public ire that it drew. James Laine, a highly respected scholar, had done some of his research for the book in Bhandarkar Institute of Oriental Research, Pune. While a ban was imposed on the book in Maharashtra, angry mobs ransacked the institute, destroyed many precious manuscripts in the process. James Laine traces the origin and development of the Shivaji legend from the earliest sources to the contemporary accounts of the tale. His primary concern was to discover the meaning of Shivaji’s life for those who have composed the legendary accounts of his military victories, his daring escapes, his relationships with saints. In the process, he painted a complex picture of Hindu-Muslim relations from the seventeenth century to the present.

Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence – Jaswant Singh

Eyebrows were raised when Jaswant Singh, a prominent member of the BJP came out with a book on Jinnah in 2009. Like its heavy title, the book was pronounced to have suitable scholarly merit. Instead of being a tendentious tome, it was a well-researched, perspicuous book. However, the Gujarat government banned the book and Jaswant Singh was unceremoniously expelled from his party. The partition of India in 1947, has been the most wounding trauma of the twentieth century. Why did this partition take place at all? Jaswant Singh attempts to find an answer. He studies Jinnah’s political journey beginning as ‘an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity’ and ended up with his becoming the ‘sole spokesman’ of Muslims in India. The book attempts an objective evaluation of Jinnah’s transformation.

Such A Long Journey – Rohinton Mistry

‘Such a long journey’ is a highly acclaimed novel by Rohinton Mistry. It has won many awards like The Commonwealth Writers Prize, Governor General’s award, and was also shortlisted for the prestigious Booker prize. It follows the family life of a Parsi protagonist in the tumultuous decade of 1970, under the rule of Indira Gandhi. Shiv Sena objected to the ‘derogatory’ remarks made against its leader in the book. The issue was fiercely debated on public forums and within academic circles after the University of Mumbai withdrew the book from its syllabus. Rohinton Mistry later issued a public statement, expressing his disappointment about the withdrawal.

Polyester Prince: The Rise of Dhirubhai Ambani – Hamish McDonald

‘Polyester Prince’, the unofficial biography of Dhirubhai Ambani, which could have been one of the polemical biographies of the decade, never saw the light of the day. Harper Collins, the publisher anticipated legal action from the Ambani family and pulled the plug before the book could go into print. The book comments on length on the concept of power, and gives a riveting account of Ambani’s meteoric rise, his hits and misses and his successors. The book, though unavailable in India, can be found and read on the web. Pirated copies of the book are also commonplace.

It was five past midnight in Bhopal – Dominique Lapierre and Javier Moro

‘It was five past midnight in Bhopal’ is a novel based on one of the greatest disasters in the recent times – the Bhopal gas tragedy, which killed thousands of people and left lakhs injured. Instead of being a dry, prosaic account, the book is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, a chronicle of human survival against all odds. The book was banned after Swaraj Puri, the commissioner of Bhopal during that period, filed a defamation suit. Later, the ban was lifted by the Madhya Pradesh high court.

Factfile –
https://www.goodreads.com
https://www.goodreads.com

The Rich Legacy of Puppetry Art of India

Cscope Staff

May 25, 2022

Puppetry is a fascinating art form that has always sparked curiosity from an audience of all ages. Contemplating the life sagas of great monarchs and heroes of this type in rural India is quite popular. Emerging from the grassroots level, the identification of puppetry in India varies from one location to the other. Over the years, a fusion of regional painting techniques and sculptures has become more holistic. But it’s a dying art, unfortunately. Puppetry has grown less respected and less well-known with other types of easily accessible entertainment. Knowledge of these old forms is generally confined to a small group, and if it is to be popularised again we must try to make it more accessible for the masses.

India’s puppetry tradition forms an integral part of the culture of performance in the country. Puppetry shows include the representation of graphic stories utilising puppets, live music, gestures and narratives. They’re therefore at the intersection of theatrics and storytelling. It has mostly been done at religious events, ceremonies and temple celebrations.

Puppetry-Art-of-India — Image –Wikimedia

Beginnings of the tradition cannot be accurately located. There is nevertheless a narrative that says that Brahma the creator gave life to Adi, the first nat puppeteer who constructed his fellow goddess, Saraswati, the first puppet for enjoyment. Brahma was not content with his job and expelled the puppeteer to earth, starting the line of nat bhatt puppeteers. The oldest mention of puppetry was made in the Mahabharata in 9th century B.C.E., according to literary sources. Panini’s grammar(4th-century B.C.E), Patanjali’s works (2nd-century B.C.E), are the other literary sources. Certain academics contend furthermore that puppetry arose even before theatre. The puppets show gods and heroic figures through epic poetry, theatrics and story-telling. They fulfil educational and entertainment functions. It was present throughout India as a popular medium of performance. There is a variety of puppetry traditions in India.

The various styles and types of Puppetry

Puppetry Art of India, types of Puppetry — Image Source- Flickr / VasenkaPhotography

Puppets come in many shapes and forms, as with everything else in India. The backbone of the craftsmanship is glove, shadow, rod and string puppetry although styles differ in the country from region to state. The puppets are virtually life-sized in the northern state of Bihar, they weigh up to 10 kilos in Bengal, but they are paper-thin in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. They are manufactured from wood in Rajasthan, from leather in Tamil Nadu, from terracotta in Bengal and from wood in Odisha.

Geographies, language, music and culture, together with hyper-local demographic choices, have an important part in determining types of puppetry. In spite of the distinctions, they may be tied to a similar topic – religion. The most popular narratives told using puppetry are Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. Native language, regional context and local accent ensure that stories continue to be relevant to the audience and the message is properly transmitted.

String Puppets

String puppetry remains the most frequent type of puppetry in India. It is also the most expressive with the use of cords tied to the limbs and head of the puppet. The cords are tugged from behind the screen by the Sutradhar and the dolls dance and follow his orders. The more strings the more difficult and intricate is the performance. Different variants of this form may be found throughout the country.

For example, in Rajasthan, string puppets are ornamented with tinsel and named kathputli. In tourist squares, both local residents and visitors can observe them dance to native music. They are named Putul in West Bengal where they recount local stories of Durga’s courage; most of them are found at exhibitions, festivals and in rural areas. The technique they use is called suter putul nach. Odisha utilises string puppets, gopalila kundhei, for portraying the narrative of Lord Krishna, and in Maharashtra, known as Kalasutri Bahulya, the episodes of Ramayana are depicted with cymbals and drums on the stage. Separate variants of the stringed puppets are also available in Karnataka (yakshagana gombeyaata), Kerala (nook pavakoothu), Andhra Pradesh (koyya bommalata) and Telangana (keelu bommalata and sutram bommalata) and in Tamilnadu (bommalattam)

Shadow Puppets

Two-dimensional and flat puppets make the most fascinating form of puppetry – the shadow puppetry. These puppets are often made from animal leather, first processed and later painted with natural colours and with traditional motifs, and depict the most popular legends like Ravana, Rama, Surpanakha, and Mahabharata.

In the southern states Shadow puppets are more popular; their styles are very similar but subtle. Some of these are constructed with one enormous piece of leather, like the Togalu Gombeyatta in Karnataka. Some are joined like the one in Maharashtra. The joints enable the puppet to move more quickly and more gracefully and to be agile. Large groups of men and women sing traditional folk tunes to the beats of mridangam and cymbal as the Sutradhar brings the stories live on the stage. Tholu Bommalata puppets performed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, are recognised for their powerful performances, most of them performed after darkness with the sound, light, and visuals working together to create a fascinating ambience. Odisha’s shadow puppets are smaller and made of deerskin; and mountains, carts and trees play a vital part of the plot and the scenes from these epics come to life with realistic visuals and lyrical shadows.

Glove Puppets

The ideal demonstration of how a mute limp doll may spring to life with the small movement of the hand is what glove puppets show perfectly. Used in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha and Bengal, a simple approach is employed: a puppeteer places his hands into the head and arms of the puppet, manipulating the entire scenario. Uttar Pradesh’s Gulabo-Sitabo puppets mainly play social subjects in a fun and comedic style; they tell the story of Radha and Krishna in Odisha; however, Kerala’s glove puppets are the most captivating. These enormous, kathakali-like dolls, Pavakoothu, feature intricately wooden faces and garments in the fabric between one to two feet in height. Like Kathakali, the stories from both epics and dance to the enjoyable music of the chenda, chengiloa, ilathalam and shankha are also depicted. The performance of Pavakoothu is often as fascinating as the performance of Kathakali.

Rod Puppets

An extension for the glove puppet – the rod puppet are sometimes much larger than their hands and are manoeuvred by a rod. The most notable forms of these are Bengal Putul Nach and Bihar Yampuri. In Bihar, the puppets in one piece are made of wood. The movement needs higher skill on the part of the puppeteer, since there are no joints.

The rod puppet of Bengal is made of giant dolls and their stories and styles are borrowed from the traditional theatre, Jatra. They’re very dramatic and theatrical. They have a bamboo rod attached to the waist, manufactured in elaborate consumes, dazzling headpieces and typical Bengali Mask styles. The puppeteers stands behind a high curtain, singing and dancing while the puppets are being manoeuvred by them. There’s a festive atmosphere around the musical ensembles who accompany this performance, playing rhythmic local tunes about harmoniums, drums and cymbals.

Famous Puppeteers of India

1. Suresh Dutta

Puppetry Art of India, Suresh Dutta — http://pronay-165022.blogspot.com/2017/09/

Suresh Dutta is an Indian puppeteer, an eminent personality in the theatre and founder of the Calcutta Puppet Theatre, situated in Kolkata. Dutta was born in Faridpur in 1934 in the then undivided Bengal of British India. He graduated from the Albert League Temple Art School and the College, where he studied dance, play and music. Also Dutta trained in Jatra and Kathakali under Balakrishna Menon and Phani Bhushan.He also learned Bharatanatyam and Manipuri. He stood in his parala puppetry at the Calcutta Children’s Small Theatre in 1954 and made numerous shows with puppets, Mithuya in 1955 and Dustu Indur (Naughty Mouse) in 1956. He then proceeded to Russia in 1962 to train with Sergey Obraztsov, the master of puppetry, under a scholarship. He continued with the Little Children’s Theatre until 1971 when he returned.

In 1973, together with his wife Devi and a few similar artists, he established his own puppet theatre group, the Calcutta Puppet Theatre. The stage shows performances beginning with the Aladdin, followed by Ramayana , Sita, Gulabo aur Sitabo and natun Jeebon, raining to over 3000 shows. In 1978 he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. For his contribution to puppetry, the government of India gave him in 2009 the fourth highest civil honour of Padma Shri.

2. Ranganath Rao

Puppetry Art of India, Ranganath Rao — http://pronay-165022.blogspot.com/2017/09/

Mr. Rangatha Rao was Kannada puppetry’s pioneering artist. Born in 1932, he learned traditional art from a professional puppeteer, his grandfather Narasingha Rao.. He then left his position as a school teacher to teach puppetry as a full-time profession. Supported by an academic background in theatre and drama, Ranganatha rao’s use of puppets as a medium for teaching students at school, in particular in rural Karnataka institutions was a wonderful initiative. He specializes in Rod puppetry. In order to create a wholesome mini theatre of rod puppets in traditional folk music and culture, Rao has created a team of experienced musicians and singers.

Rao and his team went throughout the country to demonstrate the rod puppetry can be a great medium of entertainment and education, by means of lecture demonstrations and workshops. In 1981, the Sangeet Natak Academy presented a national prize to Rao to recognise his achievement and to help reconstruct the form of art. In renowned world museums such as the Victoria Albert (United Kingdom), Swiss Puppet Museum (Fribourg, Switzerland), Tokyo Puppet Museum (Japan), and China Puppet Museum Rao’s puppets are displayed. The 2016 Karnataka State Rajyotsva Prize and Kamala Award from the Indian Crafts Council speak loudly on his contribution to the field of puppetry.

3. Dadi Pudumjee

Puppetry Art of India, Dadi Pudumjee — http://pronay-165022.blogspot.com/2017/09/

Dadi Pudumjee is a renowned Indian puppeteer who was born on 15 September 1951 and is the founder of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust. In 1992 he received the Sangeet Natak Academy Prize. He is the president of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette i.e International Puppetry Association. Later on, he was educated in Pune at the NID National Institute of Design and in Darpana Academy in Ahmedabad under late Meher Contractor, where he learned puppetry under Michael Meschke and then he moved to the Marionette Theatre Institute in Stockholm (Sweden). The puppetry of Pudumjee is not limited to more frequent types of strings and hand puppets and rather has a wide range. He used semi-sculptural marionettes, which are attached to the bodies of the players and carried across the stage.

Dadi Pudumjee, a successful artist with a remarkable skill in puppetry , is credited alone for introducing the globe to Indian puppet theatre. He led a successful HIV awareness programme and drug abuse programme in conjunction with UNESCO through medium puppetry to communicate, in order to offer art that can alter social life. He wants to strengthen the art of the traditional puppetry in India and expand the appearance and the usage of puppetry as a means of expression with his foundation, the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust.

4. Ramdas Pandhye

Puppetry Art of India, Ramdas Pandhye — http://pronay-165022.blogspot.com/2017/09/

A ventriloquist, puppeteer and puppet maker, Ramdas Pandhye is an eminent personality in this field. He has performed about 9,000 ventriloquism and puppet shows across India and internationally in the past four decades. His shows have been frequently shown since 1972 on Doordarshan and he has also created the first Indian ventriloquism and puppetry websites. He was an Indian ventriloquist, performing on NBC, ABC and CBS television in America and BBC four on ventriloquism and puppetry-based shows. During the 70s he was immensely successful with his puppets Ardhavat rao’ and ‘Awadabai. He constructed many shows on societal matters such as family planning, small savings, education for children, etc.

Due to the efforts of individuals, cultural entities and local artisans, puppetry, which had almost perished in the post-colonial period, has been not only revived but became more popular in metropolitan areas. It is also utilized for teaching (for the differently-abled), communication (in urban villages and women’s groups), and entertainment in modern everyday life.

10 Great Books on Indian History, Every Indian Must Read!

Cscope Staff

May 23, 2022

India boasts of having one of the world’s oldest civilizations which can be traced back centuries through the documented history of the Vedas. Many kings and their reigns have influenced this country. It has also been evolved by numerous queens, many empires, faiths and, last but not least, the people. Indian history is comprehensive and diverse and encompasses from early civilizations and conquests to liberation and disconnected battles. During various times of history, several outstanding characters and unforgettable events have been exciting and inspiring. It’s not surprising that thousands of books are written about Indian history, both academic and others, making it tough to find apt literature about this matter. That is why this list of the ten most informative and interesting books about Indian history might be of use to everyone.

1. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins

Freedom at Midnight portrays the turbulent year of India’s independence from Britain in 1947. This book focuses mostly on India’s 1946 and 1948 Independence Movement. This work is regarded as historical throughout the span of events that occur during this period. It is thoroughly investigated, contains astonishing information that you would never have known before and is a highly recommended book on the independence and partition of India. The book also contains interviews with Lord Mountbatten, British India’s last viceroy. The book’s narrative technique dives the readers into the visual world of the collapsing Raj and lets them inside the minds of this age’s great actors.

2. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen

Essential for anybody looking for the basis of Indian politics, this collection of poignant essays on Indian history by Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen is a must for this list. This book explains mainly the history and the influences of that past on the cultural identity of India. Sen discusses how India had a long history of public debate (in every aspect of life) and how heterodoxy prevailed centuries ago in Indian civilization. Sen feels that we should all know about this lively past – given that the way in which we embrace our future might have a profound effect. With a focus on tradition in the Indian civilizations of the past, public discussion and argumentation and intellectual variety, Sen expresses his thoughts on what would decide the future of democracy in India.

3. The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple

The Last Mughal is a joy for enthusiasts of history and provides a complete account of the years of the decline of the Mughal Empire in India and the rise of the British Raj. William is a distinguished historian and travel writer. The book speaks about a culturally diverse and prosperous society during the tenure of Bahadur Shah Zafar the last Mughal emperor. The first conflict (popularly known as the Sepoy Mutiny) against the British signalled the end of the Mughal Empire in 1857. William recounts how such events occurred in a political and cultural manner and the impact that they had on the country. His styles of writing and his knack for perception make this book a must-read. If you want to know how Delhi came about and the mutiny of 1857, this one’s for you.

4. India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha

Perhaps one of the best Indian historians at present is Ramachandra Guha. Guha’s India After Gandhi became the go-to book on the journey of India, post-independence from the British in 1947 till the nineties. This is the finest book to comprehend modern India’s development. The former professor who now works as a historian has done a splendid job in making sense of the chaotic and eventful happenings of India since independence – the partition, Nehru socialist programmes, a brief but consequential career of Rajiv Gandhi, the rise of religion, and caste politics in this 900-page book. This may sound long but it is worth the journey and all the events and personalities of this captivating land are detailed here. The book also serves as a good primer to grasp the economic and social reality of India at present.

5. India: A History by John Keay

John Keay is an English writer and journalist who writes archives about India, usually with an emphasis on the colonisation and exploration by Europeans. Skillfully tracing the Indian subcontinent for more than 5,000 years of civilisation, this narrative is a superb reading for all those seeking a crash course in Indian history. John offers a panoramic vision in “India, a history” from the cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro through the civilizations of the Indus valley to today’s modern India, including all key developments in South Asia, up to the nuclear arms competition between India and Pakistan. This book combines material from different sources into one complete Indian history book. Many regard this as a superb textbook for every history student.

6. The Great Partition by Yasmin Khan

The Great Partition is an essential reading for everyone wishing to understand modern South Asia and is an informative account of British India’s partition into modern India and Pakistan. In this book, Yasmin Khan focuses on combining a series of voices that show the human impact of certain hasty political decisions. She investigates the setting, the way the partition was executed and its repercussions, including internal politics. It was published in 2007 and provided a fresh perspective into the situation. It is precisely written and advised as a much-needed review of decades of official partition history. If you want to discover what goes beyond the “political leaders” of that period and concentrate on other more on-ground concerns during the partition, this is your book.

7. The Ocean of Churn: How the Indian Ocean Shaped Human History by Sanjeev Sanyal

“The Ocean of Churn” by Sanjeev Sanyal is a book for those who need to grasp the importance of the Indian Ocean and the interconnection between human beings in the region that has influenced human history. It is also a necessary read for everyone who wishes to obtain the right view on the contribution of India to humanity. This book is not from a western perspective, unlike most historical works. The Ocean of Churn takes you on a fantastic voyage from mediaeval geopolitics and eyewitness reports from long-lost cities to the latest human genetic discoveries and to bring an area that has defined civilisation from the beginning to life. Each of the eleven chapters of the book discusses a number of important events over some time and together they introduce from ancient times until today the linked history of the Indian Ocean region. These insights are rich in unique anecdotes which, unlike other books about history, make this book an enjoyable read.

8. The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru

Written in prison between 1942 and 1946 by India’s first prime minister, it narrates the history of India, beginning with the Civilization in the Indus valley through the foundation of the British Empire. He walks past and traces our country’s roots. He studies the culture, the literature, the science, the philosophy and the vital power that led India to become one nation and one people. As a “friendly stranger,” he approaches India, respects his knowledge, condemns her follies and analyses the past as a benchmark, to push the history of society in the creative future. Facts, thoughts and sentiments coexist in The Discovery and produce literary harmony. It is a suggested reading to take on the unbelievably long history of India. This book was also produced by Shyam Benegal as an award-winning TV series.

9. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

The Grand Indian Novel is a satire by Shashi Tharoor. The Mahabharata, a Hindu mythology epic, is a fictitious work that is re-examined and reseted within the context of the Independence Movement and the first three decades of its independence. Indian figures have been converted into mythological characters and India’s mythical history is recalled as the history of Indian independence following throughout the 1980s. The satire implied in the title pervades the pages of the book, a fictitious portrayal of two of Indian history/ mythology’s essential components – Mahabharat and British Indian politics. Well-known characters washed off their colours, repainted and reintroduced. And the reader is struck by the author’s utter naivety and occasionally boldness. The novel calls for audacity to depict in human light on the gods and demigods of India, which is what Tharoor has done. Read this if you can take your history with a pinch of salt.

10. A History of Ancient and Early Mediaeval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century by Upinder Singh

This book has been developed for academics and students of antique and early mediaeval Indian history as a thorough introduction and offers the most comprehensive view. The vast historical compass, from the age of stone until the 12th century, is divided into chronological units and profiles of diverse geographical locations in the subcontinents are constructed. The narration of the past differs from normal text-based history writing, dealing in extensive length in prehistory and protohistory of the sub-continent. It teaches essential principles and enlightens modern discussions, discoveries and research by revealing the ways in which our past is built. Ancient and Early Mediaeval India presenting fair views, promotes readers’ individual appraisal of hypotheses, evidence and arguments, to place the main historical controversies in their contexts.

This book, maps and figures illustrated superbly with over four hundred images which helps to comprehend and grasp the material. It presents a wise, complex yet clear overview of India’s early past, and will certainly make for a splendid experience for readers.

Basohli Paintings – Bold and Beautiful Expressions in Pahari Style

Soma Ghosh

May 16, 2022

#Didyouknow that Basohli painting, a School of Pahari miniature painting which flourished in the Indian hill states, in sub-Himalayan India during the late 17th and the 18th centuries, is known for its bold colours and vitality? The school takes its name from the small independent state of Basohli. Where exactly is Basohli? It is in a town near Kathua in the Kathua district in the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its original name is Vishwasthali and was founded by Raja Bhupat Pal from the Biloria clan of Chandravamshi Rajputs, in 1635. Its past glory can be gleaned from its ruined forts and palaces and its splendorous paintings created by artists in the ateliers of the rulers or even at village homes of artists and brought to the patrons for purchase. It is nestled on the right bank of the river Ravi. Basohli is naturally beautiful with mountainscapes and greenery located amidst the Shivalik hills. There are villages on hillsides, meadows and trees such as pines among others. Basohli paintings are considered the first School of Pahari paintings, which evolved into the Kangra paintings school by mid-eighteenth century. Most of the Hill states were ruled by Rajput rajas or kings who were vassals to the Mughals which influenced the art styles and architecture of the state.

A-mountain-peak-on-way-to-Basohli — A mountain peak on the way to Basohli, Jammu, India. – Wikimedia

Basohli paintings display a wide range of subjects. Starting with Hindu deities, the school goes on to paint illustrations to texts like the Bhagavata Purana, Gita Govinda, Rasikpriya and Rasamanajari. The Basohli

School of painting flourished under royal patronage. It flowered under Raja Kirpal Pal (r. 1678-1695), a patron of arts and learning, who had an atelier and was fascinated with illuminated manuscripts. Many Basohli paintings have beetle wings to depict emeralds in jewellery and also gold work on them which makes them glow. He had commissioned a Rasamanjari set in circa 1695 executed by artist Devidasa. However, there are sets prior to 1680; a Tantric Devi series, a set of Nayikas, a group of illustrations of Rasamanjari as well. The earlier paintings were most probably made during Raja Sangram Pal’s (r.1635-73, grandfather of Raja Kirpal Pal, son of Bhupat Pal) period by individual artists. There might have been a Kashmiri painter at Basohli with knowledge of Nepali techniques because some early artworks show Nepali influence. The influence of wood sculpting is also seen because the atelier had sculptors.

Basohli-paintings-Raja-Kirpal-Pal — ***Raja Kirpal Pal***, painting from Basohli, dated to circa 1685, San Diego Museum of Art, U S A. – Wikimedia

The son of Raja Kirpal Pal, Raja Dhiraj Pal (r. 1695 – 1725) kept the School alive. It is conjectured that a Bhagavata series done in horizontal mode, of Mankot was actually made by his atelier. Between 1707 and 1710 a set of Ragamalas were made, a Ramayana dated to 1720 is from his rule. Few portraits were also executed. His son Raja Medini Pal (r. 1725-36) commissioned the famous Gita Govinda of 1730. His son was Raja Amrit Pal (r. 1757-1776). Thus, we see that the illustrations to famous texts, portraits of rulers, battling elephants, Ragamala paintings, the school has it all in bold vibrant hues and illumination as well. Basohli painting has a typical facial geometry and stood out as unique in the 17th century. The artworks have red borders within which the picture is depicted.
Basohli style uses strong colours, and deep-set facial patterns. The faces have large graceful eyes. The paintings use bright colours with yellowish-brown, yellow, brown and green grounds, Takri script is on the top and serial numbers on top left. On the back of these paintings Sanskrit verses may be inscribed in Devanagri. The architecture reveals pavilions, doors with panels, latticed windows and plinths. Women are with a receding forehead, well defined nose and wide eyes. Stone colours, brushes of squirrel hair, and hand-made papers were used for the artwork. The feathers of Kalmunha bird and colours from leaves, flowers, beetle wings and khadiya earth besides gold and silver are known to be used as well to great effect in Basohli paintings. Let us look at the subjects painted and see some images from this vibrant School of Indian painting!

Lord Ganesha

Art Historian Martin-Dubost, Paul says about this painting at National Museum, New Delhi of Lord Ganesha sourced from his work Ganesa: The Enchanter of the Three Worlds…”Attired in an orange dhoti, his body is enitirely red. On the three points of his tiny crown, budding lotuses have been fixed. Gaṇeśa holds in his two right hands the rosary and a cup filled with three modakas (a fourth substituted by the curving trunk is just about to be tasted). In his two left hands, Ganesa holds a large lotus above and an axe below, with its handle leaning against his shoulder. In the Mudgalapurāṇa (VII, 70), in order to kill the demon of egotism (Mamāsura) who had attacked him, Gaṇeśa Vighnarāja throws his lotus at him. Unable to bear the fragrance of the divine flower, the demon surrenders to Gaṇeśa.”

Radha and Krishna

A painting at The Met, New York of Radha and Krishna along with a sakhi or companion is depicting a discussion between them in a verdant space in Vrindavan. Radha is in rapt attention and the sakhi is making a point as well, Krishna seems to be having the final word. Krishna is wearing his pitambar garment of yellow and Radha is dressed in a blue diaphanous odhni and a red ghagra. It is an illustration from the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva Goswami written in the 12th century.

Sanveri Ragini

The painting of Sanveri ragini, a melody in Indian classical music depicts a royal woman dressed in finery seated on a silver throne in a grove. There is a falcon on her left hand which may be her pet bird or symbolic of royalty.

Pradyumna and Mayavati

Basohli paintings Pradymna and Mayavati-01 — ***Pradyumna and Mayavati fly to Dwaraka***, from the *Bhagavata Purana*, Basohli, dated to circa 1755, Cleveland Museum of Art, U S A. Wikimedia

This painting of Pradyumna and Mayavati flying from The Cleveland Museum of Art depicts a scene from the Bhagavata Purana which relates to Lord Krishna’s life.

Battling Elephants

The painting of two fighting elephants from the collection at LACMA, USA, captures the intensity of the combat with the mahouts speaking animatedly and the onlookers enthralled and participating in the event.

Indrakshi Seated on a Lotus Flower

Basohli paintings Indrakshi Seated on a Lotus — ***Indrakshi seated on a lotus flower***, adored by the gods, from the *Tantric Devi* series, Basohli dated to circa 1660-70. Wikimdeia

An illuminated painting from the Tantrik Devi series depicting Indrakshi, being adored by the Hindu Trinity of Gods, Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The artwork has used gold, silver and beetle-wing cases on paper.

Akura Rides Toward Dwarka

Basohli paintings Akura rides to Dwarka — Akrura rides toward Dwarka, page from the Bhagavata Purana, Basohli, dated to circa 1760-65, Cleveland Museum of Art, U S – Wikimedia

The painting Akura rides towards Dwaraka from the 17th century at The Cleveland Museum of Art depicts a scene from the Bhagavata Purana which relates to Lord Krishna’s life.

Kalki Avatar

Kalki Avatar, Basohli painting, dated to circa 1700-10, The Met, New York, U S A. Wikimedia

Kalki is the tenth and final incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu who will end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence. The painting from The Met, New York depicts the avatar seated on a silver throne with his sword and an attendant bringing his white horse in which he will arrive.

Scenes from Rasamanjari

Basohli paintings Shiva and Parvati playing chaupar — ***Shiva and Parvati playing chaupar,*** from a Rasamanjari series, Basohli painting, dated to circa 1694-95. picryl.com

Rasamanjari is a text in Sanskrit verse composed by Bhanudatta from the 17th century. It is about the many aspects of love. Bhanudatta in his poetry had depicted the social life of that era, especially the elite and depicted couples as Nayaks and Nayikas. The text has been well illustrated by many Schools of Indian painting, especially Basohli. Basohli style Rasamanjari paintings hold a special place in the history of Indian painting. Kripal, his son Devidasa and grandson Golu were the main artists of the illustrations. Here we see two paintings, one of Shiva and Parvati playing a game of chaupar and one where Radha is upset with Krishna. Shiva and Parvati, Radha and Krishna have been envisaged as nayak and nayika by the poet.

Basohli-paintings-Radha-is-upset-with-Krishna — ***Radha is upset with Krishna,*** from a Rasamanjari series, Basohli, dated to circa 1670. Wikimedia

The Basohli School is a pioneering school in the Pahari genre of painting and will continue to enthrall be treasured by art lovers and scholars for its ability to engage the viewer with it powerful depictions and colourful images.

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