I visited the 41st India Internation Trade Fair recently. Among the multitude of amazing stalls, I found a few stalls exhibiting toys of regional traditions. Being a mother of an eleven months old these stalls were especially appealing to me. Among these stalls were stalls exhibiting and selling beautifully colored Channapatna toys. It is said […]
Even those who don’t like chicken like Chikan. – The shop owner declared while showing beautifully carved handcrafted chikan work clothes. He had earlier demonstrated how the cloth is first block-printed and the karigars work along the lines of the print. After the embroidery is done, the fabric is washed and sometimes even dyed as
Riga Veda Riga Veda is considered the oldest among the four Vedas. It is subdivided into ten books. It is believed that Riga Veda was composed during the early Vedic period. However, the codification in the book may have been undertaken after its composition in oral form. You can read Riga Veda here. Sama Veda
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Manipur because of its geographical location has been protected from outside influences of the world. Its entire art and culture are pure in their original state. Yes, some of it has changed over time but it has not lost its original touch. The roots of Lai Harabo go back to as far as the pre-Vaishnavite
Lhou sha is a war dance of Manipur. Lhou sha is performed during the confrontation between two villages. Whenever a village won a fight or caught a wild animal it used to perform lhou sha dance. It became the dance of the victory. Maring community of Manipur is responsible for its origin and perseverance of
Odissi is an ancient classical dance of India. It is an important part of the cultural heritage of the eastern state of Orissa. Today, Odissi is a globally known dance form. Based on the principles of the Natya-Shastra, the dance form has been in practice for 2000 years now. The dance was originally performed in
Persuaded by my husband’s insistance to visit Khurpatal near Nainital, I agreed for a staycation there this extended weekend. The objective was clear. We were to find a peaceful place to stay at Khurpatal and rest there. No aggressive stance to cover all the points in Nainital but rest and enjoy the serenity of the
The Eastern state of Orissa is known for being home to many traditional dance forms of the tribes. A fine example is the Ghumura dance that is prevalent in the Kalahandi district. This tribal dance has a touch of classical dance in its elegance. Origins of Ghumura Dance Apart from historical proofs, there are multiple
A popular dance form of the eastern Indian states, Chhau, has been in practice for many years. It is a perfect blend of martial arts and tribal culture. Orissa, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are the three states known for their performance of the Chhau dance. The dance form has an interesting history, a theme, and
Chhau Dance – A Magnificent Performing Art of West Bengal Read More »
What excites you more than the history itself? If you were asked to go in the past to see something you want to see what will it be? For many people, it will be the dance performance of Khamba and Thoibi. According to the folklores of Manipur Thamba and Thoibi danced in the presence of
Khamba Thoibi Dance: Manipuri Dance of Legendary Lovers Read More »
Lavani is a popular folk dance of Maharastra. It is a combination of music and dance. The nature of Lavani dance is mostly sensual but it also deals with other social and religious issues. The songs include social issues and political satires. According to its genre, Lavani has been divided into various parts. The name
Dhol cholam is a folk dance of Manipur. Dhol Cholam derives its name from the musical instrument dhol itself. It is a drum dance that can be seen performing at a large scale during Holi season. Dhol or drum is a common instrument played in almost every folk dance of Manipur. In Manipur, Dhol Cholam
