Category: Culture and History

Cultural history brings to life a past time and place. In this search, cultural historians study beliefs and ideas, much as intellectual historians do. … These are reflected in the products of deliberately artistic culture, but also include the objects and experiences of everyday life, such as clothing or cuisine.

International Youth Day- 12th August 2021

Theme 2021, why do we celebrate this day? Importance to speak up for the coming youth. Movies for youth, what else is celebrated today!

 Theme: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”

The main aim is to highlight that every action which needs to be taken for the better of life on Earth, cannot be achieved at a global level without the contribution of the youth. With, Increasing population the need for not only a larger volume of healthier food more sustainably will not ensure human and planetary wellbeing but also poverty reduction, social inclusion, health care, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

 The United Nations in 1999 after a recommendation was made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. Then the first International Youth Day took place in the summer of 2000.

 It is mainly to empower young people to participate in public life so that they can have opportunities to contribute to society’s development across the world and be heard completely. It is not just to protect them, but to incorporate them in the development of communities regardless of their ethnicity, background, and status. It honors the traits of young people and acknowledges the challenges that today’s ferocious youth face.

Youth with the support and wisdom of old are the torch-bearers of this world.

Examples:

In partnership with UNDP, Bibliothèque sans frontières (Libraries Without Borders) young staff travel across Burundi, are disturbing knowledge through e-books, paperbacks, educational games, internet-ready mobile devices and so on.

Mercy and Shetuuka, sibling farmers working to reduce hunger. Also, create jobs in Namibia through eco-friendly farming.

In Egypt, a group of tiny activists has been traveling village to village, determined to end female genital mutilation in their country.

One of UNDP’s 600 transportation projects to promote economic development in rural Afghanistan, encouraging more boys and girls enrolling in primary school, while addressing safety concerns on the village’s main road.

The list is endless and we need support, we need to be heard, and taken seriously irrespective of our age. Youth brings many issues which violate basic human rights to surface and fight for them.

https://undp.medium.com/17-ways-youth-are-changing-the-world-505a489e91dc

 Movies putting forward importance of youth participation and their situation:

Into the Wild (2007,Must see)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012).

The Edge of seventeen.(2016)

Moxie.(2021)

Love, Simon. (2018)

Quotes:

Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die. —Herbert Hoover

The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. —Kurt Cobain

“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche

“In youth, it was a way I had,
To do my best to please.
And change, with every passing lad
To suit his theories.

But now I know the things I know
And do the things I do,
And if you do not like me so,
To hell, my love, with you.”


― Dorothy Parker, The Complete Poems of Dorothy Parker

Other Days Celebrated Today:

Black Womens Equal Pay – United States

World Elephant Day – Canada, United Kingdom, United States & South Africa

Music Of India

India is rich in various types of music played in different traditions, cultures, being played since ages. There are mainly 3 types of music: Classical music, Folk music and Modern music.

Classical Music

It includes Carnatic music and Hindustani music. The basic concepts of this music includes Shruti (microtones), Swaras (notes), Alankar (ornamentations), Raga (melodies improvised from basic grammars), and Tala (rhythmic patterns used in percussion). Thereare seven svaras are Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni respectively.

Folk Music

It consists the music according to the state and regions. Some of them are:

Dandiya and Garba

Dandiya or Raas is a form of Gujarati cultural dance that is performed with sticks. The present musical style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment to the folk dance. There is also another type of dance and music associated with Dandiya/Raas called Garba.

Haryanavi music

The folk Music of Haryana spread because of the Bhats, Saangis, and Jogis. It is sung and played in the state of Haryana, parts of western UP and neighboring districts of Rajasthan and Punjab.

Himachali

Himachal’s folk music varies according to the event or the festival. One of the most popular style of music is Nati Music, where nati being the traditional dance that is done on the song. Nati Music is usually celebratory, and done in fairs or other occasions such as marriages.

Qwallis

It is the traditional form of Islamic songs practiced Northern India. It is also linked to the Sufi tradition and performed with one or two lead singers with several musical instruments like harmonium, tabla, dholak, etc.

Rajasthani music

It is one of the most popular forms of music in India. The essence of Rajasthani music originates from the creative symphony of string instruments, percussion instruments, and wind instruments accompanied by melodious renditions of folk singers.

Gazals

t is a type of music with a short poem with a series of couplets. Each couplet is an independent poem.

ESSENCE OF INDIAN TRADITION

HERITAGE

The word heritage is defined as “Anything transmitted from ancestors or past ages”. The Indian heritage is often best appreciated concerning different historical periods. We are the inheritors of a cultural and non-secular tradition stretching over 4000 years.

CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION

The word ‘culture’ and ‘civilization’ are often used as the same. However, they have their own clearly defined meanings which differentiate them.

CIVILIZATION

‘Civilization’ means making better ways of living and making use of nature to satisfy daily needs. Civilization includes developing societies into politically well-defined groups that work together for improved conditions of life in terms of food, dress, and communication.

CULTURE

The English word ‘Culture’ is coined from the Latin word ‘cult or cultus’ which means tilling, or cultivating or refining and worship. ‘Culture’ refers to the inner self, a refinement of mind, soul, and heart. Culture includes various art forms and sciences, music and dance, and several higher activities of human life which also are classified as cultural activities. On the whole, it is cultivating and refining a thing to an extent such that its outcome evokes our admiration and esteem. This is often practically an equivalent as ‘Sanskriti’ of the Sanskrit language.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE

 • Culture is learned and purchased

 • Culture is shared by a cluster of individuals

 • Culture is cumulative

 • Culture changes

 • Culture is dynamic

 • Culture gives us a variety of permissible behaviour patterns

 • Culture is diverse

 • Culture is ideational

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Cultural development may be a historical process. Cultural heritage includes all those aspects or values of culture transmitted to citizenry by their ancestors from generation to generation. They’re cherished, protected, and maintained by them with unbroken continuity, and that they feel pleased with it. Architectural works like monuments, material artifacts, the intellectually achieved properties, philosophy, treasures of data, scientific inventions, and discoveries also are a part of heritage.

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Traditional knowledge or ‘local knowledge’ may be a record of human achievement in comprehending the complexities of life and survival in often unfriendly environments. Traditional knowledge, which can be technical, social, organizational, or cultural was obtained as a part of the good human experiment of survival and development. We have to analyse, evaluate conserve, and revive the normal Knowledge Systems for the economic betterment of the planet in a holistic manner. It is that the knowledge system possessed by various communities across the world. Such knowledge has been accumulated, used, and has been bequeathed through several generations. It’s usually regarding the natural surroundings of the community and includes agricultural knowledge like manner of cultivation, environmental knowledge, and knowledge of natural medicines.

TYPES OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

 • Cultural knowledge

 • Artistic knowledge

 • Biodiversity or natural resources

 • Agricultural knowledge

 • Sacred knowledge

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

 • It has been handed on from generation to generation.

 • In many cases, it’s transmitted orally for generations from person to person.

 • It is being considered by the communities as a gift of God and not as personal property.

 • This knowledge generally distinguishes one community from another community.

 • It is typically impossible to spot the first creator of the knowledge.

 • It is learned by observing continuously, experiencing, and practicing it.

 • It is inseparable a part of the communal and cultural life of its holders.

 • It is typically related to biological resources.

NEED FOR SHIELDING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

 • Lack of proper legal policy framework for the protection of traditions.

 • Exploitation of traditional knowledge and indigenous resources.

 • Patenting the medicinal plants and their derivatives.

 • Commercial interests violate indigenous property rights.

J.R.D. Tata-the great entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata, known throughout the world as J.R.D Tata, was born on the 29th of July, 1904 in Paris. His father, Ratanji Tata. His mother Sujaine was French. The Tatas belong to the Parsi community. They settled in Navsari, a small town near Bombay in 1942 A.D.

  The Tatas, an industrial family, have provided employment to lakhs of Indians all over the country. Tata Corporate is an industrial giant in our country. The Tatas have products that cover almost every industry right from railway engines to watches, cloth to soaps to common salt and also electrical goods. The Tata industry was started by Jamshedji Tata the Grand Old Man of the Tata family. He started a steel factory in Jamshedpur and a cotton factory in Nagpur, laying a foundation for industrial technology in India. This tradition was continued by J.R.D. Tata was known as the father figure of Indian industry.

  J.R.D. Tata received his primary education both in Paris and Bombay. He wanted to pursue his studies at Cambridge but his father involved him in the running of the company and hence he could not pursue his further studies at Cambridge. From childhood, J.R.D. wanted to be a pilot. His inspiration was Louis Blerio, an adventurous pilot who had crossed the English Channel in an airplane. After Tata returned to India he became a member of the Bombay Flying Club in 1929, obtained a pilot’s license. He flew his plane and in 1953 the Tata airlines were born which later became Air Indian, India’s international airline. Tata had undertaken his maiden solo flight from Bombay to Karachi and back, he re-enacted his maiden flight fifty years later from Karachi to Bombay in memory of the inaugural flight at the age of 88, such was his spirit!

  J.R.D. Tata participated in the struggle for freedom too. He was influenced by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and attended Congress meetings but later he felt he would be of better service if could help in eradicating poverty and employment than being behind bars. Under his chairmanship, the assets of the Tata Group grew from US$100 million to over US$5 billion. He started with 14 enterprises under his leadership and half a century later on 26 July 1988, when he left, Tata Sons was a conglomerate of 95 enterprises which they either started or in which they had a controlling interest.

He was the trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust from its inception in 1932 for over half a century. Under his guidance, this Trust established Asia’s first cancer hospital, the Tata Memorial Centre for Cancer, Research and Treatment, in Bombay in 1941. He also founded the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS, 1936), the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR, 1945), and the National Center for Performing Arts. The growth of Tata industries under him was phenomenal. As mentioned earlier from salt to steel, soap to atomic power, hotels, transport system, Tata industries lead by J.R.D. Tata was everywhere. 

  To recognition of his achievements and services in various fields, he received numerous awards. The Padma Vibhushan, in 1955 was one such award of civilian honor. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992 the highest civilian honor in India. J.R.D. Tata breathed his last on November 29, 1993, in Geneva, Switzerland. He is no more but his industries spread out all over India give a lifeline to lakhs of people.

Terrorism

Terrorism is a criminal act that seeks to instil terror in ordinary people. It is a danger to mankind. It covers anybody or any organisation who spreads violence, such as riots, burglaries, rapes, kidnappings, fights, bombs, and so on. Terrorism is a cowardly act. Terrorism is also unrelated to religion. A terrorist is a terrorist, regardless of whether he or she is Hindu or Muslim.

Types of Terrorism

Terrorism is classified into two types: political terrorism, which causes widespread alarm, and criminal terrorism, which involves abduction for ransom money. Political terrorism is even more dangerous than criminal terrorism since it is carried out by well-trained individuals. As a result, it becomes difficult for law enforcement organisations to apprehend them in a timely manner.

Terrorism spreads at both the national and international levels. Regional terrorism is the most violent type of terrorism. Because terrorists believe that dying as a terrorist is precious and holy, they are prepared to go to any length. All of these terrorist organisations are formed for a variety of reasons.

Causes of Terrorism

There are several major causes of terrorism, including rapid population growth, politics, social and economic problems, dissatisfaction with the country’s system, a lack of education, corruption, racism, economic inequality, and linguistic differences. Terrorism is used as a weapon to show and justify one’s point of view. The most well-known riots are those between Hindus and Muslims, although there is a distinction between caste and terrorism.

The Effects Of Terrorism

Terrorism instils fear in individuals, and as a result, people in the country feel insecure. Terrorist attacks damage millions of products, take the lives of thousands of innocent people, and slaughter animals. After witnessing a terrorist attack, disbelief in mankind grows, giving rise to another terrorist. There are several forms of terrorism in various areas of the country and throughout the world.

Today, terrorism is not just a concern in India, but also in our neighbouring nation, and governments all over the world are working hard to combat it. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center is widely regarded as the world’s biggest. Osama bin Laden attacked the world’s tallest skyscraper, resulting in millions of injuries and the deaths of thousands of people.

Terrorist Attacks in India

India has suffered several terrorist attacks which created fear among the public and caused huge destruction. Here are some of the major terrorist attacks that hit India in the last few years: 1991 – Punjab Killings, 1993 – Bombay Bomb Blasts, RSS Bombing in Chennai, 2000 – Church Bombing, Red Fort Terrorist Attack,2001- Indian Parliament Attack, 2002 – Mumbai Bus Bombing, Attack on Akshardham Temple, 2003 – Mumbai Bombing, 2004 – Dhemaji School Bombing in Assam,2005 – Delhi Bombings, Indian Institute of Science Shooting, 2006 – Varanasi Bombings, Mumbai Train Bombings, Malegaon Bombings, 2007 – Samjhauta Express Bombings, Mecca Masjid Bombing, Hyderabad Bombing, Ajmer Dargah Bombing, 2008 – Jaipur Bombings, Bangalore Serial Blasts, Ahmedabad Bombings, Delhi Bombings, Mumbai Attacks, 2010 – Pune Bombing, Varanasi Bombing.

The recent ones include 2011 – Mumbai Bombing, Delhi Bombing, 2012 – Pune Bombing, 2013 – Hyderabad Blasts, Srinagar Attack, Bodh Gaya Bombings, Patna Bombings, 2014 – Chhattisgarh Attack, Jharkhand Blast, Chennai Train Bombing, Assam Violence, Church Street Bomb Blast, Bangalore, 2015 –  Jammu Attack, Gurdaspur Attack, Pathankot Attack, 2016 – Uri Attack, Baramulla Attack, 2017 – Bhopal Ujjain Passenger Train Bombing, Amarnath Yatra Attack, 2018 Sukma Attack, 2019- Pulwama attack.

Agencies fighting Terrorism in India

To combat terrorism in India, many police, intelligence, and military institutions have created specific agencies. In India, major anti-terrorism agencies include the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Conclusion

Terrorism has evolved into a worldwide concern that must be addressed at the outset. Terrorism cannot be handled only by law enforcement forces. People all across the world will need to band together to combat the rising menace of terrorism.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah- The man behind the Partition and creation of Pakistan.

Note- This article is based on historical facts and written with great conscience. I (the author) do not intend to hurt the sentiments of any Religion or Community. And in case I’ve made any mistake (with facts), then feel free to comment below.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the first Governor-General of Pakistan, was a part of the India National Congress for many years. India and Pakistan were born due to the two-nation theory that the Muslims would be given a separate nation as opposed to the Hindus and the INC.

  Hindus and Muslims had always fought as one against the oppression of the British. But the British were very crafty. They were aware that the growing nationalism would be the downfall of the British Empire sooner or later. To avoid this the British, sought the practice of ‘Divide and Rule’. They knew that the Muslims were a minority and their lack of education and comparative backwardness made them insecure and the British supposedly took up their cause. They campaigned for their cause and the Muslim intellectuals, big landlords, and leaders of the community aided them in swaying the rest of the Muslims. The way they wanted to.

 The Indians, unfortunately, did not realize that this was what the Britishers wanted and that they should be working together. The divide became wider and soon separate electorates took place in 1906. The Muslim leaders like Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Maulana Azad, M.A. Ansari all worked and appealed for unity, but on the other hand, Jinnah emerged as the leader of the Muslims and he gave vent to his ill feelings against Hindu leaders. It was during the conference at Calcutta in December 1928, that he demanded a separate electorate as well as reservations and safeguards for his community. He drilled into the minds of all the Muslims that they were a minority and they stood the danger of being dominated by the Hindu majority. Several Hindu organizations like the Hindu Mahasabha aided the deep-rooted resentment between the two communities.

  The result of all this was partition and a nation called Pakistan was born. The initial idea of a different Muslim nation was heralded by Sir Muhammad Iqbal, who put this proposal at the Allahabad Muslim League session in 1930. But it was in April 1914 that Jinnah declared that under no circumstances would there be one government. They were determined to establish an independent nation. When the Ministers of the Interim Government, led by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru were being sworn in, in September 1946, the Muslim League supporters were raising slogans about ‘Long Live Pakistan’. Though the two leagues worked together for a while, it was by no means a smooth sailing in the joint Government. Jinnah then announced 16th August 1946 to be considered as Direct Action Day, to assert his demand for a separate homeland for Indian Muslims out of certain northwestern and eastern provinces in colonial India. Against a backdrop of communal tension, the protest triggered massive riots between Hindus and Muslims in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the Bengal Province of British India. More than 4,000 people lost their lives and 100,000 residents were left homeless in Calcutta within 72 hours. This violence sparked off further religious riots in the surrounding regions of Noakhali, Bihar, United Provinces (modern Uttar Pradesh), Punjab, and the North-Western Frontier Province. These events sowed the seeds for the eventual Partition of India.

Communal Riots in Calcutta

  Eventually, Lord Mountbatten put forward the partition plan in June 1947. The country was divided into two separate nations- India and Pakistan. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as the first Governor-General of Pakistan on 14th August 1947. A day later India gained Independence with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister on 15th August 1947. As Jinnah left New Delhi to assume the office of Governor-General of Pakistan he commented that it was probably the last time he would be looking at Delhi, and this proved true enough as he died only a year later on September 11, 1948. The emergence of Pakistan was at almost the end of his lifetime and the task of fulfilling and building up his dream was left to his successors.

Lord Mountbatten

Book review for ‘the Boy in the stripped Pyjamas’: A heartbreak but not a very real story

The holocaust is for sure a topic that as discussed as infamous it can be. It is as much a tragic story as a fact that can make any person grip in fear of what a human is capable of becoming.

Bruno is a 9-years old boy in Berlin during the Second World War and his father a member of the Nazi party, soon promoted to office the Auschwitz camp at the personal orders of the Fuhrer.

Sad and missing his friends, Bruno spots a pale boy in pyjamas with a lot of people on the other side of the fence. Bruno meets this boy, Shmuel whom he quickly befriends. Shmuel informs Bruno that he lived on this side of the fence with his grandfather, brother and father. And to the merry of both boys, they share the same birthday and age.

Shmuel grows pale and lean everyday and Bruno starts to sneak him food. They talk and share their lives while Bruno does not really understand what is going on the other side of the fence.

One day, Shmuel informs Bruno that his father is missing and everyone in his family is desperate to find him. That evening, Bruno removes his clothes, pulls up the stripped pyjamas Shmuel offers him and crosses the fence to search for Shmuel’s father.

Both the kids are spotted by guards who ask them to participate in the march. The march ends in a closed room which Bruno assumes is the place to sleep and sit together. He holds Shmuel’s hands and whispers to him that they shall be friends for life.

Bruno is missing and only his clothes are found near the camp fence. His father, deducing what must have happened is broken and offers himself to the now invading Allied armies.

This fictional story that forms the plot of the book, “The boy in the stripped Pyjamas” by Irish author John Boyne. The book quite metaphorically illustrates the fact that the adults were really not concerned with what is happening under their noses while the kids were just been broken, separated by fences and lines drawn between races.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Deluxe Illustrated Edition) by John Boyne: 9780399559310 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

However, and quite correctly, the historians have argued that this book has several historical inconsistencies that might make a reader believe that concentrations camps were way more lax than they really were. No one, let alone a kid was left off work to let him have the time to meet, talk to and enjoy another human being’s company.

Auschwitz: Concentration Camp, Facts, Location - HISTORY
An actual picture from the Auschwitz Camp

At the end, the author expresses his belief in humanity by stating,

“Of course, all of this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in this day and age.“

Happy reading!

ONE STATE MANY WORLDS


Karnataka is a state in southwest India with Arabian Sea coastlines. The capital, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is a high-tech hub known for its shopping and nightlife. To the southwest, Mysore is home to lavish temples including Mysore Palace, former seat of the region’s maharajas. Hampi, once the medieval Vijayanagara empire’s capital, contains ruins of Hindu temples, elephant stables and a stone chariot.

Originally known as the princely State of Mysore, Karnataka was formed on 1st November 1956 and is located in the South-Western region of India. Close to the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea, Karnataka is known for its beautiful yet unpopulated beaches and rich culture.

Karnataka is the largest state in South India and sixth largest in India. The state is in the south western region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as the State of Mysore , it was renamed Karnataka in 1973. The state corresponds to the Carnatic region. Its capital and largest city is Bangalore.

Karnataka is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the south. It is the only southern state to have land borders with all of the other 4 southern Indian sister states. The state covers an area of 191,976 square kilometres , or 5.83 percent of the total geographical area of India. It is the sixth largest Indian state by area. With 61,130,704 inhabitants at the 2011 census, Karnataka is the eighth largest state by population, comprising 31 districts. Kannada, one of the classical languages of India, is the most widely spoken and official language of the state. Other minority languages spoken include Urdu, Konkani, Marathi, Tulu, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kodava and Beary. Karnataka also contains some of the only villages in India where Sanskrit is primarily spoken

The economy of Karnataka is the fourth-largest of any Indian state with ₹16.99 trillion in gross domestic product and a per capita GDP of ₹231,000 . Karnataka has the nineteenth highest ranking among Indian states in Human Development Index.

The diverse linguistic and religious ethnicities that are native to Karnataka, combined with their long histories, have contributed immensely to the varied cultural heritage of the state. Apart from Kannadigas, Karnataka is home to Tuluvas, Kodavas and Konkanis. Minor populations of Tibetan Buddhists and tribes like the Soligas, Yeravas, Todas and Siddhis also live in Karnataka. The traditional folk arts cover the entire gamut of music, dance, drama, storytelling by itinerant troupes, etc. Yakshagana of Malnad and coastal Karnataka, a classical dance drama, is one of the major theatrical forms of Karnataka. Contemporary theatre culture in Karnataka remains vibrant with organisations like Ninasam, Ranga Shankara, Rangayana and Prabhat Kalavidaru continuing to build on the foundations laid by Gubbi Veeranna, T. P. Kailasam, B. V. Karanth, K V Subbanna, Prasanna and others. Veeragase, Kamsale, Kolata and Dollu Kunitha are popular dance forms. The Mysore style of Bharatanatya, nurtured and popularised by the likes of the legendary Jatti Tayamma, continues to hold sway in Karnataka, and Bangalore also enjoys an eminent place as one of the foremost centres of Bharatanatya.

Karnataka also has a special place in the world of Indian classical music, with both Karnataka (Carnatic) and Hindustani styles finding place in the state, and Karnataka has produced a number of stalwarts in both styles. The Haridasa movement of the sixteenth century contributed significantly to the development of Karnataka (Carnatic) music as a performing art form. Purandara Dasa, one of the most revered Haridasas, is known as the Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha (‘Father of Karnataka a.k.a. Carnatic music’). Celebrated Hindustani musicians like Gangubai Hangal, Mallikarjun Mansur, Bhimsen Joshi, Basavaraja Rajaguru, Sawai Gandharva and several others hail from Karnataka, and some of them have been recipients of the Kalidas Samman, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards. Noted Carnatic musicians include Violin T. Chowdiah, Veena Sheshanna, Mysore Vasudevachar, Doreswamy Iyengar and Thitte Krishna Iyengar.

Gamaka is another classical music genre based on Carnatic music that is practised in Karnataka. Kannada Bhavageete is a genre of popular music that draws inspiration from the expressionist poetry of modern poets. The Mysore school of painting has produced painters like Sundarayya, Tanjavur Kondayya, B. Venkatappa and Keshavayya. Chitrakala Parishat is an organisation in Karnataka dedicated to promoting painting, mainly in the Mysore painting style.

Saree is the traditional dress of women in Karnataka. Women in Kodagu have a distinct style of wearing the saree, different from the rest of Karnataka. Dhoti, known as Panche in Karnataka, is the traditional attire of men. Shirt, Trousers and Salwar kameez are widely worn in Urban areas. Mysore Peta is the traditional headgear of southern Karnataka, while the pagadi or pataga (similar to the Rajasthani turban) is preferred in the northern areas of the state.

Rice and Ragi form the staple food in South Karnataka, whereas Jolada rotti, Sorghum is staple to North Karnataka. Bisi bele bath, Jolada rotti, Ragi mudde, Uppittu, Benne Dose, Masala Dose and Maddur Vade are some of the popular food items in Karnataka. Among sweets, Mysore Pak, Karadantu of Gokak and Amingad, Belgaavi Kunda and Dharwad pedha are popular. Apart from this, coastal Karnataka and Kodagu have distinctive cuisines of their own. Udupi cuisine of coastal Karnataka is popular all over India.

Kannada is the official language of the state of Karnataka, as the native language of 66.5% of its population as of 2011 and is one of the classical languages of India. Other linguistic minorities in the state were Urdu , Telugu , Tamil , Marathi , Hindi , Tulu , Konkani , Malayalam and Kodava Takk .

Kannada played a crucial role in the creation of Karnataka: linguistic demographics played a major role in defining the new state in 1956. Tulu, Konkani and Kodava are other minor native languages that share a long history in the state. Urdu is spoken widely by the Muslim population. Less widely spoken languages include Beary bashe and certain languages such as Sankethi. Some of the regional languages in Karnataka are Tulu, Kodava, Konkani and Beary.

Kannada features a rich and ancient body of literature including religious and secular genre, covering topics as diverse as Jainism (such as Puranas), Lingayatism (such as Vachanas), Vaishnavism (such as Haridasa Sahitya) and modern literature.

VIBRANT GUJARAT

Gujarat is a state on the western coast of India with a coastline of 1,600 km – most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula – and a population of 60.4 million. It is the fifth-largest Indian state by area and the ninth-largest state by population. Gujarat is bordered by Rajasthan to the northeast, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to the south, Maharashtra to the southeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and the Arabian Sea and the Pakistani province of Sindh to the west. Its capital city is Gandhinagar, while its largest city is Ahmedabad. The Gujarati people of India are indigenous to the state, and their language Gujarati, is the state’s official language. The economy of Gujarat is the fifth-largest in India, with a gross state domestic product GSDP of ₹18.5 trillion and has the country’s 11th-highest GSDP per capita of ₹216,000 . Gujarat ranks 21st among Indian states in human development index. The state traditionally has low unemployment and is widely considered one of the most industrially developed states of India and a manufacturing hub.

The state encompasses some sites of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, such as Lothal, Dholavira and Gola Dhoro. Lothal is believed to be one of the world’s first seaports. Gujarat’s coastal cities, chiefly Bharuch and Khambhat, served as ports and trading centres in the Maurya and Gupta empires, and during the succession of royal Saka dynasties from the Western Satraps era.[citation needed] Along with Bihar, Mizoram and Nagaland, Gujarat is one of four Indian states to prohibit the sale of alcohol. The Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is home to the only wild population of the Asiatic lion in the world

Gujarati food is primarily vegetarian. The typical Gujarati thali consists of rotli or bhakhari or thepala or rotlo, dal or kadhi, khichdi, Bhat and shak. Athanu (Indian pickle) and chhundo are used as condiments. The four major regions of Gujarat all bring their own styles to Gujarati food. Many Gujarati dishes are distinctively sweet, salty, and spicy at the same time. In the Saurashtra region, chhash (buttermilk) is believed to be a must-have in their daily food.

Gujarati folk music, known as Sugam Sangeet, is a hereditary profession of the Barot, Gadhvi and Charan communities. The omnipresent instruments in Gujarati folk music include wind instruments, such as turi, bungal, and pava, string instruments, such as the ravan hattho, ektaro, and jantar and percussion instruments, such as the manjira and zanz pot drum.

The folk traditions of Gujarat include bhavai and raas-garba. Bhavai is a folk theatre; it is partly entertainment and partly ritual, and is dedicated to Amba. The raas-garba is a folk dance done as a celebration of Navratri by Gujarati people. The folk costume of this dance is chaniya choli for women and kedia for men. Different styles and steps of garba include dodhiyu, simple five, simple seven, popatiyu, trikoniya (hand movement which forms an imagery triangle), lehree, tran taali, butterfly, hudo, two claps and many more. Sheri garba is one of the oldest form of garba where all the women wear red patola sari and sing along while dancing. It is a very graceful form of garba. Makar Sankranti is a festival where people of Gujarat fly kites. In Gujarat, from December through to Makar Sankranti, people start enjoying kite flying. Undhiyu, a special dish made of various vegetables, is a must-have of Gujarati people on Makar Sankranti. Surat is especially well known for the strong string which is made by applying glass powder on the row thread to provide it a cutting edge.

Gujarat’s natural environment includes the Great Rann of Kutch and the hills of Saputara, and it is the sole home of pure Asiatic lions in the world. During the historic reigns of the sultans, Hindu craftsmanship blended with Islamic architecture, giving rise to the Indo-Saracenic style. Many structures in the state are built in this fashion. It is also the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, great iconic figures of India’s Independence movement. Amitabh Bachchan is currently the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism.

Gujarat has a variety of museums on different genres that are run by the state’s Department of Museums located at the principal state museum, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery in Vadodara, which is also the location of the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. The Kirti Mandir, Porbandar, Sabarmati Ashram, and Kaba Gandhi No Delo are museums related to Mahatma Gandhi, the former being the place of his birth and the latter two where he lived in his lifetime. Kaba Gandhi No Delo in Rajkot exhibits part of a rare collection of photographs relating to the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Sabarmati Ashram is the place where Gandhi initiated the Dandi March. On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence.

MUSIC – A GOOD COMPANION!!!

We may live in different place, different state, different country but we a got together by music. Would you agree if say like that? Yes, music is a good companion which helps us to express our feelings. It may be any form of music but we may feel accompanied with music rather than being lonely. Let me tell you about how music has an great effect on us.

Music is something that we enjoy as a part of our life. It accompanies us from birth to death. During our childhood, our parents and grandparents used to sing songs to make us sleep. Crying is a kind of music. When we woke up, we can hear the birds chirpping and trees rustling which is the most lovely feel in the morning. Music is everywhere, all we need is to open our ears to listen to it.

One who knows to create music on their own with musical instruments is called a Musician. The different music instruments include – Percussion, Brass, String, woodwind and keyboard. Brass music instruments are played using mouth. Those instruments include Trombone, Trumpet etc. String music instruments give rythym to music and those instruments include Guitar, Veena, Violin etc.

Some musical instruments

Percussion musical instruments gives main beat and feel to the song and those include Drums, Tabla, Dolak etc. Woodwind instruments are made of wood and they are also played using mounth like brass instruments and these instrument include Flute. The keyboard consists of keys which has high pitches.When you add another voice to an instrument, it is called singing and is a vital part of the music. When people who play different instruments come together to play them together, it is called a band.

There are different genres of music such as rock, pop, classical, blues, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, etc. All of these genres of music are characterized by how the instruments work together. Rock music is often louder and is played using percussion and string instruments. In Jazz music, Saxophone is very popular. In this modern world, the newest genres of music is electronic dance music (EDM) which consists of loud percussive beats and is very popular to young people.

We all have our favorite music director, singer, band, etc. Music is a universal language that unite people regardless of boundaries. This has the sense of familiarity among the people. Eventhough, we don’t understand the meaning of the lyrics of a song, we like it because of the tune and voice. Music is not just a sound but a communicable language which makes feel good. I love to hear music when am alone. But I used to play music when I am with my friends and family and it unites us very much. Listening to your favourite song can completely uplift your mood if you are feeling down. Everybody has their own kind of music that they love, which is why it is special to us all in our own unique ways.

Unique Music Quotes With Images In English - Premium Quotes Only

My best advice for you is to enjoy the music when you are alone and enjoy more than that when you are with your family. This feel cannot be explained in words and you’ll understand by experiencing it. Often hear songs; make everyone around you happy. Be happy; lead a helathy life.

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THE SOUL OF INCREDIBLE INDIA – ODISHA

Odisha , formerly Orissa , is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of Scheduled Tribes in India. It neighbours the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west, Andhra Pradesh to the south, and a very negligible border with Telangana to the southwest. Odisha has a coastline of 485 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal. The region is also known as Utkala and is mentioned in India’s national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”. The language of Odisha is Odia, which is one of the Classical Languages of India.

The ancient kingdom of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (which was again won back from them by king Kharavela) in 261 BCE resulting in the Kalinga War (The lethal war with Kalinga transformed the vengeful Emperor Ashoka into a stable and peaceful emperor, and he became a patron of Buddhism), coincides with the borders of modern-day Odisha. The modern boundaries of Odisha were demarcated by the British Indian government when Orissa Province was established on 1 April 1936, consisting of the Odia-speaking districts of Bihar and Orissa Province. The first of April is celebrated as Utkala Dibasa. Cuttack was made the capital of the region by Anantavarman Chodaganga in c. 1135, after which the city was used as the capital by many rulers, through the British era until 1948. Thereafter, Bhubaneswar became the capital of Odisha.

The economy of Odisha is the 16th-largest state economy in India with ₹5.33 lakh crore in gross domestic product and a per capita GDP of ₹116,614 . Odisha ranks 32nd among Indian states in human development index.

CUISINE –
Odisha has a culinary tradition spanning centuries. The kitchen of the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri is reputed to be the largest in the world, with 1,000 chefs, working around 752 wood-burning clay hearths called chulas, to feed over 10,000 people each day.

The syrupy dessert Pahala rasagola made in Odisha is known throughout the world. Chhenapoda is another major Odisha sweet cuisine, which originated in Nayagarh. Dalma (a mix of dal and selected vegetables) is widely known cuisine, better served with ghee.

The “Odisha Rasagola” was awarded a GI tag 29 July 2019 after a long battle about the origin of the famous sweet with West Bengal.

DANCE –
Odissi dance and music are classical art forms. Odissi is the oldest surviving dance form in India on the basis of archaeological evidence. Odissi has a long, unbroken tradition of 2,000 years, and finds mention in the Natyashastra of Bharatamuni, possibly written c. 200 BC. However, the dance form nearly became extinct during the British period, only to be revived after India’s independence by a few gurus.

The variety of dances includes Ghumura Dance, Chhau dance, Jhumair, Mahari dance, Dalkhai and Gotipua.

TOURISM –
The Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar has a 150-foot high deula while the Jagannath Temple, Puri is about 200 feet high and dominates the skyline. Only a portion of the Konark Sun Temple at Konark in Puri district, the largest of the temples of the “Holy Golden Triangle” exists today, and it is still staggering in size. It stands out as a masterpiece in Odisha architecture. Sarala Temple, regarded as one of the most spiritually elevated expressions of Shaktism is in Jagatsinghpur district. It is also one of the holiest places in Odisha and a major tourist attraction. Maa Tarini Temple situated in Kendujhar district is also a famous pilgrimage destination. Every day thousands of coconuts are given to Maa Tarini by devotees for fulfilling their wishes.

Odisha’ s varying topography – from the wooded Eastern Ghats to the fertile river basin – has proven ideal for evolution of compact and unique ecosystems. This creates treasure troves of flora and fauna that are inviting to many migratory species of birds and reptiles. Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district is famous for its second largest mangrove ecosystem. The bird sanctuary in Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lake). The tiger reserve and waterfalls in Simlipal National Park, Mayurbhanj district are integral parts of eco-tourism in Odisha, arranged by Odisha Tourism.

Daringbadi is a hill station in the Kandhamal district. It is known as “Kashmir of Odisha”, for its climatic similarity. Chandipur, in Baleswar district is a calm and serene site, is mostly unexplored by tourists. The unique specialty of this beach is the ebb tides that recede up to 4 km and tend to disappear rhythmically.

In the western part of Odisha, Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur district is the longest earthen dam in the World. It also forms the biggest artificial lake in Asia. The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near Hirakud Dam. Samaleswari Temple is a Hindu temple in Sambalpur city, dedicated to the goddess known as ‘Samaleswari’, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, is a strong religious force in western part of Odisha and Chhattisgarh state. The Leaning Temple of Huma is located near Sambalpur. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Bimaleshwar. Sri Sri Harishankar Devasthana, is a temple on the slopes of Gandhamardhan hills, Balangir district. It is popular for its scenes of nature and connection to two Hindu lords, Vishnu and Shiva. On the opposite side of the Gandhamardhan hills is the temple of Sri Nrusinghanath, is situated at the foothills of Gandhamardhan Hill near Paikmal, Bargarh district.

In the southern part of Odisha, The Taratarini Temple on the Kumari hills at the bank of the Rushikulya river near Berhampur city in Ganjam district. Here worshiped as the Breast Shrine (Sthana Peetha) and manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major ancient Tantra Peetha and Shakti Peethas in India. Deomali is a mountain peak of the Eastern Ghats. It is located in Koraput district. This peak with an elevation of about 1,672 m, is the highest peak in Odisha.

The share of foreign tourists’ arrival in the state is below one percent of total foreign tourist arrivals at all India level.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is an adjunctive technique that utilizes hypnosis to aid in the treatment of specific symptoms or health conditions. Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state marked by waking awareness that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences. It is sometimes used as part of a treatment plan for phobias and other anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes used for pain management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and a variety of other applications. Formal explorations in the therapeutic uses for hypnosis began in the late 1700s but did not gain scientific credibility until much more recently. Modern researchers have further explored how hypnosis can be used, which conditions it can treat, and how effective it may be compared to other treatments.

What Hypnotherapy Can Help With

There are many different reasons why a person might want to try hypnotherapy. Research suggests that some possible applications include:

  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Dementia symptoms
  • Nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy
  • Pain during childbirth, dental procedures, or surgery
  • Skin conditions, such as psoriasis and warts
  • Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Hypnotherapy may also be used by licensed physicians and psychologists in the treatment of conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Some people may experience dramatic results with hypnotherapy. In other cases, people may simply feel very relaxed. Some of the benefits of hypnotherapy may include:

  • Awareness: Some people remain fully aware during the entire experience. They recall everything that happens and are even able to have conversations while under hypnosis. Other people may experience states of relaxation that are so deep that they may even feel detached from what is happening.
  • Focus: Most of the time, we are distracted by our surroundings. Whether the TV is blaring, your kids are demanding attention or your spouse wants to talk, it can be difficult to fully focus on yourself. Our conscious minds are also cluttered. You may be worried about paying a bill, concerned about an upcoming project, or planning tonight’s dinner. The therapy session is intended to break through these day-to-day concerns and allow you to focus completely on the problem at hand.
  • Relaxation: In the hypnotic state, you are deeply relaxed. Your conscious mind is quieted, allowing your unconscous mind to deeply focus on your issue. You are also calmer, and therefore more receptive to facing your problems or fears.

Most hypnotherapists utilize a series of calming messages, such as “you are safe” and “no one can harm you” to reassure their clients that during hypnosis they can objectively face their problems without having a panicked reaction.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness and impact of hypnotherapy can vary based on the individual and how the treatment is used. Hypnotherapy has been shown to have some degree of efficacy for certain applications, particularly:

  • Pain reduction and control during dental procedures and childbirth
  • Reduction in nausea and vomiting in individuals being treated for cancer with chemotherapy
  • Reduction in the severity of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

While it may help people cope with problems related to stress and anxiety, it may be best applied when used in conjunction with first-line treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and medications.

Things to Consider

While hypnotherapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, that does not mean that it doesn’t pose some potential risks, such as: 

  • Hypnotherapy can produce false or distorted memories in some cases.
  • People who are very suggestible may experience a decreased sense of personal control while under hypnosis.
  • Some people can experience side effects such as anxiety, headaches, or dizziness.
  • Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for people who are experiencing symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions

Common Misconceptions

Hypnotherapy is still considered controversial, as many mental health professionals dispute its effectiveness. There are a number of myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy that can affect how people view this therapeutic tool.

  • Hypnotherapy is often confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnotists are performers who are excellent at reading people. They seekextroverts who will put on a great show for the crowd. Whether or not their subjects are truly hypnotized is debatable, but they are willing to go along with the sometimes outrageous suggestions of the stage hypnotist.
  • Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to forget what happened. You will remember the things that occur during your hypnotic state, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to break the hypnotic trance at any time.
  • Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to lose control. During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. It is not possible for anyone to force you to do anything against your will, even under hypnosis. You will be tuned in to the work at hand, and so may not pay attention to your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviors, and statements.
  • Being hypnotizable doesn’t mean you are less intelligent. While some people believe that they cannot be hypnotized, research suggests that most people are hypnotizable to a certain degree. Only about 10% of people are difficult or impossible to hypnotize.

DEEPIKA KUMARI – INDIAN ARCHER!!!

Everyone in the world have some unique talent. The talent to do something vary from person to person. Yes, I believe I have the talent of writing articles. I would say this is my unique talent. Likewise, we haven’t heard a lot about the so called unpopular games. Archery is not as famous a cricket. But Archery is a wonderful sport. The people who has interest in this is also low. This game needs a free and concentrated mind. In this game, concentration plays a major role. Let me ask you a question? Do you know the name of any archers in India? Have you heard of Deepika Kumari? I would say I have heard her name and now I know about her a little bit by writing this article. Come on! Let’s see about Deepika Kumari.

Deepika Kumari Mahato was born on 13th June 1994 in Ranchi, Jharkand. Her father, Shivnarayan Mahato, is an auto-driver and her mother Geeta Mahato, a nurse at Ranchi Medical College. Her interest in Archery came from hitting the mangoes with stones. Many of us did this, but this has laid the strong foundation for her archery career. Deepika’s family was financially unstable and they cannot buy her new equipments to practice. So she used bamboo bow and arrow. After that her cousin helped her to develop and improve her talent.

DEEPIKA KUMARI

DEEPIKA’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER:

  • She made her breakthrough in 2005, by entering the Arjun Archery academy run by Wife of Jharkand Chief Minister Arjun Munda.
  • Her professional career started in 2006 by joining Tata Archery Academy in Jhamsedpur. After being sent there, she had uniform and professional equipments and she praticed hard. She only returned home after three years, by winning Cadet World Championship title in November 2009. She is the one to get first medal for India in Archery.
  • Deepika became the second women to win the World Archery Competition held in 2006.
  • She won the 11th Youth World Archery Championship in 2009 at her age of fifteen.
  • In 2010 Common Wealth Games, She won two medals, one in individual event and the other in team event. In the same year, she was awarded Outstanding performance at CWG in the women’s catergory at the Sahara Sports ceremony.
  • In the 2010 Asian games, she lost in the individual Archery game to a North Korean player in the Bronze-level playoffs. But as a recurve team defeated Taipei of China in the Bronze-level playoffs.
  • In 2012, She won her first Word Cup individual stage, held in Turkey.
  • In London Olymbics 2012, She lost to Amy Oliver of Britain in the opening rounds due to relatively high fevers and winds.
  • In July 2013, she won the gold medal in Archey World Cup stage 3 held at Mendellin.
  • In September 2013, she won silver in the FITA Archery World Cup.
  • In 2015, in Stage 3 Archery world Cup, she won bronze in the individual event. She won team Silver with her teammates in the same World Cup.
  • In November 2015, she won a bronze medal in the Asian Championship with Jayanth Taldukar in the Recurve Mixed Team event.
  • In April 2016, at the first stage of the World Cup in Shangai, Deepika equaled the Ki-Bo-Bae’s world record of (686/720) in the women’s recurve event.
  • In November 2019, Deepika Kumari secured an Olympic quota at the Continental Qualification Tournament being held on the sidelines of the 21st Asian Archery Championships in Bangkok.
  • She won three gold medals In Stage Three World Cup held in Paris 2021.
  • She recorded the 13th triple gold and became the 11th archer to achieve the feat – in the 15-year history of the Hyundai Archery World Cup.

In 2017, a Biographical Documentry called Ladies First, flimed the life of Deepika Kumari. This movie won at London Independent Festival and was screened in  Mallorca Film Festival in October 2017. This movie has also been submitted in Short Documentary category at Oscars.

Deepika Kumari - Wikipedia
PadmaSri awarded by Hon’ble Pranab Mukerjee.

AWARDS WON BY DEEPIKA KUMARI

  • 2012 – Arjuna Award by the Government of India
  • 2014 – FICCI Sportsperson of the Year Award
  • 2016 – Padmasri by the Government of India
  • 2017 – Young Achievers award which is felicitated by Vogue.

Read more;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepika_Kumari

Indian princess who married a Korean King – Heo hwang ok

The Indian princess who became a South Korean queen - BBC News

Ayodhya, which is best known as the birthplace of the Hindu god Ram. Also, however, holds special significance for some South Koreans – many believe they can trace their ancestry to the city. This belief comes from several historical Korean stories, which tell the story of an Indian princess – Suriratna – who married a South Korean king and started a dynasty.

Legends say, Princess Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok, went to Korea in 48 AD, some 2000 years ago, and started the Karak dynasty by marrying a local king. Some Chinese-language texts claim that the then King of Ayodhya had a dream where God ordered him to send his 16-year-old daughter to South Korea to marry King Kim Suro.

Queen Hwang-ok was the princess of the “Ayuta” kingdom, according to Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), a popular South Korean book of fables and historical stories. The royal pair was successful. They had a total of 12 sons and lived to be over 150 years old. While children in Korea generally adopt their father’s surname, the queen was disappointed that her offspring would not be able to bear her surname. As a result, King Suro allowed two of their sons to keep her name (Heo), which is still used today.” According to historians, the couple’s descendants number more than six million, or nearly 10% of the South Korean population.

People from the Karak dynasty have also preserved the rocks that are said to have been used by the princess during her sea voyage to Korea to keep her boat stable.

An anthropologist named Kim Byung-mo Ayuta appeared to confirm the widely held belief that Ayuta was actually Ayodhya, as the two names are phonetically similar.

An agreement was signed to develop Ayodhya and Gimhae as sister cities in 2000.

Then in 2001, more than 100 historians and government representatives, including the North Korea ambassador to India, unveiled Queen Hwang-ok’s memorial on the west bank of the River Saryu in Ayodhya.

In 2016, a Korean team presented the Uttar Pradesh Government with a proposal to expand the memorial. On the eve of Diwali, South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook lay the foundation stone for the enlargement and beautification of the current memorial on November 6, 2018. She paid her respects at the Queen Heo Memorial, attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the memorial’s upgrade and beautification, and joined the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, at an elaborate Diwali celebration in Ayodhya that included cultural shows and the lighting of 300,000+ lights on the banks of the Saryu River.

As per reports, every year, hundreds of South Koreans visit Ayodhya for paying homage to their legendary queen Heo Hwang-ok.

AWESOME ASSAM

Assam is is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of 78,438 km^2. The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur to the east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to the west via the Siliguri Corridor, a 22 kilometres wide strip of land that connects the state to the rest of India. Assamese is the official and most commonly spoken language of the state, followed by Bengali, which is official in the Barak Valley and Bodo which is official in Bodoland Territorial Region.

Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk. The state was the first site for oil drilling in Asia. Assam is home to the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, along with the wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, tiger and various species of Asiatic birds, and provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. The Assamese economy is aided by wildlife tourism to Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park, which are World Heritage Sites. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is famed for its feral horses. Sal tree forests are found in the state which, as a result of abundant rainfall, look green all year round. Assam receives more rainfall than most parts of India; this rain feeds the Brahmaputra River, whose tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with a hydro-geomorphic environment.

Assamese Culture is traditionally a hybrid one developed due to assimilation of ethno-cultural groups of Austric, Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman and Tai origin in the past. Therefore, both local elements or the local elements in Sanskritised forms are distinctly found.

The modern culture has been influenced by events in the British and the post-British era. The language was standardised by American Baptist Missionaries such as Nathan Brown, Dr. Miles Bronson and local pundits such as Hemchandra Barua with the form available in the Sibsagar (Sivasagar) District (the ex-nerve centre of the Ahom Kingdom).[citation needed]

Increasing efforts of standardisation in the 20th century alienated the localised forms present in different areas and with the less-assimilated ethno-cultural groups (many source-cultures). However, Assamese culture in its hybrid form and nature is one of the richest, still developing and in true sense is a ‘cultural system’ with sub-systems. Many source-cultures of the Assamese cultural-system are still surviving either as sub-systems or as sister entities, e.g. the; Bodo or Karbi or Mishing. It is important to keep the broader system closer to its roots and at the same time focus on development of the sub-systems.

Some of the common and unique cultural traits in the region are peoples’ respect towards areca-nut and betel leaves, symbolic (gamosa, arnai, etc.), traditional silk garments (e.g. mekhela chador, traditional dress of Assamese women) and towards forefathers and elderly. Moreover, great hospitality and bamboo culture are common.

Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. Bihu dances are performed by young boys and girls during the Bihu festivities which represent youthful passion, reproductive urge, and joy.It is characterized by brisk dance steps, and rapid hand movement. Dancers wear traditionally colorful Assamese clothing.