Tag: Cultural diversity

Dance forms of India

India is a land of rich cultural diversity and heritage, and dance is an integral part of its culture. Indian dances have a long history, with some forms dating back several thousand years. Each dance form is unique in its own way, with its own distinct style, costume, and music.

Source – Pinterest

Here are some of the most popular dance forms in India:

  1. Bharatanatyam: Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form from Tamil Nadu in South India. It is one of the oldest dance forms in India, with a history that dates back over 2,000 years. Bharatanatyam is known for its graceful movements, intricate footwork, and expressive hand gestures. The dance form is usually performed solo and is accompanied by Carnatic music.

  2. Kathak: Kathak is a classical dance form from North India that originated in the Mughal courts. It is characterized by fast footwork and intricate spins. The dance form tells stories through its movements, with the dancer using facial expressions, hand gestures, and body movements to convey different emotions. Kathak is usually accompanied by Hindustani music.

  3. Kuchipudi: Kuchipudi is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh in South India. It is known for its fluid movements and storytelling through dance. The dance form has a history that dates back over 2,000 years and is performed to both Carnatic and Hindustani music. Kuchipudi is usually performed by a group of dancers and is characterized by its use of colorful costumes and makeup.

  4. Manipuri: Manipuri is a classical dance form from Manipur in Northeast India. It is known for its graceful movements and use of vibrant costumes and props. Manipuri tells stories through its movements, with the dancer using facial expressions, hand gestures, and body movements to convey different emotions. The dance form is usually accompanied by classical Manipuri music.

  5. Mohiniattam: Mohiniattam is a classical dance form from Kerala in South India. It is known for its slow and graceful movements and storytelling through dance. The dance form is usually performed by a solo dancer and is accompanied by classical music. Mohiniattam is characterized by its use of white and gold costumes and jewelry.

  6. Kathakali: Kathakali is a classical dance form from Kerala in South India. It is known for its elaborate makeup, costumes, and facial expressions that tell stories from Hindu mythology. The dance form has a history that dates back over 500 years and is usually performed by a group of male dancers. Kathakali is accompanied by classical music and percussion.

  7. Bhangra: Bhangra is a folk dance form from Punjab in North India. It is characterized by energetic movements and is often performed to celebrate harvest festivals. Bhangra is usually performed by a group of dancers and is accompanied by traditional Punjabi music and instruments.

  8. Garba: Garba is a folk dance form from Gujarat in West India. It is performed in a circular formation and is known for its energetic movements and use of colorful costumes. Garba is usually performed during Navratri, a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.

  9. Odissi: Odissi is one of the famous classical Indian dances from Odisha. It is generally based on themes of Dashavatar, Lord Krishna’s love and Lord Jagannath’s Philosophy. It is a graceful and sensous dance style and involves tribhanga( three bends) posture. The Tribhanga posture symbolises the means to escape the limitations of the body.

In conclusion, India has a rich and diverse dance culture that is deeply rooted in its history and traditions. Each dance form is unique in its own way and reflects the cultural diversity of India. From classical dances to folk dances, India has something to offer for everyone who is interested in dance.

5 must-visit places in Bhubaneshwar

 

Lingaraja Temple

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The 54m-high Lingaraj Mandir dedicated to Shiva dates from 1090 to 1104 – though some parts are more than 1400 years old–and is surrounded by several smaller temples and shrines. The granite block within, representing Tribhubaneswar (Lord of Three Worlds), is bathed daily with water, milk and bhang (marijuana). The main gate, guarded by two mustachioed yellow lions, is a spectacle in itself as lines of pilgrims approach with offerings in hand. The temple is closed to non-Hindus.

Given the high compound wall, foreigners can view the temple’s interiors only from a viewing platform (this may also include Hindu foreigners). Face the main entrance, walk right, then follow the wall around to the left and find the viewing platform on your left, just before you reach Chitrakarini Temple. There is occasional aggressive hassling for ‘donations’ at the viewing platform. The money will not go to the temple, so stand your ground and do not pay.

Location: Lingaraj Road, Old Town Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fees: No entry fee

Nandankanan Zoological Park

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Spread over 400 hectares in the Chandaka forest lies the impressive Nandankanan Zoological Park. Located on the banks of Kanjia Lake, this zoo is home to over 67 kinds of mammals, 81 species of birds and 18 varieties of reptiles. It was the first zoo in India to join the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and also houses a botanical garden. Visitors can see black panthers, white tigers, gharial crocodiles and many other animals, birds and reptiles in an attempt to maintain the natural balance of nature against the growing urbanisation of Bhubaneswar.

Price: Budget

Opening hours: 7.30am-5.30pm (April–September), 8am-5pm (October–March); Closed Monday.

Odisha State Museum

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Wondering what to do in Bhubaneswar? Visit Odisha State Museum, which houses a treasure trove of artifacts emphasizing the magnificent history of the state and the families which ruled it for centuries. The museum, established in the year 1948, houses the best collection of erratic palm-leaf manuscripts, scroll paintings, folk musical instruments, and Bronze Age tools.

Location: Near Lewis Road, Kalpana Square, BJB Nagar Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Timings: 10 AM to 5.00 PM
Entry Fees: INR 10 for Indians and INR 50 for foreigners

Pathani Samanta Planetarium 

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The Pathani Samanta Planetarium was recognized to create awareness of astrophysics, astronomy, and space science. Multiple shows, workshops, regular conferences about outer space are organized here. There is an extensive library with an impressive number of books from the field of astronomy, science and technology are there.

Location: Sachivalaya Marg Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Timings: 1.00 PM to 5:45 PM
Entry Fees: INR 30

Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves

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Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are located six kilometres to the west of Bhubaneswar. These caves offer a brief look into the history of Jain religion and Kalinga Empire. The names of these caves were derived from the hills on which they are located. The caves have been numbered according to the Archaeological Survey of India, Hatigumpha, and Ganesha Gumpha are the most popular in the area. Cave 1 is decked out by sculptural wall painting with carved figures of athletes, women, elephants, and geese carrying flowers.

Location: Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Timings: 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Entry Fees: INR 15 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners

7 intriguing facts of Jagannath Puri

 Shri Jagannath’s Temple in Puri has uttermost importance for the Hindu devotees as it is one of the Char-Dham pilgrimages i.e. Puri, Dwaraka, Badrinath, and Rameshwar. This temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, but that’s not the sole reason people worship Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra and elder brother Lord Balabhadra.

Jagannath Puri is also famous for the mysteries and undefinable facts that catch the traveler’s eye worldwide. Devotees believe that all these are blessings of Lord Jagannath, and people who consider these as myths should visit the place themselves and find themselves dumbfounded. So, here are some most intriguing facts about Jagannath Puri.

1. No birds, no planes fly above the Lord

They say no one’s above God, so nothing flies above it. It’ll leave you surprised to encounter such a divine miracle that no birds, no planes fly above the temple. This is a rare contrast compared to other temples, as we have always seen birds resting on the top of temples are other entities. The temple is considered as a no-fly zone, not by any state government orders but by the Lord himself. And this phenomenon apparently has no scientific explanation.

2. Flag defying the power of wind

All of us know that any cloth flows towards wind direction, be it the sails of ship or the kites we flew in our childhoods. But here, the flag that flies atop of the Jagannath temple is an exception to this common principle. No scientific explanations reason the flag flow in the opposite direction of wind.

3. Mute oceans

Odisha Tourism : Puri Beach
As soon as you step inside the main door, i.e. Singha Dwara entrance of the temple, you can’t hear the burble of water. And this phenomenon is more prominent in the evenings. But once you step out the audibility of water returns. It’s said that Devi Subhadra wished for serenity inside the temple walls and by this her wish was duly fulfilled.

4. Neela Chakra at the pinnacle

The riddle of Neela Chakra (Blue wheel) has still been unsolved. First, just think about the fact, how did the wheel made of 8 different alloys and a 36 feet circumference get up there at the pinnacle with just a human force of that century. Second, the view of this wheel doesn’t really depend on the direction that we look at it from. It’s like it was designed to look the same from all directions.

5. The temple casts no shadows

Every small object/thing/ peoples have shadows. But ever wondered what if something doesn’t have a shadow? The temple Jagannath Puri doesn’t cast any shadow on any part of the day under sunlight. If this is not a miracle, what would it be; just an unexplained phenomenon with no scientific reason to back up.

6. The magical techniques to cook

The traditional methods for cooking the mahaprasadam have been preserved here from the start. They place exactly 7 pots, one above the other on the firewood. Enchantingly, the upper pot gets cooked first, followed by the rest in order.

7. Mahaprasad never goes vain here

In India, wasting food is considered as a bad sign; the temple crew lives by this same. So, here at Jagannath temple the food is never futile, even if the crowd of devotees may vary from 2,000 to 2,00,000. Miraculously, the Parsadam prepared every day is never wasted, not even a bite. Could this be an effective management or the Lord’s will?

After reading such celestial facts, you might want to see them yourself. So, do not forget to check these facts on your next trip to Odisha and share your experience with me.

Cultural diversity and it's types

Cultural diversity and it’s types

Cultural diversity

The things you do and the practices you were taught inform who you become . Culture is a broad term that encompasses beliefs , values , norms , behaviours, and overall can be understood as our ” way of being”. 

Everyone has their own culture and beliefs . In India also people follow different cultures, every state has their own culture even the every place has their own culture and people of that place follow it .

Cultural diversity is about appreciating that society is made up of many different groups with different interests, skills, talents and needs . It also means that you recognise that people in society can have different religious beliefs and sexual orientation to you .

Importance of culture 

Cultural diversity is important everywhere as every person has their own culture so if we work on a company different people of different cultures are present there and all of them has their own cultural belief so it is important to understand everyone culture and work according to that .
As everyone follow their culture their thinking is also different so it gives out creative and innovative ideas when these ideas are combined one more idea will come up with that which provide benefit to the company.

Types of cultural diversity 

1. Cultural diversity – 

This type of diversity is related to each person’s ethnicity and it’s usually the set of norms we get from the society we were raised in our families values. Having different cultures in the workplace is more common in multinational companies.

2. Race diversity – 

Race has to do with a person’s grouping based on physical traits ( despite the dominant scientific view that race is a socialist construct and not biologically defined ) . Examples of races are Caucasian , African , Latino , and Asian.

3. Religious diversity – 

This type of diversity refers to the presence of multiple religions and spiritual beliefs ( including lack thereof ) in the workplace.

4. Age diversity – 

Age diversity means working with people of different ages and , most importantly, generations. For example, millennials, GenZers and GenXers can coexist in the same workplace.

5. Sex / Gender / Sexual orientation – 

Sex and gender can be used in the traditional sense of male and female employees. For example, you may sometimes hear the term “gender balance” used by companies trying to achieve a 50- 50 balance between employees who identify as female. But as gender is increasingly redefined, the term ” gender diversity” may be more appropriate, since there are multiple variations in gender and sexual orientation.

6. Disability – 

There are various types of disabilities or chronic conditions included here, ranging from mental to physical. Companies often make reasonable accommodations to help people with disabilities integrate into the workplace, such as installing ramps for wheelchairs or providing mental health support. Some companies also adjust their hiring process to make sure it’s inclusive.