The book collects 14 stories centred around Karnataka, which also includes a preface and an epilogue. Murty highlights the hybridisation of culture, food habits and language, particularly in Karnataka's northern region. She reiterates the statement, "No wonder it's said for every 150 kilometres that you travel in our country, you will see a change in food habits and dressing style" (p. x),
Norbulingka, nestled in Dharmsala, Uttarakhand, India, surpassed my expectations. What I had assumed was a typical monastery turned out to be a centre of varied cultural activity. Norbulingka Institute, as I reflected on the title once again, with the tagline 'Heart of Tibetan Culture,' I found the centre doing justice to it.
Naya Theatre, curated by Habib Tanvir in 1959, aimed to reverse the colonial trajectory of Indian theatre while connecting it to India's culture and tradition. Tanvir is known mainly for two interventions in Indian Theatre. The first was that he introduced local artists in his performance, and the second was that he broke away from the proscenium theatre into diverse spaces. He adopted the folk form Nacha of Chhattisgarh, in which music and songs play a complementary role in the performance.
These elements that promote the Karyavastas are called as Arthaprakritis – the causations. They are five. (1) Bija – Germ, (2) Bindu – Prominent point (3) Pataka – Episode (4) Prakari – sub-story and (5) Karya – denouement.
I was familiar with Hussain's writing and his reflections on partition through his novel Basti (shortlisted for the Man Booker in 2013), which was part of my bachelor's syllabus. Through this book, Day And Dastan, which collects two novellas into one, I once again got an opportunity to peek into the fragmented and dilapidated world of Hussain, caused by partition
Once again, due to a conference scheduled at the Humanities Department, I got a chance to explore it. It's been over a month since I visited BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan and I must say, now and then I keep going back to it, a part of it is due to the lovely people I met there and partly due to the campus to which I fell in love with
During my bachelor's days, I remember preparing an itinerary for Dharamsala and McLeodganj, since I was passionate about starting my own travel agency. As far as I could recall, I did include 'Triund Trek' in the itinerary back then. However, after seven years of writing and accomplishing the Triund trek, I feel there is a wide gap between what I perceived then and what it actually is. Isn't it true that every trek is unique, with its own beauty and challenges?
Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, an 82 km stretch from Delhi (New Ashok Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, New Ashok Nagar), to Modipuram, is expected to be fully operational by the end of February, connecting them within an hour. Also, I feel that the people of Merrut are blessed.
Simple living, high thinking– the statement is justified when you peep into the life of a writer! As I delve into my memory of school days, I remember delivering a speech on the birth anniversary of Munshi Premchand. Since I used to practice several times, some lines, though in fragments, had been etched in my … Continue reading Premchand’s Legacy: A Visit to his Village ‘Lamhi’ in Varanasi
The etymology of the word 'Aside' dates back to the 14th century, Middle English, meaning 'one side' or 'to the side.' It was popularised by the 15th-century Elizabethan dramatists in the Renaissance period, who used it to share comments, expressions, secrets, and humorous and witty remarks directly to the audience without involving the characters on the stage.
The performance starts with a benediction, a characteristic feature of the Natyashastra, in which the artists seek a blessing from the god for a successful performance. Both Dr Bhalla and Deepti encircle the stage till the apron, starting from the left wing, their bodies bend in gratitude, hands folded, seeking blessings from God (bhudevi), followed by the audience and the co-artists on percussion and vadyas.
A scene is like the building blocks of any play. Several scenes are woven together form an act, and several acts are interlaced to form a play. It's like a short-break where the production team change the settings of the stage, such as the placement of props. It's used when the location changes from one place to another.
What is the single most remarkable aspect of the novel, Maila Aanchal? My immediate reply would be the usage of language. Like English, we Indians do speak Hindi differently, wrapped in dialects that vary across regions. There are more than 48 dialects of Hindi alone, practised across different parts of India. It is said that Language and culture change in India every 12 miles.
It's the penultimate day of December. I am sitting with some stationery and a couple of greeting cards from last year. I may not get time on the 31st due to the various plans and games, hence, lets do it before. The excitement is at its peak. I am waiting eagerly for the Jan 1st morning rays of the Sun.
Ahmedabad, streched across the either side of river Sabarmati and Gandhinagar, the capital city collects the places of historical importance, besides serving to the modern Indian taste. The former appears largely cosmopolition whereas the latter retains some of the authenticism.
