Made of movies, books and literature. Occasionally there's a penchant for social commentary.
Inventions mark human evolution, showcasing our intelligence. The Manjusha Museum of Dharmasthala houses artifacts like the wooden rice-strainer 'Marayi', once common in Tulunadu. This practical equipment catered to large families, collecting strained rice water. Today, it symbolizes nostalgia, reminding visitors of ancestral lifestyles despite its absence in modern homes.
CLI, a handsome horse from Madumalai, aspires to serve at the Mysooru palace like his grandfather. Facing challenges, he navigates a dangerous forest to achieve his dream. Kling Johnson’s children's book blends human-animal worlds, offers cultural insights about Mysore during Dasara, and promotes positive life and heritage values for young readers.
The Manjusha Antique Museum in Dharmasthala showcases a significant musical artefact belonging to Veene Sheshanna, a legendary figure in Karnataka's Carnatic music. This Veene symbolizes his innovative contributions and is celebrated for its historical value, reflecting India's rich cultural legacy. Sheshanna's legacy echoes through his compositions and unique performance style.
Puppetry, rooted in ancient Indian texts, is an art form that has dwindled in cultural significance over time despite its rich history. With origins traced back to legends involving deities, it encompasses various styles like string and shadow puppets. Current efforts aim to preserve this fading tradition, but few artists remain active today.
(This article was created for and is published in Deccan Herald. The Spectrum supplement has ownership.) Heritage of a land sure represents the advancements of its civilization, but it is also the roadmap to its very roots. Heritage derives from the most natural parts of life and elevates the ordinary into aesthetic and culturally significant.... Continue Reading →
[Edited version of this article was published in Deccan Herald, screenshot attached below. Posted here is the original version.] The festival of colours just went by, and it is one of the festivals in India celebrated in the most diverse ways. From Holi ka dahan to insane colour fights, Holi sees a number of meaningful... Continue Reading →
Bharatesha Vaibhava written by Rathnakara Varni is a manuscript pertaining to Jain literature. It was shunned in the past but is a respected work of literature now.
Civilizations sustain through traditions, and traditions sustain through situational adaptation. India has witnessed infinite traditions that took birth in one form and evolved into entirely different forms, though surprisingly keeping their essence intact through the journey. Causes for such evolution have been modernization, migration of communities, climate change, economic reasons, etc. One such tradition that... Continue Reading →
Ittu, a 58-year-old artisan from Palli, Karnataka, is the last inheritor of a dying art: crafting daily utensils from wild creepers. This skill, passed down generations, involves meticulous harvesting and weaving, creating durable, eco-friendly products. While valued locally, Ittu's craft struggles for recognition and faces extinction amid modern materials.
This article of mine was published in Spectrum, Deccan Herald, on account of International Women's Day. Photos by Anoop Soorinje, Beauty of Tulunad. Here is the published version. No force ever draws and sustains a social system as much as empowered, creative and radical women who constitute it. This can be confidently claimed to be... Continue Reading →