Made of movies, books and literature. Occasionally there's a penchant for social commentary.
The Devagola, a massive ritual spoon displayed at Manjusha Museum, symbolizes agrarian traditions in Tulunadu, used during harvest season to offer gratitude to the Gods. With intricate designs reflecting Shaivism and Vaishnavism, this rare brass artefact serves a significant cultural purpose, connecting communities to their agricultural heritage.
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.
'Baleendra', or the asura king more commonly known as Mahabali is a celebrated warrior from the Indian scriptures. His story is a part of the Deepavali celebrations in Tulunadu.
(This article by yours truly has been published in Deccan Herald Spectrum on 18th August 2022. Photos taken by Shashikanth Shetty. Screenshot of published article below, gallery of photos at the end of the article.) Traditions of Tulunadu are seasonal and very connected to the demography of the coastal region. The fundamental idea behind all... Continue Reading →
Rani Abbakka is the first documented freedom fighter of India (This post is the elaborated version of my article 'The Warrior Queen of Coast who terrified the Portuguese' published in Deccan Herald on 09 Aug 2022. You can read the published shorter version here. This article is the complete version. Featured image credit: Deccan Herald)... Continue Reading →
(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 →
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 →