rocksea

Atti, great to know that you enjoyed your trip to India.
This is the time of a number of festivals. Especially this week.

Today it is Diwali. Happy Diwali to everyone.
Diwali is the festival of lights, a popular festival of India.



Today is also Kerala-piravi or a celebration on the formal announcement
of the state of Kerala. On this day, we wear our traditional costumes,
men wear mundu and women wear saree (esp. off white colors).

And this week we also have Ramzan, which is also celebrated by Muslims
all over the world. When I was studying, we also used to join with them
eating special muslim food on Ramzan feast.
Eid Mubarak!

rocksea

Mahatma Gandhi needs no explanation. He is the father of our nation. He was
the one who showed that freedom could be sought through non-violence. To
be mentioned are his principles on truth, vegetarianism, simplicity, religion etc.
He was born on 2nd October, 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat (west coast of
India). He had to sacrifice his life (he was shot dead) for his principles on
30th January, 1948. Maha-atma=Great soul. Gandhi’s full name is Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi. He is reverently called Gandhiji or Bappu.

__________________
http://www.rocksea.org

rocksea

India is the birth place of several religions. Let me tell you about the religions
that were born in India at first. Pictures of temples of these major religions
are shown above. Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism & Buddhism was born in India.
Buddhism reached Japan through China-Korea and now it is one of the major
lifestyles of the Japanese.

rocksea

India has always been open to other cultures, languages & religions.
Here is a glimpse on religions which came to India from other countries.
These temples/shrines are of religions like bahai, parsi, jew, christian & muslim
India has one of the world's largest population of muslims (3rd or 4th).

__________________
http://www.rocksea.org

rocksea

The cultural richness of India is reflected in her numerous classical & folk dances.
So many have asked me why dance is so important in the Indian culture?
Why there are always dances and music in the Indian movies??

In India, dance expresses devotion, prayer, happiness, sorrow,
stories.. the list goes on.
Shown on the top left of the picture above is Natraj or the dancing Siva.
Siva is one of the most prominent gods in Hindu religion and he is also
pictured as the the dancer of creation, lord of joy and sorrow.

__________________
http://www.rocksea.org

rocksea

Now let me show some of the dances from different parts of the country.



Bharatanatyam, originated in Tamil Nadu is one of the major classical dance
forms in India.

Kathakali is a theatre art form from Kerala.

__________________
http://www.rocksea.org

rocksea

Kathakali theatre shares many similarities with Japanese Kabuki. Both styles
were created in the 17th Century, and both revolve around mythological stories
and folk tales. The disciplined movement and dance that is so indicative of both
forms, is enhanced by elaborate make-up, exceptional costumes and traditional
music. All actors in both Kabuki and Kathakali are male, even when some
characters are female.

Attached is an Indian stamp showing both Kathakali & Kabuki.
I have that stamp in my collection

by the way, saseem.. where are the stamps you promised from the euro-trip

__________________
http://www.rocksea.org

sas

good work!!! keep it up
great to know about the dances in India. Nepal is so close to india and i thought i knew quite a lot about india but seems that i was completely ignorant.

by the way your stamps waits for you eagarly on the rack in my room. i will try not to forget to give it to you when we meet for the meeting on thrusday!!!

Euphoria

Good information Rocksea...keep them coming .... i want to know about the food items popular there in India...especially what are the differences between the tastes of food in Northern and Southern part