Category: Culture and History

Marriages- a pure relation or a money deal

A great marriage isn’t something that just happens; it’s something that must be created.” – Fawn Weaver

Almost everybody, once in their lifetime, must have heard of the great saying, marriages are made in heaven. One of the purest of all relations that exist on the earth, is certainly in danger in one or the other manner.

Child marriage, have been into practice in our country for many centuries, but it is due to the tireless works of Keshab Chandra Sen, founder of Brahmo Samaj, the ill mentality which was pulping in earlier are now demolished from it’s roots. Another practice that prevailed during mid eighteenth and late nineteenth century, Dowry System, was also a big reason to worry. Since, it put great financial strain on the bride’s family, its ebolition was a must. But, today, these practices have almost come to an end, and people are leading towards more independent and maverick lives.

Although, the ill practices that were prevailing earlier in the Indian subcontinent, have now been put to an end, or we can say that, though not from the roots, above the board, it is all sorted. But, at the same time, a more ill and heart melting practice is being put into force, by most of the literate, along with illiterate people, i.e. people nowadays sale their bride and groom, in order to get them married at any cost.

It is a common tendency among Indians to get their children married once they enter their twenties, but if their marriage happens to fail, any cost is being given to the other party, in order to get them married. The reason why these things happen is the greed, as well as the pathetic excuse for their getting old.

And the only meaning driven out of these practices is that, people, or the young people, are being sold out, under the name of getting married, which is often hidden behind the pure and holy relation of marriage. Which is equal to a crime, also, it can be associated with Human Trafficking. It is simply selling of people, but the only difference here is, they know at what price, and where they are being sold to.

It is a common practice in most of the hindu families, that are supposed to be one of the literate class, but unfortunately are into such practices that lead to detoriation of the human values, and morals, along with cultural heritage. We often blame it on most of the Muslim families, or people that they are much more into practices such as marrying more than one lady, instead all are equally guilty in promoting every kind of ill practice that is prevailing in the society, and continue to be there forever.

It is a massive problem, that has settled its roots into the society, behind the name of marriage. Often, it is neglected and taken for granted, but until its ebolition is done with a force, it will take over the society forever and will detoriate the pureness of such a relation.

Why you should try yoga?

Top 10 Unexpected Health Benefits of Yoga | Shape

What is yoga, and why is it so popular? Yoga is a series of stretches and poses that you do with breathing techniques. It offers the powerful benefits of exercise. And since yoga is gentle, almost anyone can do it, regardless of your age or fitness level.

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old discipline from India. It was developed as a practice to unite the mind and body. There are many branches of yoga. All yoga styles can help balance your body, mind, and spirit, but they achieve it in various ways.

A study in The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine (among others) shows that yoga can build strength in addition to flexibility. And flexibility is the key to strength. When your muscles and the tissues that surround them are super tight, you’re not able to move as much weight with a full range of motion in the gym. Doing yoga helps loosen up those tissues so you can get more out of your strength sessions.

Research in the International Journal of Yoga shows that yoga not only reduces stress, but can help lower anxiety and depression, too. (It can also help battle insomnia, helping people who have it to sleep sounder at night, per researchers in Southern India.) There are as many types of yoga as there are machines in the gym, each having their unique benefits. There’s something for everyone: From hot yoga to aerial yoga to a good ‘ol Vinyasa flow to Ashtanga and Kundalini.

A study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that yoga can ward off heart disease helping to keep your heart in good form. Since that’s one of the key reasons people do cardio in gyms, to boost heart health, it’s interesting to note that similar benefits can be reaped from a yoga class. The twisting, stretching and folding of a yoga practice are good for the digestive system, the circulatory system, the lymph system and more. It’s a great way to detox the body and can improve your cardiovascular system. And all this while developing stronger muscles. A gym workout is focused just on strengthening muscles and boosting cardio.

Yoga is a different experience in a yoga studio, but you can easily practice yoga at home, outside or in small spaces. All you need is about 6 feet by 4 feet and you have your own yoga studio. A gym workout requires more equipment and more space.

Yoga eases your aches and pains. A gym workout increases them. Yoga slowly stretches muscles and opens the energy channels of the body. The increased flexibility keeps muscles and joints lubricated and healthy. Weights and treadmill can cause strain which leads to soreness and injuries.

Yoga helps you breathe easier. During times of stress, it’s easy to forget to breathe, really breathe, and not just shallow breaths. Without deep breaths, it’s harder to think clearly and fatigue can set in. Yoga focuses on the breath so that when you need it most, those deep breaths are the norm.

Indian states and their beautiful attires

India is a country with 29 states and each state had its traditions and values. People follow different religions, speak different languages, and eat different foods. Likely there exists a fashion and style diversity in India. Still, India is United as a country. Unity in diversity exists in India.

Here are some of the beautiful and Elegant Indian dresses which signify each state, and reveal the diversified beauty in it.

Madhya Pradesh

The people of MP wear very simple dresses compare to other states. Simple yet beautiful fashion style of these people includes Dhoti and Kurta or a simple shirt with a specific type of jacket called the Bandi or Mirzai and an equally unique headgear, a turban called the Safa which the men of this state wear.

Bandhej sari is very famous in the state still women folk wear Lehenga and choli with an Orhni called Lugra.

Uttar Pradesh

The women of this state wear salwar kameez. Churidaar bottom is originated from this state. Women also wear Ghagra Choli and Saree here. While men wear Lungi Pajama with headgear (topi or pagri) and sherwani on traditions days.

Chhattisgarh

Women wear saree known as Lugda with a blouse named Polka. They wear the saree in a typical Kachmora style. Men wear dhotis and headgears like cotton turbans.

Maharashtra

Nauwari saree the saree with 9-yard length is worn up to knee-length with beautifully designed Choli. The saree is worn with a different style like Dhoti.

Men of this state wear Dhotis known as Dhotar along with short sleeve shirts called Pheta and headgears called Pagdi.

Gujarat

Gujarat Chaniya Choli is world-famous which includes Ghagra, Choli, and chunari or head veil. These dresses are found in different color combinations which look very beautiful.

Gujarati men wear dhotis or churidar pajamas and kurtas or Bandits, traditionally called Chorno and Kediyu that are paired with rich colored headgear as the turbans.

Punjab

Patiyala salwar and churidar are common wears of the women of this state. Women also wear colorful Ghagras.

  Common attire of the men of the state is kurta and muktsari pajamas, which has replaced the more traditional tehmats. They also wear Pagris.

Rajasthan

The men of the state wear dhotis or churidar pajama, kurta, angarkha, patka, or Kamar band and white Pagar or safa which is a kind of turban, Give them a royal look. However, the length and manner of wearing the dhoti vary across the state as does the length of women’s dress as well.

Rajasthani women wear long skirts called ghagra with blouses called Kanchi or Kurtis and cover their heads with Odhnis.

Himachal Pradesh

It is a hilly and cold state so people wear woolen clothes here. Men wear kurtas paired with dhotis or churidar pajamas and the typical Himachali cap called the pagri.

while Himachali women wear kurtas, rahide, and Ghagra Lehenga Choli, along with scarves and shawls. Rahides are headscarves decked with a golden periphery that serve to protect against the cold. Pashmina shawls from the region are one variety of woolen clothing popular all over for the warmth and quality it endows.

Telangana

Telangana has sarees, Langa vonis, salwar kameez as the traditional attires for women in the state on the other hand males wear the traditional dhoti called the Pancha.

Sikkim

The traditional wear of this state is quite similar to men’s and women’s clothes. The men wear a dress called Bakhu or Kho with a pair of loosely fitted trousers teamed up with a leather belt and embroidered leather boots. While the women wear the outfit over a full-sleeved silk blouse known as honju and fastened with a silk or cotton.

 An ankle-length costume worn like a sari called the Dumvum and another attire by the name Nyamrek also counts among the traditional attires of the state.

Uttarakhand

Women of this state wear long skirts known as ghagri along with a choli and odhani. on the other hand, men wear dhoti, churidar or lungi along with a shirt or kurta, and topped off with a gol topi or Jawahar topi. Bhotu and Dhoti are unisex traditional attires of the state.

Tripura

Women of Tripura with two pieces dress the upper piece known as Risa which covers the chest and Rikutu covers the entire torso. While the dress for the lower half of the body for Tripuri women is called the Rigwnai.

The Rikutu is also worn by the men of Tripura to cover the loin. The upper male body is covered in a shirt ‘kamchwlwi borok’ along with a gamucha known as Kubai.

Manipur

The women of the state of Manipur wear a sarong wrapped around the chest as a skirt that is called the Phanek. A horizontally and woven shawl or dupatta called the Innaphi goes around the upper body to complete the traditional female attire.

The menfolk of the state of Manipur wears a dhoti that is four to five meters in length and jacket as their traditional dress. The look is completed by a white pagri or turban as the headgear.

Tamil Nadu

Kanchipuram Sarees the Women’s attire of Tamil Nadu is world-famous. These rich culture sarees called Pavada comprise a full-length short blouse called Ravaikai and a shawl, which are mostly worn by the younger girls. The grown-up girls wear a saree style called the Dhavani.

While the men in Tamil Nadu dress up in Lungis along with a shirt and Angavastra. The traditional Lungi of the Tamils is known as the Veshti and can be tucked in a number of ways.

“THE BARD OF AVON” : WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

  • Introduction and birth
  • Shakespeare’s Lost years
  • Career and his works
  • Writing style
  • His famous quotes

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and the one man in his time plays many parts.”

William Shakespeare was an English poet mystery, playwright and actor of the Renaissance era who is considered one of the greatest writers to ever use the English language. He was an important member of the King’s Men company of theatrical players from roughly 1594 onward. He is also the most famous playwright in the world, with his plays being translated in over 50 languages and performed across the globe for audiences of all ages known colloquially as“The Bard” or “The Bard of Avon,” Shakespeare was also an actor and the creator of the Globe Theatre, a historical theatre, and company that is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Shakespeare’s writings capture the range of human emotion and conflict and have been celebrated for more than 400 years.

His birth records does not exist, but an old church record indicates that a William Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. Shakespeare was educated at the King’s New School, a free chartered grammar school that was located in Stratford. There he studied the basic Latin text and grammar, much of which was standardized across the country by Royal decree. He was also known to partake in the theatre while at the school . As a commoner, Shakespeare’s education was thought to finish at the grammar school level as there is no record of him attending university, which was a luxury reserved for upper-class families.

Shakespeare’s Lost years –
In 1582, an 18-year-old Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. After the birth of his twins in 1585, Shakespeare disappeared from public record until 1592, when his works began appearing on the London stage. These seven years are known as “Shakespeare’s Lost Years,” and have been the source of various stories that remain unverified, including a salacious story involving Shakespeare escaping Stratford prosecution for deer poaching.

Career –
William Shakespeare first made his appearance on the London stage, where his plays would be written and performed, around 1592. He was, however, well known enough to be attacked by critics in newspapers, and thus was considered to be already an established playwright.

After the year 1594, Shakespeare’s plays were solely performed by a company owned by a group of actors known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which became London’s leading company.
Between about 1590 and 1613, Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays and collaborated on several more. His 17 comedies include The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing. The most famous among his tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Shakespeare also wrote 4 poems, and a famous collection of Sonnets which was first published in 1609.

Early Works and after 1600: Histories and Comedies –

  • Henry VI (Parts I, II and III), Richard II and Henry V – Shakespeare’s first plays were mostly histories.
  • Tragic love story Romeo and Juliet.
  • Julius Caesar portrays upheaval in Roman politics that may have resonated with viewers at a time when England’s aging monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, had no legitimate heir.
  • Comedies – the whimsical A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the romantic Merchant of Venice,the wit and wordplay of Much Ado About Nothing and the charming As You Like It and Twelfth Night.
  • Other plays before 1600 include Titus Andronicus, The Comedy of Errors, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, Love’s Labour’s Lost, King John, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V.
  • After 1600: Tragedies and Tragicomedies- Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. In these, Shakespeare’s characters present vivid impressions of human temperament that are timeless and universal.
  • In Shakespeare’s final period, he wrote several tragicomedies – Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.
  • Other plays written during this period include All’s Well That Ends Well, Measure for Measure, Timon of Athens, Coriolanus, Pericles and Henry VIII.

Writing Styles –
Shakespeare’s early plays were written in the conventional style of the day, with elaborate metaphors and rhetorical phrases that didn’t always align naturally with the story’s plot or characters.
However, Shakespeare was very innovative, adapting the traditional style to his own purposes and creating a free flow of words.
With only small degrees of variation, Shakespeare primarily used a metrical pattern consisting of lines of unrhymed or blank verse, to compose his plays. At the same time, there are passages in all the plays that deviate from this and use forms of poetry or simple prose.
While it’s difficult to determine the exact chronology of Shakespeare’s plays, over the course of two decades, from about 1590 to 1613, he wrote a total of 37 plays revolving around several main themes: histories, tragedies, comedies and tragicomedies.

Today, his plays are highly popular and constantly studied and reinterpreted in performances with diverse cultural and political contexts. The genius of Shakespeare’s characters and plots are that they present real human beings in a wide range of emotions and conflicts that transcend their origins in Elizabethan England.

Various famous quotes of william Shakespeare–

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool”.

“The empty vessel makes the loudest sound”.

“We are time’s subjects, and time bids be gone”.

UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS

I Know I am late a moment ago I came to know about that 2nd July was UFO day, I am really very flatter to know about this day in my school days I was very much curious about the galaxy , the unknown mysterious world, other planets , aliens then with the time  I am distracted from my this world, but always when I get time I tried to gather information .so 1st I am telling you the reason behind the day

World UFO Day is an awareness day for people to gather together and watch the skies for unidentified flying objects. The day is celebrated by some on June 24, and others on July 2. June 24 is the date that aviator Kenneth Arnold reported what is generally considered to be the first widely reported unidentified flying object sighting in the United States,[ while July 2 commemorates the supposed UFO crash in the 1947 Roswell UFO Incident.

RoswellDailyRecordJuly8,1947.jpg
Roswell Daily Record, July 8, 1947, announcing the “capture” of a “flying saucer” source WIKIPEDIA

What is other side of the sky? Once This question always going round in my mind, other planets, solar system , milky way, black eye galaxy this things are fascinated millions , years after year scientist research and now the craze to know the unknown world , creature from other planet is really noticeable. Series, documentaries, movies based on aliens, other world.  But you know In Chhattisgarh ancient rock painting depicting UFO exist suggesting Alien communication with humans since prehistoric times, Archaeologists JR Bhagat, who discover them , said they depict strange humanoids with no facial features and other painting of flying discs.

CHARAMA (Chhattisgarh): Chhattisgarh state department of sarchaeology department has sought help from NASA and ISRO experts.

image of the drawings related to aliens and ufo in Chhattisgarh

The finding suggest that humans in prehistoric times may have seen or imagined beings from other planets which still create curiosity among people and researchers.

Labourers and lockdown

Stained by hunger,

The splash of virus dried out to an insignificant dot on their white khadi

They can’t have more, their stomach is full— full of hunger

Their bodies are not driven by food,

Their legs tread hearing stomach’s rumble

The people crossed gutters, jumped over broken roads

The pits in the broken road are now cemented, 

Cemented by starvation,

Cemented by hopes,

Cemented by slippers that have lost the feet on which they were worn.

They who went out in the search of bread have lost their breaths

Their breathless bodies demand an answer,

An answer for their hunger

An answer for their treads,

And answer for which they had lost their breaths.

Reach out to me on instagram @ekanika_shah

One Must Know About THESE Indian Cities Why Are they Famous For?

1. Lucknow

Lucknow is extremely popular for Chikan and Zaroori. Both of these are two kinds of stylish and delicate Indian embroideries. The export of these rich materials, forms a significant part of the revenue to the city. There is a huge demand of both these handcrafted embroideries, not only in India but in overseas markets as well.

2. Agra

If there is anything that comes close to the popularity of Taj Mahal from Agra, it is the delicious and popular Agra ka Petra. It is popular Indian sweet from the state. It is translucent looking, soft, chewy and candy – like, eaten dry or dipped in sugar syrup.

3. Firozabad

Firozabad located in Uttar Pradesh is mainly an industrial town located nearly 200 km away from New Delhi. This city is popularly known for its glass industry producing glass bangles or famed bangles. This city has been producing glass bangles for more than 200 years where workers are still melting glass in traditional furnace.

4. Nagpur

The city of Nagpur is mainly known for its juicy oranges and this is the reason why it is called as the Orange City. It is a major trade center of oranges cultivated in large part of the region.

5. Kashmir

Apple is probably the most ancient fruit primarily grown in Asia. But if one wants to eat the most delicious apples of wide variety then one must visit Kashmir. There are mainly 7 types of Apples grown on a commercial scale which are : Ambri Kashmir, American Tree, Red Delicious, Maharaji Apple, Hazaratbali Apple, Golden delicious apple.

6. Varanasi

A Banarsi silk Saree is a must have in every Indian women’s wardrobe. These Sarees are handwoven in Varanasi, UP. These Sarees have a blend of marvellous colours and their sheen and texture make them irresistible and are simply pieces of art.

7. Surat

Strategy is known as City of Diamonds. Today, India gives shine to 75% of rough diamonds sold globally, with Surat being the Capital of trade. Over 90% of the world’s diamond pieces are cut in Surat, contributing to about 80% of the Indian annual diamond export.

8. Kannauj

Kannauj famous for distilling of scents is known as India’s perfume capital and is famous for its traditional Kannauj Perfume, a government protected entity. Kannauj itself has more than 200 perfume distilleries and is a market center for tobacco, ittar and rose water.

9. Darjeeling

Darjeeling is famous for its tea plantations the world over. With many gardens producing the famous Darjeeling tea, this is the place to enjoy guided tours amid verdant tea estates and enjoy tea tasting sessions like a true connoisseur very good for photography with local dress. The smell of tea leaf makes us fresh.

So this was all about our popularity of Indian cities.

The pride Month

Recently, people suddenly came up with the posts on social media, using the hashtags, pride, or pride month, and etc. But, many of us may be wondering with many questions stuck to our minds, why? What is it? Where? When? How?

Although, there is a huge mass of people vocal about such a topic as this, but many still feel bad, or to say embraced in thinking about every aspect of a human being’s physique, which is a great reason to worry. It is not what we expect from the generation of sciences and revolutions, they must be vocal for the issues that are prevailing in the current society, and are making people in their surroundings and even themselves, mentally distressed, which is even worse than any physical tensions.

What is the pride ?

Gay pride or LGBT pride is the promotion of self affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that blosters most LGBT rights movements.

It is not a recent phenomenon that we are experience through, but has a long history that commemorates a turning point in a country’s LGBT history, for example Moscow Pride in May for the anniversary of Russia’s 1993 decriminalization of homosexuality.

The common symbol of pride are the rainbow or pride flag, the lowercase Greek letter lambda, the pink triangle, and the black triangle.

The history of Pride Month –

LGBT Pride Month occurs in United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969.As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBT people had in the world.

It is because of the struggles of a Bisexual activist Brenda Howard, who is also known as “The Mother of Pride“,coordinated the first LGBT pride march, and she also originated the idea for a week-long series of events around Pride Day, which then become the genesis of the annual LGBT Pride celebrations that are now held around the world every June. Not only Brenda, the two Presidents of the United States have officially declared a pride month. And Barack Obama even said

I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists. –

Proclamation 8529 by U. S President Barack Obama, May 28,2010

Although,from both outside and inside the LGBT community,there is criticism and protest against pride events. The “Straight Pride” incidents have gained some media attention,especially when they involve government and public institutions.

Pride Month 2020 –

2020 has been a year that has seen several changes happening around all over the world. And celebrating Pride Month, is one such event that has brought a great revolution around the world, people are more attentive towards what one feel, or what a person has to say about their sexuality, neglecting the orthodoxy of the past.

As well as being a month long celebration, Pride Month is also an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issue facing the community. Parades are the prominent feature of Pride Month, and there are many street parties, community events, public speaking, street festivals and educational sessions all of which are covered by mainstream media and attracting millions of participants. The digital concert which was conducted recently, by the world’s best musicians and activists, is a significant step towards promoting pride and accepting every human being generously and with great respect.

Since, we have jumped into a generation of broad spectrum, where each and every human being has the right to be the way they are. It is definitely a great time to start talking over such issues that hold people behind, and make them feel comfortable and respected in every manner.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org

Ashadhi Ekadashi Festival in MAHARASHTRA🚩

Ashadhi Ekadashi is one of the most important religious festivals that is celebrated in Maharashtra. This ceremony is generally held at Pandharpur where a huge number of devotees gather to celebrate the festival. It is a religious procession festival which is held every year during the Aashaadh Shukla paksha. Generally Ekadashi is considered to be coming on each month of the year but the eleventh day of Ashadh is said to be the great Ekadashi which is also called by the name Shayani Ekadashi. During this day the devotees keep fast the whole day and they go walking in huge processions to Pandharpur. People sing chanting hymns of Saint Dyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram to pay their tribute to their God Vitthal. This procession starts in Allandi and ends on Guru Poornima at Pandharpur. This day is considered very pious and people join the yatra not only from Maharashtra but also from other cities as well. Men are dressed in ethnic wears like dhoti and kurta and sing devotional songs during this long journey. It is simply spectacular to see this tradition of Maharashtra which is very colourful and energetic.HISTORY OF THE ATTRACTIONAs per the legends on this day of Great Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu fell asleep and the again woke up after four months on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi which falls during the Kartik month. This time of the month is known as the Chaturmas which coincides with our rainy season. Owing to these stories of our purans, this day is celebrated in Maharashtra with a lot of grandeur and devotees join from all parts of the country to pay homage to the Lord.DURATION OF THE FESTIVALThe Ashadhi Ekadashi is generally held during the months of June and July which are the monsoon months of our country.Ashadhi Ekadashi FestivalHIGHLIGHTS/ IMPORTANT RITUALS OF THE FESTIVALThe devotees carry palanquins which have the images of great saints of Maharashtra while they go on this huge procession.A grand fest is organized on this day which contains many traditional dishes.Many musical instruments like veenas, dholkis and chiplis are played by the devotees during this holy yatra.

Happy National Doctor’s Day

Every year on 1st July India celebrates National Doctor’s Day in honor of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy former chief minister of West Bengal and someone who represented the best of his profession at a critical time in India’s modern history.

He is still considered the greatest Chief Minister of West Bengal and a visionary of developing the State as after independence lot of industrial development took place in the State.
He was the one to establish the Indian Medical Association in 1928 and the Medical Council of India. He also played a crucial role in establishing the Indian Institute of Mental Health, the Infectious Disease Hospital, and even Kolkata’s first-ever postgraduate medical college.

My Tribute to our life Saviors

And on this Doctor’s Day salute to all the doctors and healthcare workers for their selfless service. In this pandemic, they are real-life heroes, bringing hope in these difficult situations. Keeping us safe, fighting the coronavirus war at The frontline. Their invaluable contribution makes people recover from this dreadful disease.