Presenting India

2012-01-04T01:22:00.000-08:00

The great person of India

BAJAJ AUTO - The Indian Scooter.

The Bajaj Group came into existence during the termoil of India's freedom struggle. Jamnalal Bajaj, founder of the Bajaj Group, a confidante & disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, was deeply involved in the effort of freedom.

Kamalnayan, the eldest son of Jamnalal Bajaj, succeeded his father in 1942, at the age of twenty- seven. Putting the Nation before business, he devoted himself to the latter only after India achieved independence in 1947. Within a short while, he not only consolidated the Group, but also diversified into various manufacturing activities, elevating the Group to the status it enjoys till this day. Rahul Bajaj is an Honours Graduate in Economics & Law & did his MBA in Harvard Business School.

He took over as the Chief Executive Officer of Bajaj Auto in 1968. Today, he leads a company which is the fourth largest two wheeler manufacturer in the world. He is recognized as one of the most outstanding business leaders in India. As dynamic & ambitious as his illustrious predecessors, he has been recognized for his achievements at various national & international forums. At present, he is the Chairman of Bajaj Auto Ltd, Bajaj Auto Finance Ltd, Maharashtra Scooters Ltd & Mukand Ltd. Bajaj even today remains the common man's scooter brand.

Jahangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata

Jahangir Ratanji Dadabhoi Tata was born in Paris on July 29, 1904. JRD, as he was fondly referred to all his life joined Tata Steel in the shop floor. In 1938, on the death of Sir Nowroji Saklatvala, chairman of Tata Sons, JRD, -barely 34, was catapulted to the head of the India's largest industrial empire. In 1945, Tata Steel promoted the Tata Engineering & Locomotive Company (TEL-CO) with the objective of making locomotives for the Indian Railways. Today, Tel-co has emerged as the country's largest commercial vehicle producer. He also set up the country's first evictions company which the Government took over later (Air India). JRD firmly believed in employee welfare & espoused the principles of an eight-hour working day, free medical aid, worker's provident scheme, women's -accident compensation schemes, which were later -adopted as

Dhirubhai Ambani

From pumping petrol to 62,000 crores!!!

Ambani A journey from a petrol pump attendant to creating a first private Indian fortune 500 company. Dhirubhai Ambani was the son of an ordinary schoolmaster in rural Gujarat. A school drop-out, his first income was as a child, selling snacks to pilgrims. A job with an Indian trading company took him to Aden & he moved on from there to work for Shell, as a petrol pump attendant. When he returns to India in 1957, polyester had just been invented, & Ambani believed it represent the future of Indian textile business. His foresight was right! His investment of rupees 15,000 to set up a trading house paid off quickly & by the mid-1960s, he was largest polyester treader in a country.

Dhirubhai Ambani success story is spun around polyester, but the diversification have came thick & fast plastics, refineries, oil, gas & telecommunication. In order to finance some of the operations, Ambani transformed the way big business operated by raising money from the market, a strategy, which was directly responsible for promoting equity cult in India.

The Reliance Group is extremely inspiring a man of highly humble origins founded India's first private fortune 500 company. He was the visionary behind the industrial group which accounts for more than 3 % of India's GDP, about 5% of the country's total exports & 30% of the topics made by a private sector companies. The integrated Jamnanagar refinery complex in Gujarat is the world's largest Greenfield project of kind. About 35 lakh's people have direct interested in Reliance Industries, & as more share4 holder any other company in the world.

Toast to his vision!!!

G.D.Birla-

G.D Birla as a master statesman & a patriot has carved a place for himself in the Indian mind, which will remain forever. Whether it was in starting education institutions, hostels or building temples across the country G.D Birla was a class apart.

The Birla’s had their origins in Pilani then moved to Calcutta assumed a prominent role in the Marwari community & gradually switched to industry from their trading background during the first two decades of the 20th century.

Birla's public career begins with his nomination to the Bengal Legislative Council by the Governor. Around this time, Birla along with his brothers forayed into the world of newspaper publishing by taking over two papers in Calcutta. Birla soon came under the influence of nationalist leader Madam Mohan Malaviya & then Mahatma Gandhi. Birla rendered yeoman service to this country in his capacity as an unofficial ambassador to financial institutions such as IMF & World Bank during the1960s. His contribution to economic planning through the Bombay plan initiative in mid 1940s is also noteworthy.

The Birla Empire managed to grow to bell one of the largest industrial groups in the country.

Oberoi

M.S. Oberoi id is the man behind one of India’s largest chain of hotel he was a young boy from the village of bhaun he was raised by his mother who lovingly brought him up & with her meagre resources launched him into the world. The boy started his career as a clerk in Hotel Cecil in Simla. And this is the man who went on to be the owner of over forty luxury hotels in the world. The man MS Oberoi is as respected as Hilton in the world of hotels.

He had told his little daughter once that by the time she is grown-up they would have a hotel in every part of the world. This was no light emotional commitment but a strong practical statement. The road which led his dream to reality was not an easy go. One incident which needs special mention is the setting up of the Australian Branch of his Hotels. The Australian racists swore they would not hand over their national treasure adjacent to the Parliament building to a foreigners to restore & manage. Today the Hotel Oberoi in Melbourne is more Australian than the Australians.

Indeed Oberoi is inspirations for all Indians who chase go their dreams.

Godrej The Lock Maker...

Do you say Xerox or photocopy. Do you say lock or godrej lock very few have achieved to create a brand that represents the product ardeshir godrej is one such pioneers.

Ardeshir Godrej was a young lawyer. He gave up law & took up lock-making. He had a vision of creating an Indian Brand at an Indian price. He was the first Indian price. He was dislace well entrenched foreign brands etched the market. The word Godrej, bacame a symbol of self-reliance for the generations that followed.

With each new product, Ardeshir changed perceptions about industry equipment & them stunned the world by creating a soap from vegetable oils. He took on the Lever brothers to based soap. He struggled four years to environment & came on top once growing with leaps & bounds.

To this day products that complete with the best in the world continue to come from the gates of the Godrej. Godrej touches the lives of millions of Indians every day. To them it is a symbol of enduring ideals in a changing world. Every product every new concept gives shape to their visions of tomorrow.

2012-01-04T01:21:00.000-08:00

The Language Of Indian Health Science.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the ancient medicinal science of India. Before the four Vedas were formally compiled all branches of knowledge were termed as Veda of that branch. The branch of science related to health was termed as Ayurveda. It was part of Atharvaveda. In recent year the interest in Ayurveda has risen throughtout the world.

Ayurveda is divided into eight parts. Hence it is also known as ashtanga Ayuveda.

1) Kaya - The part of Ayurveda which mainly related with diseases related with body is the digestion.

2) Bala- It is the treatment for the diseases and proper growth of children.

3) Graha- It deals with stars & planets & other mental disorders.

4) Urdhwa- It deals with diseases of upper part of he body above the neck.

5) Shalya- This is the surgical branch of Ayurveda which is well developed by Sushrutha.

6) Dhanstra- It is related to the tooth where animals bites poisoning & its treatment is considered.

7) Jara- It is the branch related to gariatrics.

8) Vrushya - It is the branch related with healthy sex life.

Ubtan

Ubtan is a body application used for the beautification of the body, dating back to the remotest antiquity and is the legacy of the rich Indian Heritage Ubtan the paste mixture of turmeric, saffron, sandalwood, bengalm-gram, & seeds of yellow mustard, is applied by the brides & bridegrooms while reciting Ved Mantras as an important ritual of marraiges in India. Upon scientific researches of its ingredients it has been found that the Ubtan not only enhances beauty but also possesses definite medicinal values by virtue of its antifungai, antibacterial, antiperspirant deodorant & skintoning properties thereby ruling out the possibilities of skin infections. it serves the multipurpose role of cleanser, astrigent, stimulant & skin tonic. By its revitalising, refreshing& refining actions Ubtan helps in making the skin glow in complexion & makes it appear luscious. It also gives protection from various skin problem including acne, pimples, blemishes, white pathes, freckles, blackheads, etc.. Its regular usage prevent the occurrence of premature wrinkles removes scars & helps to lighten the open pores.

Tulsi

Many families in Indian maintain a tulsi planted in a speially built structure which has image of deities installed on all four sides, & alcove for a larger households even have up to a dozentulsi plants on the verandah or in the garden.

Tulsi is-of great medicinal significance,& is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by it's strong aroma & a stringent taste, tulsi promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent & cure many illnesses & common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various froms of poisoning & malaria. Essential oil extraced used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletries.

The tulsi plant is even known to purify or de-pollute the atmosphere & also works as a repellent to mosquitoes, flies & other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of malarial fever.

2011-09-01T05:54:00.000-07:00

Mahabhartha

Mahabhartha is the one of greatest & longest epics ever written in literary history. The Auther of this massive work is sage Vyasa. Mahabhartha is a Nobal Poem possesing in a supreme degree the characteristics of a true epic great & fateful movement heroic characters & stately diction. Mahabhartha binds our vast numbers together as one people, despite catse, space & language. This epic throws light on the attainment of the goals of man Dharma, Ardha, Kama & Moksha.
Vyasa composed this work & taught to his deciple Vaisampayana who narrated to Janamejaya ( son of Parikshit ). It is a mixture of epic ancient legends & didactic matter divied in to 18 parvas & suplementary called Harivasma.
The subjects of Mahabhartha can be analyzed into three cases,
1) The Story of Pandavas & Kauravas,
2) The Ancient Stories & Legends of Gods,
3) The Didactic & Ethical Sermons.
discourses on philosophy, religion, law & duties of various castes & Ashramas stages of Life.The great philosophical work Srimat Bhagavatgeeta is found in this work Several episodes of Mahabhartha have supplied plots for a number of later poems & dramas.

Valmiki Ramayana

Ramayan is the great epic is the first ornate poetry composed by Valmiki. It served as a model for later poets. Ramayana was the first metrical work dealing with secular subject & hence it is called Adikavyam & its author Valmiki is known as Adikavi. Valmiki & Srirama were contemporaries. During his life in exile in the forest Rama visited Valmiki ashrams. The connection in many ways of the life of Valmiki with the ‘Rama story’ was an incentive for him to write the Ramayana. It contains descriptions & references to ancient themes. Before this metrical language was found to be employed only in the Vedas.

Valmiki completed writing the Ramayana Story in 24,000 verses. The epic is divided into seven Khandas (section). The seven sections are

1) The Bala Kandam,

2) The Ayodhya Kandam,

3) The Aranya Kandam,

4) The Kishkinda Kandam,

5) The Sundara Kandam,

6) The Yudha Kandam

7) The Uttara Kandam.

Through the story of lord Rama, Valmiki upholds the values that men should acquire in order to be dharmic. To this day Lord Sri Rama serves as a role model for mankind.

Tulsi Ramayana

At a time when Sanskrit was not available for study to the common man & the values of the life lived by a great men & the great philosophy of India did not reach the common man. The foreign invasions politically & culturally were creating havoc to these knowledge-treasures in India. There arose a need to translate the great works into colloquial languages.

It was around this time that a great saint devotee of Sri Ramachandraji Goswami Tulsidas was inspired to compose the Ramayana in Avadhi a dialect of Hindi.

The Ramacharitamanas is divided into 7 contos,

1) Bala Khanda,

2) Ayodhya Khanda,

3) Aranya Khanda,

4) Kishkinda Khanda,

5) Sundara Khanda,

6) Lanka Khanda,

7) Uttara Khanda

The Ramacharitamas deals with various topics of daily living like administration, business mngnt.

Communication skills, tips to success & family living. The Vibheeshana Geeta- a dialougebetween Rama & Vibheeshana on the war field describes the qualities that one should have to be successful in life.

The ideas of this composition was to instill devotion in the hearts of people. Hence unlike in Valmiki Ramayana Sri Rama portrayed as a God himself & not as just a great man & an ideal human being. Another unique feature in this version is that the story of Sri Rama ends with his coronation after his return from the 14-years exile.

Ramacharitamas has won the hearts of the people. Even today most people in India & overseas read this simple version of Ramayana as a daily prayer.

Tolkapiyam

Tolkapiyam is the name signifying the “ancient book” or “the preserver of ancient institutions” was written by Tolkapiyanar. It is the oldest Tamil grammar dating back to 500 B.C. It lays down rules for different kinds of poetical composition drawn from the examples from some of the best works. Iyal is elucidated clearly & systematically in Tolkapiyam containing about 1,610 suttirams (aphorism) in three parts ezuthu (orthography) sol (etymology) & porul (literary conventions & usages).

Each of which comprise nine sections. While the first two parts are interesting from both linguistic & philological points of view that third poruladhikaram is most valuable as it gives a grimpse of the political, social & religious life of the people during the period when the author of this treatise lived.

The Tolkapiyam is said to have been modeled on the Sanskrit grammar of the Aindra School. It is the one of the earliest grammar texts & it is comprehensive work in Tamil Literature.

2011-09-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

Vedas

The word Ved literally means knowledge, the knowledge par excellence or supreme knowledge. The Hindus considered the Vedas as the original & prime sources of their cultural life. The thinking & feelings of Hindus are regulated by the Vedas. It is almost impossible to perceive & fully understand the ethos of spiritual & cultural lives of Indians without having an insight into the Vedas.

The themes appearing in the Vedas are external & are relevant to the humanity for all times to come.

This knowledge was not delivering from a particular scripture or prophet but came into being in course of several millennia. This knowledge continued from incessantly being transmitted from centuries to centuries from generation to generation by world of mouth.

Most of the Indian scholars considered the Harappa-Mohenjo-Daro culture (4,000 B.C.) to be a later face of the Vedic culture. This place the date of the Rig-Veda, the earliest of the Vedas, around 10,000 B.C.

For centuries, the Vedas have been handed down to the posterity by oral tradition. Hence the name sruti, ‘what is heared’

The great sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa or Veda Vyasa is said to have effected this division by collecting all the mantras extant during his time, & editing them into four groups

1) Rig-Veda

2) Yajur-Veda

3) Sama-Veda

4) Atharva-Veda

He taught them to his four chief disciples’:
1)      Raila (Rig-Veda )
2)      Vaisampayana (Yajur-Veda )
3)      Jaimini (Sama-Veda)
4)      Sumantu (Atharva-Veda).

This is how these four Vedas took shaped.

Rig-Veda

Of all the four samhitaas, the Rig-Veda samhitaas is the oldest & has a pre- eminent place in the Vedic literature.
The topics dealt with in the Rid-Veda samhitaas fall roughly into three groups. The first group deals with the deities like Agni, Indra, Vauna & others. The 2 group is concerned with philosophical speculation like the origin of the universe & the real nature of human beings. The third group deals with several secular subjects like marriage, was kings, eulogy of generosity & so on.

The mantra in which the well-known statement, ekam sat vipraab babudhaa vadanti truth is one; sages call it by various names, sums up the spirit of the entire rig Veda. The concept of Vasudeva Kutumbakkam or Universal oneness was propounded in the Rig Veda.

In the Rig Vedic period Varna (Caste system) had already taken roots. Monogamy & svayamvara system ( that of a bride choosing her husband) all exited side by side. Agriculture & animal husbandry were the chief means of livelihood. Civilization was well-developed & fine arts was encouraged. Priests & Dharma were extolled. Social life was permeated by spiritual consciousness.

Sama Veda

The Sama Veda knowledge of chanted hymns in a way stands between the poetic Vedas & the ritualistic Vedas. Sama stands for love of god & consists of hymns of devotion. The verses are traditionally chanted on different ceremonial occasions. In content & from it is a poetry of the highest order while in arrangement & purpose it is ritualistic. Mostly the selections are made from the rig Veda & grouped together & arranged for ritualistic purposes.

The Sama Veda contains 1,875 verses of which only 75 are not to be found in the rig Veda. The rest are virtually the repetitions of the rig Vedic verses.

The Sama Veda is said to have had one thousand receptions but only three of them are now preserved & they are ranayaniyasakha, kautumasakha & jaiminiyasakha.

Atharva- Veda

Atharva Veda is also known as Brahmaveda.

The contents of this Veda ranges from diseases & their cure building construction trade & commerce, statecraft, penances & propitiatory rites. High philosophical ideas much nearer to those of the Upanishads are also found.

The Atharva Veda has 6,077 mantras spread over 20 Khandas. This Veda designates God as the absolute not only as Brahman but also by some interesting names like Shamble, Unchaste & Vraatya. The whole universe has emerged out of Him due to His will & is establish in Him. He is the Lord of the whole creation.

This works gives us an interesting picture of the society of its times. The land in which the people lived extended from Gaandhaara ( Afghanistan) to Magadha (Bihar) & Venga( Bengal). The Varna (caste) system had been well established. Trade & commerce were prosperous though agriculture was the mainstay of the people.

The cow was highly venerated & gonna (gift of a cow) was considered meritorious.

Yajur Veda

It is a collection of yajus the mantras in prose which are specially useful to the adhvarya priests during scarifies, the Yajurveda-samhitta is in two major forms the Krishna & the White.

Though the Krishna-Ayurveda-Sambita is said to have had 85 saakhaas or recension only four are available now.

1) Taittiriya
2) Maitraayaniya

3) Katha

4) Kapistala.

Associated with the Taittiriya-sambita are the Taittiriya-braabmana, Taittiriya aranyaka & the Taittiriya –upanisad. The well known Kathopanised also belongs to the Katha reension.

The Sukla-Yajurveda-sambitaa also known as the Vaajasaney-sambitaa is said to have been collected & edited by the famous sage Yajnavalkya.

Ishaavaasyopanisad an Brabadaaranyakopanisad are the Upanisads.

Tirukkural

The Tirukkural of Tivuvalluvar is the most outstanding & inspiring popular work on general ethics, political principles & happy & happy married life. It is the greatest treasure house of wisdom in Tamil & the gift of Tamilnadu to the world. It is on par with the Bhagavatgita & the Dhammapada.

The author Tivuvalluvar is generally assigned to the first Century A.D. He is said to have been a weaver from Mylapore in Madras. The title of the work is based on the Kural metre in which the couplets are written.

The Tirukkural is divided into three sections dealing with the three goals of people who want to live a full life in this world. Aram, Porul & Kama corresponding to the three Purusharthas Dharma, Artha & Kama respectively. There are 1,330 Kural couplets, divided into 133 chapters, each containing ten Kurals in its essence Tirukkural is a treaties par excellence on the art of living. Tiruvalluvar the author diagnoses the intricacies of human nature with such penetrating insights perfect mastery & consummate skill absorbing the most subtle concepts of modern psychology that one is left wondering at this depth. His prescriptions leavened by godliness are sagacious & practical to the core. They cut across castes creeds, climes & ages & have a freshness which makes one feel as if they are meant for the present times. It is a work linked with the life of the people in all its aspects.

2011-08-20T01:55:00.000-07:00

Ganesh Chaturthi

Tithi - It is for 5,7 or 11 Days Festival in month of bhadrapada.

Meaning - Worship of Lord Ganesha the Remover of Obstracles & Conqueror of the Senses & Mind.

Significance - Lord Ganesha is the Remover of Obstracles. Before one sets forth for any new venture Lord Ganesha is worshipped.

Associated Legend -

Well known story of Ganesha's Birth.

Celebration -

The ganesh he ival is the most colorful & happy event in the religious, social & cultural life of India. The festival is celebrated for 11 Days with great pomp and festivity. On the day before the festival the idols of Ganpati, which are in varying sizes designs & shapes are purchased & brought home. On the next day the Lord is welcomed & worshipped religiously. On the 3rd, 5th, 7th, or 10 th day after performing “puja " the idol is taken out in a grand procession to immerse it nearby tank lake or the ocean.

The Immersion of Ganesh only points out that a seeker after purifying oneself after study & worship, the form & relises the Lord as the formless. It is a journey from idol to the ideal.

GANAPATHI BAPPA MAURYA

MANGALA MURTHI MAURYA.

Janmashtami

Tithi -

8 Th days in dark fortnight of Shravan Month.

Meaning-

Sri Krishna the eighth avatara of vishnu is born on the 8 day of Shravan Month.

Significance-

There is traditional among the Hindus, that whenever wicked annoy & persecute the righteous god undertakes an incarnation not only protect them but also save the world from distructions due to their evil deeds. Krishna the incarnation of lord Vishnu was born with this purpose.

Associated legend -

Krishna is the 8 child born to the imprisoned devaki & vasudeva. Kamsa the wiked uncle of krishna killed 6 childrens of devaki. The 7 child was 'Yoga-Maya', who slipped out of the hand of kamsa warned him of his death.

If shrikrishna discovered in our heart the mind & intellect must integrate. Six impurities -desire, anger, greed, delusion, intoxication & jealousy must be given up. One must rise above the spiritual powers. Finally the Lord is born and He 'kills' the Ego(Kamsa).

Celebration -

Devotees fast the whole day, recite the Gita, sing bhajans, chant prayears etc. They eargerly await the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight.

On the next day, 'Dahi-Handi' is celebrated. In this game, a pot of butter/urds is tied up at a great height & young 'Govindas' have to climb up & break this pot, while the spectators splash water on them. This is just one of the ways Krishna used to trouble the Gopi's & eat away the butter. This is a game of great fun & it needs lost of o-ordination & help. This is best example of achieving the goal through team-work or group endeavor.

Raksha Bandhan -

Tithi:

This day falls on the full moon day month of "shravan" (August-September).

Meaning -

This festival is the celebration of a sister's love for her brother,& a brother's commitment towards his sister's welfare.

Significance -

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of human relations. It signifies the importance of love & commitment.

Associated Legend -

There is no legend directly associated with this festival. However, it is said Alexander adopts the Indian tradition & and send's his Queen to king Purushotama to tie a rakhi.

Celebration -

On this In India, the sisters tie an amulet on wrist of the brothers. This is known as Rakhi. They tie this amulet on their brother's wrist so that the brother shall protect them from all the evils that may come during the ensuing year. The brothers commit themselves for this security. The best example of this in our scriprtures is that of Lord Krishna who came to protect Draupadi, from the Kauravas. Commitment is a word given by us to ourselves that we shall keep it up. Commitment comes when one is involved; devoted & dedicated Raksha Bandhan is called 'Avani Avattam' in southern India. On this day, Hindu men change the holy thread. On this day, our coastal areas celebrate 'Narali Pournima'. Our shastrasn tell us that on every Shravan Pournima, we must offer a coconut to Varundev & worship the river, sea or ocean.

Holi

Meaning -

Holi means the festivals of colors.

Tithi -

Holi is celebrated in early spring on the full-moon of Plalgun.

Significance -

It signifies the power of the Virtuousin encountering and overcoming the evil. Italso signifies the acceptance of all the colors that life brings.

Legend Associated -

Hiranyakashyapu a Daitya or Devil was an atheist who claimed that the devotion of the world was to be paid to him alone. His son Prahalada however was a staunch devotee of Vishnu right from his birth. His father was enraged by what he called the apostasy of his son. Thus, he began torturing Prahalada & even made several unsuccessful attempts on his life. Holika hiranyakashyapus sister had a fireproof shawl that could protect her from getting burnt in fire. Thus she wore that shawl and tried to burn herself, and the child Prahalada together. However just as she sat on the bonfire with Prahlad on her lap and the fire was lit, the shawl flew from her with a strong blow of wind and fell on Prahlad. Thus the fire left him unscathed while she was consumed by the fire.

Celebration-

A huge bonfire called the Holi Fire is burnt every year to commemorate the success of Prahaladas devotion and the tragic end of the evil demoness Holika. The next day of Holi a festival of colors. People throw colors at each other thus spreading colorfulness into the lives of everyone.

On this day people forget the bitterness and enemity and make friendship with each other. They play with colours & celebrate this function.

Deepavali

Tithi -

A five-day Hindu festival, which occurs on the fifteenth day of kartika.

Meaning -

Deepavali means “row of lighted lamps” or the festivals of lights.

Significance -

Fill the heart with the oil of love. Place in it the wick of single- pointed mind. Light it with the knowledge of Truth and remove the darkness of Ignorance around you.

Legends Associate -

It is the day when Shri Ram, Sita & Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after 14 years exile. Happiness, peace & harmony come back to Ayodhya- For this home- coming, lamps of Pease are lit. In the day of Krishna killed Narakaasura the demon of sorrow & hell who had kidnapped and imprisoned 16,000 princesses for his harem. It is the day when the selfish ego, which has entrapped all the 16000 thought varieties is killed & all thoughts get wedded to the One Infinite Blissful Consciousness- Shree Krishna Paramaatma.

For this knowledge Lamps of joy are lit. It is the day we harvest the result of our hand work blessed with the wealth by Mother Lakshmi.

Celebration -

In different parts of India Deepavali is celebrated differently. Generally the festival begins with Dhantheres a day set aside to worship Lakshmi.

On the second day naraka chaturdashi Kali the godless of strength is worshipped.

On the third day Deepavali day of the year in the lunar calendar lamps are lit gifts are exchanged crackers are burst.

The Fourth day of Deepavali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time old business accounts are settled and new books are opened.

On the final day (Balipratipada) of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king is recalled. Bali had destroyed centuries old philosophies of the society. However, he is remembered for being a generous person. Thus, the focus of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies.

Vijaya Dashami

Tithi -

It is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu month Asvij.

Meaning -

Vijayadashami is the celebration of victory. It marks the end of war and the destruction of evil. It is a festival of joy and glory.

Significance -

Vijayadashami is among the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar and comes as the finale of the nine-day festival Navratri. It signifies the victory of the good over the evil. Astrologically also this day is considered auspicious to undertake any new enterprise.

Legend Associated -

The dreaded demon Mahishasura was killed by the Supreme Goddess Durga after a ceaseless fight of 9 days and nights. This day thus marks the victory of Mahishasuramardini, and the defeat of evils.

Vijayadashami depicts Shri Rama’s victory over Ravana. Rama along with his brother Lakshamana, follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle for ten days to rescue Sita. On this day, Rama killed Ravana the King of Lanka. It is said that Shri Rama worshipped Shami tree before proceeding to Ayodhya. On this same day, the Pandavas too, took out their arms, which they had kept in the Shami tree and they revealed their identity after one-year of incognito. This marked their preparation for the victorious war of Kurukshetra.

Celebration -
The festival of Navratri culminates on Vijay Dashami. On this day a huge bonfire of the devil is made. In northern part of India, Raam Leela is observed with great enthusiasm. Spiritually the ten headed Ravana represents 10 sense organs to be conquered.

Navratri

TITHI-

Navratri is celebrated through the first nine days of the Hindu month of Asvij.

Meaning-

Navratri is the celebration of the end of the darkness of ignorance & evil. It is said to bring knowledge goodness & bliss thus spiritually enlightening the human mind.

Significance-

Navratri signifies victory over our own minds. Navratri is to destroy the ill thoughts & replace them with virtuous qualities. It signifies the process by which one removes the layers of ignorance & achieves the state of Self- realization.

Associated Legend-

At one stage the Goods felt POW

Earless against the onslaughts go the demonical forces headed by Mahishasura. In answer to their prayers for protection they were ordered to part with a portion of their divine powers to form into a new godless. It was thus that Mahishasura Mardini took a physical form as the combined might of 33 crores of gods. The dreaded demon Mahishasura was killed by her after a ceaseless fight of 9 days and nights.

Celebrations -

First 3 days of Navratri is dedicated to Mata Durga. She is the destroyer of Mahishasura the buffalo headed demon. Buffalo represents tamoguna in us. I.e. a quality of lziness darkness inertia & ignorance Therefore by worshipped Mother Durga we invoke the Divine Power within us to destroy our animalistic tendencies. The next 3 days are dedicated to Mother Laxmi. By invoking her grace we are not only blessed with virtuous qualities but also by Daivi Sampatti & by gaining victory or self control over the mind. Last days are dedicated to Mother Saraswatti who is the bestower of light of knowledge. She removes the ignorance & grants us the higher knowledge of self.

Indian Dance

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Dance Forms

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest dance forms of India. This dance originated in the state of Tamil Nadu & was nurtured in the Temples & courts of southern India.

Traditinally, it was a solo performance by a women. Moment, mime & music contribute in equal measure to this classic dance style.

The complete performance of this dance involves 6 stage known as Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam & Thillana. A bharatanantyam performs begins with Alarippu, an in vocatory number. The dancers skills is seen in intems like Jatiswaram, Thillana & in mime compositions like shabdam & padam. It find its acme in Varnam, the central piece of bharatanatyam recital which needs maximum stamina & emotional resorces from the dancers.

Nritta comprises three elements: A basic standing position, movment of legs & feet & also decorative hand gestures. Timing is best on the beats of equal lenght know as Jatis. Music for this dance is best on important tunes or ragas such as Bhairavi, Kalyani & Kambordhi.

Kathak

Kathak - Came from Katha or story telling.

Style - Jaipur and Lucknow gharana.

Jaipur Syle emphasizes on the technical accomplishments of the rhythmic fotwork and circular pirouettes.

Lucknow style focuses on expressional work and shows traces of Muslim court etiquette. The main theme of both the school are Radha and Krishna.

Terms :

Bareequi - Delicateness of the wrist and eye movements.

Nazar-andaaaz - eye movement and gaze appeal.

Chakra - circular movements that mainfest in multiples of three which can continue up to 108.

Artists :

Kalka- Bindadin, sundar Prasad, Lal brothers, Gangani, Sitara devi, Damayanti Joshi, Roshan Kumari, Birju

Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia.

Manipuri

Manipur, the land of Germs, is situated in the estern frontier of India. The dance form associated with this state is known as Manipuri. The main theme of the dance is “Krishna’s Rasa Leela”.

Lai Haroba or frolic of the gods is the popular expression of dance in the month of May and June.

The love tale of Khamba and Topi are woven in Sankeertan, derived form congregational singing, Poong cholam - Dancing with drums in hand and Kartaal cholam -dansing with cymbal with red tassels are the two disyinct forms of the dance.

Ornamented & starched skits are typical dress codes of Manipuri.

The famous artists include Guru Bipin Singh, proncess Binodini, The Jhaveri sisters & Singhajit-Charu Singh.

Kathakali

It is the mytholiglic mimic dance drama of Kerala.

Kathakali is based mostly on mythology and the themes of Rama and Krishna.

Loud drums are played while the dance drama, depicting the courage of heroic kings and the cunning of evil characters, are performed.

The artist uses eye expressions to convey messages and is trained in body languages. He lives a strict diet regime. The participants - only men - paint their faces acording to their charecters while the greeen is used for the heroes such as Rama and Krishna, black depicts evil, those with beards depict characters like Hanuman and Bhima.

As a distinet form, Kathakali evolved form Krishnattam, Ramanaattam, Koodiyattam, Mudeyyetu and Teyyam.

Well known composers of Kathakali are Guru Gopinath, Guru Krishnan Nair, Gopi of Kalamandalam and Sadanam Balakrishnan.

Folk Dances

Bhangara Dance (Punjab)

The most popular instinctive dance of men in Punjab, Bhangra, is one of India’s popular folk dances. This dance is performed during the Baisakhi festival to the accompaniments and songs of Dholak. The dancers snap their fingers, do balancing tricks and indulge in acrobatic feats. They recite witty couplets known as bolis and out of sheer exuberance mouth meaningless sounds such a hoay, hoay. The dancers are dressed in lungis and turbans. The drummer usually takes his place in the centre of the circle.

Bhangra is a dance in anticipation and celebration of a good harvest and has its roots in Punjab. This exciting and colourful dance is an integral centrestage activity for festivals and celebrations in the Sikh community. Another hallmark in this dance form is the incorporation of a host of stunts, bordering on aritstic agility and physical ingenuity. The song used for the dance is usually a medley of rich folk songs backed by traditional instruments like the dhol (drum), harmonica, tambourine and musical clapper.

Garba (Gujarat)

The word Garba derives its name after a lamp called Garba deep, which means the lamp inside the earthen pot.

It is a circular dance performed by women around an earthenware pot called a garbo, filled with water. A betel nut and a silver coin placed within the pot, called kumbh, on top of which a coconut is placed. As the dancers whirl around pot, a singer and a drummer provide, the musical accompaniment. The participants clap in a steady rhythm. This dnace is performed during Navrati, Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchimi, and other festivals.

Kuchipudi

The dance form, kuchipudi, developed in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Kuchipudi derives its name form the village Kuchelapuram, form its origin, as far back in the dim recesses of time as the 3rd century BC. Kuchipudi dance was originally performed only by men and they all belonged to the Brahmin community, known popularly as Bhagavathalu of Brahmin Bhagavathulu of Kuchipudi was formed in 1502 AD. The themes are mostly derived form the scriptures and mythology.

The technique of Kuchipudi makes use of fast rhythmic footwork and sculpturesque body movements. Stylized mime, using hand gestures and subtle facial expression, is combined with more realistic acting, occasionally including dialogues spoken by the dancers.

The most popular Kuchipudi dance is the pot dance in which a dancer keeps a pot filled with water on her hand and feet kept on a brass plate. She moves on the stage mainpulating the brass plate, with the freet kept on its rim and doing some hand movements without spilling a drop of water on the ground

The make up and costumes are characteristic of the art.

Presenting India

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Presenting India

National Flag –

India National Flag Is A horizontal Tricolour of Deep Saffron at the Top White in the Middle & Dark Green at Bottom. In The White Band is a navy Blue Wheel (chakra). Its design is that of wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Its diameter approximates to the width of white band & it has spokes. The ratio of width & length of the flag is 2:3.

The constituent assembly of India adopted the design of national flag on July 22, 1947.

The colour saffron represents sacrifice-the colour white of flame.

The colour white represents nobility.

The colour green represents prosperity.

The wheel represents Dharma.

National Anthem –

The song jana-gana-mana, composed by rabindranath Tagore,

Was adopted assembly as the National anthem of India on January 24, 1950. It was first sung on December 27, 1911 at the Calcutta session of five stanzas, the first stanza constitutes the version of the National Anthem.

The following is Tagore’s English rendering of the stanza: “thou art the ruler of the mind of all people dispenser of India’s destiny. Thy name rouses the heart of Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat & Maratha, of the Dravida & Orissa & Bengal it echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas & Himalayas, Mingles in the Music of Jamuna & Ganges & is chanted by the waves of the Indian sea. They pray for thy blessings & sing thy praise. The saving of all people waits in thy hand, thou dispenser of India’s destiny victory. The national anthem is playing in 52 seconds.

“Jana-gana-mana-adhinaayaka, jaya be

Bhaarata-bhagya-vidhaataa

Punjaaba-sindhu-Gujarata-marathaa

Draavida-Utkala- Banga vindhya-

Himaachala-Yamunaa-Gangaa

Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga

Tava shubha name jaage

Tava shubha ashisha maange

Gaaye tava jaya gaatha

Jana-gana-managala-daayka jaya be

Bhaarata-bhagya-vidhaataa

Jaya be, jaya be, jaya be

Jaya jaya, jaya, jaya be”

National Flower –

The national flower ‘Lotus’ or water lily is an aquatic plant of Nymphaea species with broad floating leaves & bright Fragrant that grow only in shallow waters. The leaves & flowers float & long stems that contain air spaces . The big attractive flowers have many petals overlapping in a symmetrical pattern. The root functions are carried out by rhizomes that fan horizontally through the mud below the water.

Lotus, prized for their serene beauty, r delightful to behold as their blossoms open on the surface of a pond.

In India, the sacred lotus is legendary & much folklore & religious mythology is woven around it.

Similarly, the spiritual mind endures all adversities with a smile.

National Fruit –

A fleshy fruit, eaten ripe or used green for pickles etc., of the tree Magnifera indict, the Mango is one of most important & widely cultivated fruits is a rich source of Vitamins A,C&D. In

India

there r over 100 varieties of mangoes, in different sizes, shape & colours. Mangoes have been cultivated in India from time praise & Akbar planted 100,000 mangos trees in Darbhanga, known as Lakhi Bagh.

National Bird –

The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus), the national bird of India, is a colourful, swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped crest of feathers on its head, a white patch under the eye & a long-slender neck. The male of species is more colourful than & neck & a spectacular bronze-green tail of around 200 elongated feathers. The female is brownish, slightly smaller than the male & lacks the tail. The elaborate courtship dance of the male by fanning out the tail & quivering the feathers is a gorgeous sight.

The peacock is widely found in the Indian sub-continent from the south & east Assam, south Mizoram & the whole of the Indian peninsula. The peacock enjoys full protection under the Indian wildlife (Protection) act, 1972.

Most interesting think that peacock represents a colourful life.

Male Peacock –

Female Peacock –

National Animal –

Tiger the magnificent animal is scientifically called the banthera tigers (Linnaeus),

The national animal of India is a rich coloured well striped animal with a short coat. The combination of grace, strength agility & enormous power as earned the tiger great respect & high esteem. Out of the a races of the species known the Indian race, The Royal Bengal tigers is found throughout the country & also in the neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan & Bangladesh.

Since then, the tiger population as shown a gradual increase & the census of 1993 puts the tiger population of the country at 3,750.

So far 23 tigers reserve have been established in the country under this project, covering an area of 33,406 Sq.km.

The tiger needs to be emulated to remains alert & shift while working towards our goals in life.

National Game –

Hockey is the national game of India. Unmatched excellence & incomparable virtuosity brought India string Olympic gold medals. The brilliant Indians brought a touch of magic to their play & the boll-juggling feats of the Indians were a sheer delight. The Golden Era of hockey in Indian was the period form 1928-1956 when India won 6 consecutive medals in Olympics. During the Golden Era, India played 24 Olympic matches, won all 24 matches, scored 178 goals & conceded only 7 goals. The 2 other gold medals for India came in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics & the 1980 Moscow Olympics.