Celebrating it Together

'हिंदू, मुस्लिम, सिख, ईसाई, आपस में सब भाई भाई। '

The feeling of secularism is deeply imbued in the Indian democratic fabric. Since time immemorial, people from different religions have been accepted as children of this land, with its wide open arms. However, it is heart-wrenching when at crucial times, religion has been used as a weapon to break the dynamism of this beautiful country.

The essence of Bhagwad Gita, Bible, Quran and other religious texts are the same. They all teach to attain individual liberty, peace, harmony and spread happiness amongst every other creation of God. If this is the teaching of every religion, then how humane it is to cause the deprivation, decay and death of fellow humans just to prove that one's God is mightier than the other? Do our God's really preach intolerance, hatred and bitterness against other religions? These questions have afflicted the entire world for long now.

'Has it really been so long since religions persecuted people, burning them as heretics, drowning them as witches, that you can't recognize religious persecution when you see it?'~Salman Rushdie

Happenings in our country, in the past, has brought these issues to the forefront time and again, shaking the country to the core. The minority, in each state, territory and locality leads a life of fear, fear of being associated with the religion of their belief, fear of being persecuted for following the set of practices which their hearts and minds relate to, fear for having faith in the force that they believe to be their God. 

Religion is merely a system of beliefs, values and practices that individuals follow.  This should never out-step its boundaries to embitter the broader umbrella of Humanity. Our country and its people are not intolerant. We still celebrate festivals of different religions together, with great happiness and mirth. We still have friendly and familial ties with people beyond the borders of our own religion. I feel proud to be part of this secular democracy where religious diversity and religious tolerance are established both by law and custom.

Let this beautiful country not break and shatter into pieces just on the pretext of religion.

Eid and Rath Yatra:

Today is a blissful day as we celebrate Eid and Rath Yatra together.  Eid Mubarak and Happy Rath Yatra to all my dear readers. As much as I can recall, for the past three years we have been celebrating both these diverse festivals on the same day. 

Eid- Ul- Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Rath Yatra is the annual car festival celebrated by Hindus in which the deities Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath are carried on Chariots to their Mausi (maternal aunt's) house. 

Being born in Odisha, in a Hindu family, Rath Yatra is quite close to my heart. So  through this post, let me give you a closer glimpse of Rath Yatra or the 'Car Festival'.

Rath Yatra in Odisha:

Rath Yatra, colloquially known as 'Ratha Jatra' originated in the town of Puri in Odisha which is the abode of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. The festival dates back to 10th-11th century. It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashadha (Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya Paksha - second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month) to commemorate Lord Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (Maternal Aunt's home) in Puri. It is celebrated as a nine day festival in which Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in a procession to Gundicha Temple. After a seven day stay in Gundicha Mandir, the deities return to the main temple on the ninth day which is known as 'Bahuda Jatra'.

The festival is called as 'Ratha Jatra' as the deities visit their Mausi's home in their Chariots i.e; 'Ratha'. Three richly decorated chariots, with the deities adorning them, are pulled through the streets of Puri called Badadanda. Lord Jagannath rides in his chariot 'Nandighosha', Balabhadra in 'Taladhwaja' and Subhadra in 'Darpadalana'. This marks the beginning of the annual journey to their aunt's temple, the Gundicha Temple which is situated at a distance of 2 km from Jagannath temple. After the chariots  return to the main temple from the Gundicha temple, the deities are attired in gold ornaments and worshiped on the chariots. This celebration is known as 'Suna Besha'. 

This post is dedicated to the religious diversity of our country and its people. It is dedicated to Eid and Rath Yatra. Hoping that this Rath Yatra and Eid usher in great happiness and shower God's blessings on you all. 

'Despair not from your Lord's Blessings. If he had wished that you reach the Hell fire eternally, he would not have inspired your heart towards him' ~ Imam Shafi
~ Observing Ramadan at Jama Masjid, Old Delhi

'The Line of Faith in the Almighty, in the Allah'
~Jama Masjid, Old Delhi

'Faith that stands high as the Tomb'
~ Jama Masjid, Old Delhi

'The faith that ties them together'
~Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai

~ Paraphernalia for the Ritual

~Celebrating Rath Yatra at home away from Home

'जय जगन्नाथ। '

नीलाचल निवासाय नित्याय परमात्मने,
बलभद्र, शुभद्राभ्यम, जगन्नाथाय ते नमः।

Have faith and everything will fall into place!

Signing off With Rumi's quote:

 " Knock, And He' ll open the door

Vanish, And He' ll make you shine like the sun

Fall, And He' ll raise you to heavens

Become nothing, And He' ll turn you into everything."

~ Rumi 

Streets of Pune

The main thing I love about street photography is that you find the answers you don't see at the fashion shows. You find information for readers so they can visualize themselves.

~ Bill Cunningham

One of the most lively and sparkly  places to be in has to be, definitely, Pune. The beauty of the city never fails to mystify me. May it be the summers, monsoons or winters, Pune treats people with its evergreen beauty and warmth always. The city which gave birth to innumerable social reformers and freedom fighters still continues to mould and en kindle the youth. The city that stands as the cultural capital of Maharashtra, the hub of IT companies, the ultimate escape for young students, the welcoming home for senior citizens, charms and accepts every individual with its sprawling greenery and beauty. This city, amidst hills, is the ultimate haven for students offering endless avenues to explore, ranging from adventure sports to musical extravaganza and many more.

For the past three years that I have been in Pune, more than anything, the city has just left an indelible mark on me. The city's streets will keep you occupied and give you such a deep sense of independence, serenity and happiness, all at the same time, that you will spontaneously fall in love with it.

Street photography definitely brings out beauty of the place with the untouched rawness of the naturescape. The innocence of the people, the happiness when they meet an old friend, their anxiety on the way to work, the joy on the faces of children returning from day break at school, ladies' gossiping about the most controversial neighbourhood topic, college students wandering around the nooks and corners of the street in the prime of their life, grandparents out on a lovely evening walk, toddlers playing in park, the vendors selling a wide range of mouthwatering street food, all of it can be captured through street photography. 

Such is the power of street photography!

This post brings out a series of pictures that capture the quintessence of Pune in the most mundane routine life.

This definitely will be dear to those who have been in Pune in some part of their life.

It captures the Pune street life and  rewinds the good old days spent there.
~ Senapati Bapat Road

A glimpse of the rich legacy that Pune inherits
 ~ National Film Archive of India

The typical scene in any local transport during peak hours... Yet people are tough enough to face with all their grace!
~ PMC Buses

The heart and marrow of Pune's public transport system
~ Pune Railway Station

Does it remind you of old school days?
~ Near Pune Railway Station

When you are in Pune, a pillion ride through the streets of Pune is a must thing to do. The excitement of  people when they buy a new two- wheeler :)
~Nagar Road

The river of life and reflection
 ~ Mula Mutha River, backside of COEP, Boat Club Arena.

Ah!! The beauty of sunset in the west..
~ Bund Garden Road Bridge

Those un-pruned Bougainvilleas add so much beauty to Pune's streets
~Koregaon Park

'Let's build a Smart and Sustainable City'
Truly this is what motivates the people to keep the city clean and green.
~ Tilak Road

The refreshing sugarcane juice to beat the summers
 ~ Ganesh Chowk

My personal favourite street click
 ~ Fruit Sellers near  Pune Railway Station

Next time, will catch up with more interesting clicks of some other place!

SPIC MACAY Concert

It may sound astonishing but, the fact remains that my connection with music has been even before the time I was born. This was through my mother, who introduced me into the softer yet quintessential part of life i.e.; music. It pretty much sounds like the story of Ekalavya.

I have been an ardent lover and novice practitioner of Hindustani Classical Vocal. 

This love for classical music brought me close to SPIC MACAY. SPIC MACAY stands for Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth. It is a voluntary youth movement which promotes the various colourful aspects of Indian cultural heritage by promoting Indian Classical Music, classcial dance, folk dance, painting, fine arts, sculpting, yoga and such other aspects. SPICMACAY organizes concerts, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, informal discussions, and talks by eminent scholars and thinkers. These programs are hosted in schools and colleges with support of the local chapters of the organization. Established in the year 1977 by Dr. Kiran Seth in 1977, at IIT Delhi, SPIC MACAY now has its Chapters in over 300 towns all over the world. Read more about SPIC MACAY. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPIC_MACAY

My association with SPIC MACAY dates back to  2011 since when I used to attend SPIC MACAY concerts at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack along with my Mother. The after impact of those concerts were mesmerizingly soulful. 

After coming to Pune, my link with Spic Macay was severed. Since my first year of college, I have always wanted to join Pune Chapter of SPIC MACAY. But somehow I couldnot for the first 2 years as I was always trapped into something or the other. But as they say, where there is will, there is a way. I finally joined SPIC MACAY in my third year of college. Nothing can stop the heart and mind that aspires to do something with much enthusiasm.

The last SPIC MACAY concert that I attended was the All night concert at IISER, Pune on 30th January'16, where artists like Sri. Praveen Kumar (Bharatnatyam), Sri. Pradeep Barot (Sarod), Smt. Amritha Murali (Carnatic Vocal), Akkarai Sisters (Carnatic Violin) and Smt.Shruti Sadolikar (Hindustani Vocal) performed. The whole experience of a night long Concert was respeldent. Welcoming Dawn with Raag Bahiravi was the best part of the lyrical and heavenly all night event.

Few glimpses of the all night event held at IISER, Pune.

 ~Sri. Praveen Kumar- Bharatnatyam

  ~Pt. Pradeep Bharot- Candid Moments on Stage

 ~Akkarai Sisters- The Once Child Prodigies

 ~Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar- Raag Bhairavi

SPIC MACAY , College of Engineering, Pune Fest' 2016:

Today I attended the second SPIC MACAY concert of the year at College of Engineering, Pune. Needless to say it was mind refreshing and soul stirring. Today's event included Ustad Irshad Khan on Sitar and Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi who performed Hindustani Classical Vocal. Ustadji rendered beautiful compositions in Raag Megh, Tilak Kamod, ending it with a Dhrupad in Raag Pilu. Pt. Mevundiji sang compositions in suithing Ragas like Shyam Kalyan and Shankara. Both of them performed devotional compositions on the eve of MahaShivratri thus, making the auspicious day all the more soul satiating.

Music is said to have healing powers. I totally experienced it today as I felt relieved, from the pollution driven headache, after sitting through the concert in the eve. For all the Music lovers, you have not missed much. SPIC MACAY concert at CoEP will continue for the next 2 days. There are 3 beautiful performances still awaiting your presence. So you must go and render a soulful hearing to them and must see the Kathak performance waiting for you. 

Dear readers, even if you are not classical music lover, you must visit the next two days of the concert so as to experience the heavenly powers of the same. SPIC MACAY concerts are open to all people and there is no entry fee for it. So you can spend two evenings with much contentment and happiness by attending the SPIC MACAY, CoEP Concerts. Find the program details below:

 ~Ustad Irshad Khan- Raag Tilak Kamod- Neera Bharan Kaise Jaaoon Sajni Bandish

If you want to stay updated with all the upcoming events of SPIC MACAY, Pune Chapter, then follow the linkhttps://www.facebook.com/spicmacaypune/?fref=ts.

Otherwise, if you are not from Pune, then you can be a part of the nearest SPIC MACAY chapter by checking the SPIC MACAY offical website http://spicmacay.com/about

Attending DrumJam at Bangalore

'Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world'
~ Martin Luther

Music is that power that helps us express the unspoken silence. To survive through the turmoil of the world, music comes to rescue. Bob Marley once said, 'One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.' Its not just the musician who reaps the benefit of this soulful experience but the audience also feel the liberating experience. I remember a sage's saying that a musician is the bridge between humans and the Heaven above. Its indeed true. I am sure each one, at some point of time must have felt this connection through music. 

Today's experience at the DrumJam session was bewildering for me. It was a totally different experience. The Community DrumJam is a jamming session with multiple percussion instruments, open to public participation. It was started back in 2008 by renowned percussionist, Roberto Narain and singer/actress, Vasundhara Das. Since then the duo have organized 35 drumjam sessions till date, giving people, a chance to enjoy and perceive the raw beauty of music. As a part of the DrumJam Music Circle, the duo organize DrumJam evenings to create awareness among people about percussion instruments.

Indeed I call myself lucky to be present in this drum jam evening. Everyone around was resplendent with energy and exuberating happy energy rush. In that one hour of participation my spirits were heightened to new levels all together. Even though my hand still hurts when I write this post, due to the extra energetic round of playing drums, but the whole experience has created an irrevocable, breathtaking experience. 

So this post is for the entire DrumJam team who voluntarily render such good opportunity to learn and play percussion instruments.

For all those staying in Bangalore, you must visit and play in the next drum jamming session which will be on 20.03.2016. Do follow them on their Facebook page to get updates for the next event.

For others, if you ever come across any such spontaneous drum jamming event, either on the street or on an advertisement on a roadside hoarding or on a webpage or social media page, you must try to attend one such event in your life and enjoy the spectacular feeling by being a part of it.

Catch up few glimpses of the day..

The Djambes piled up after the session

Colourful Tambourines- Pick one and start playing. 

The joy on people's face :)

The dance begins..

And I got the perks of clicking a picture with Vasundhara Das who is actually a very humble and lovely person with no air of  ' celebrity stature' around.

Smiling Moi and Vasudhara Das

Photo Credits: Amtrips Phtography

Makar Sankranti, Lohri and Agni

At the outset, a very Happy New Year to all my dear readers and followers.. 

It is disappointing for me to meet you all after lapse of a year. Nevertheless, we meet again and this time I'll put a number of posts with random pictures that I click hither and thither, wherever I go.
Since childhood days, we come across different state festivals, either at our homes or in school curriculum. However, we tend to forget about them as we grow up, and get engrossed in serious worldly business around us. So  this post, endeavours to bring glimpses of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. Along with this, it talks about Agni, an essential element of the celebrations.

Lohri~
The origins of Lohri (Lodi or gurmukhi),a Punjabi festive celebration, can be traced back to people's customary ritual of celebrating the end of  winter solstice. It was originally celebrated on winter solstice day, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It is also considered as the beginning of the new financial year by farmers who actually start harvesting Rabi crops after the festival.

Makar Sankranti~
Alongside Punjab which celebrates Lohri, a couple of Indian states as well as Nepal celebrate Makar Sankranti( also called Pongal/ Maghe Sankranti/ Makara Sankramana/ Maghe/ Khichdi/Uttarayan/ Bhogali Bihu and such other names) which is a harvestal festival that celebrates the arrival of the beautiful Spring Season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. This even marks the beginning of new year in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam along with many other states. As per Indian culture, this holy day marks the yearly transition into an auspicious phase. It holds historical and religious significance as it has has its roots attached back to the ancient era of the Mahabharata. Being the festival of Sun God, who he is regarded as the symbol of divinity and wisdom, Makar Sankranti holds an eternal meaning.


A glimpse into Makar Sankranti in Odisha~
In Odisha, which largely has an agrarian economy, Makar Sankranti is  one of the most important festivals, more so for the farming community. It holds traditional cultural significance. It is astronomically important for devotees who worship the Sun God at the Konark Temple (Sun Temple) with fervour and enthusiasm as the sun starts its annual movement northwards. As per Indian calendars, the Sun's movement changes and the days from this day onwards become lengthier and warmer for which we worship Sun-God on this day. People prepare makara chaula, uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame seeds, rasagolla, khai and chhena(Cottage cheese) puddings or kheer for offering to the deities.  Makara Mela (Fun fair) is observed near a no. of temples in different districts of the State. Makara Sankranti celebration is next to the Odia traditional new year Maha Vishuva Sankranti which falls in mid April.


Agni~
A key feauture of both Lohri and Makar Sankranti is setting of bonfire. As in different winter solstice festivals, lighting of bonfire on Lohri day signifies return of longer days.
In traditional Hindu Mythology and its varied religious texts, Agni, the god of fire and sacrifice, of divine knowledge, identified with energy and action, the first emanation and the sacred spark hidden within all beings has multifaceted roles.  Agni is a cosmic energy bundle that powers human beings at mundane level (wherein it helps manifesting food into working eneregy) as well as at the esoteric level (wherein converts ignorance into perfection). Ranging from the sacrificial fire to the cremation fire, Agni is considerd as a means that transports humans to Gods. Out of 1,028 hymns of the Rig Veda, 218 are dedicated to Agni. Alongwith Varuna( the God of  Water and the celestial ocean) and Indra( God of rain and thunderstorm) Agni is one of the supreme gods in the Rig Veda.  
The first hymn of Rig Veda is dedicated to Agni ( Agni Suktam)  which best summarises the power and role of Agni in Hindu religion.


~I implore Agni, the chief priest, the divine minister of the sacrifice, the Hotri priest, the best giver of wealth.
Agni, worthy to be implored by former poets and by new, may he bring the gods hither!
Through Agni man gained wealth, satisfying even day by day, glorious wealth of vigorous kindred.
Agni, the offering which thou encirclest on all sides, that alone goes to the gods.
Agni, the Hotri priest, the wise counsellor, the truthful, the most glorious, may he, the God, come with the gods!
Whatever wealth thou, Agni, shalt bestow on the sacrificer, thine it will be, forsooth, Agni.
To thee, O Agni, we come day by day, bringing praise in mind, O Illuminator of Darkness!
To thee, the Lord of sacrifices, the bright Guarder of the Law, who art growing in thy own house.
Thou then, O Agni, be gracious to us like as a father to his son; stay with us for our welfare!
-Translation of Agni suktam, Hymn 1, Book 1 , The Rig Veda..

 ~Lohri Fire Altar

~ Offerings made to Agni on Lohri. It is a customary belief that this ushers in Good Luck!!

 Happy Makar Sankranti :)

Sources: Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Agni

Happy New Year with Buddha

'With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts'~ Eleanor Roosevelt 

A very Happy New Year to all readers out there.  It's a little late for the new year post but never mind ;)
 

With the new year comes new ideas, thoughts, plans, RESOLUTIONS ( that can't be missed out), new heights of creativity, imagination, strength, peace of mind, happiness and all the endless list of positive vibes. In this new year blog I am putting my most recent painting on Buddha. This art work holds high in my eyes for many reasons. It is the first painting that I am putting forth in the blog, also because this is the first one of the year 2015 made for my very special sister as a new year good luck charm. This one encourages me to touch new zenith of creativity with every piece of art. So this New Year post is dedicated to the  Meditating Buddha.

'Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate your mind in the present moment.'~ Gautama Buddha

Utilize every moment that u live in the year. Do not ponder about the deeds of the past nor just plan the future but focus equally on the present as, the future builds on the pedestal of the present.  Spread happiness all around the year as happiness manifolds on sharing,like a single candle lighting thousands. Discipline and control the mind, seat of all godly and wicked ideas. This can bring good health, true happiness and the ultimate peace of mind. Seek peace from within and stay contended always so that we stay happy. These are the teachings of Buddha known to every ordinary, rational human.But practicing these is only for the strong willed. It is not a post on preaching Buddhism. These are the basic tenets of almost all religious faiths. This reminds everyone of us to make our lives better each day by following them.

'We are shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think. When the mind is pure. joy follows like a shadow that never leaves'~ Buddha

The painting shows Buddha in his meditation under the leaves of the Bodhi tree where he attained enlightment. Lotus flower has great relevance in Buddha's life. These are symbols of purity . It resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. They symbolize divine birth. The colour of lotus holds value in Buddhism. The white lotus depicted in the painting symbolizes the state of total mental purity and spiritual perfection. The red lotus is symbolic of the heart. It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion, activity and all the qualities of the heart.

 So this new year spread some love, compassion, happiness and retain good health and peace of mind. 

I hope to meet you often with my posts this year unlike the last year. Sending warm wishes across..

Happy New Year.......

                                  बुद्धं शरणम गच्छामि ! धम्मं शरणम गच्छामि ! संघम शरणम गच्छामि !

Nature's Colours

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." 
- Hans Christian Anderson.

I am back to my blog page after a hiatus. Course work, end semester exams and much more that happened in last few months.

As Luther Burbank once  said, "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."  Flowers are the best adornments of nature that make it colourful and fragrant forever. Varying from shades of white, crimson, vermillion, yellow, pink, burnt-sienna  and many more, flowers weave a very vibrant and encouraging life around us.

Today's post showcases some captures on streets of Pune. (The names of few flowers are not known. So readers who know may eagerly help me with it). Flowers on this post are not the ones pruned and cared for in people's coveted gardens but, these are truly the gift of nature.

Nerium oleander, commonly known as Oleander
Oleander is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants. More info here.

These Gulmohar flowers are my childhood favourites..
The bright vermillion colour always attracts and allures me..

A rare sight of blood red Frangipanis (Champa flowers).

These flowers smell awesome..

Frangipani- one of the most fragrant flowers in every home..

Fallen dry leaves. These remind me of the saying~
"What comes from the earth, goes back to the earth!"

Bougainvilleas- The most common, uncared for street side flowering plant
embracing our streets beautifully with varied hues.

My pick from a morning walk- Lantanas and Bougainvilleas

Fallen, dried Bougainvilleas, a joyful sight for a wandering soul, a morning walker.

Known as the yellow trumpet bush,yellow bells, yellow elder, ginger-thomas,
these flowers are the national emblem of Bahamas..

Propping out of the fences, these seasonal flowers definitely add  beauty to the season.

Indian Laburnum making a bountiful golden shower..

A sight of  :).. Everywhere it is yellow.

Hope you all enjoyed this colourful floral post.